The secret 1464 marriage between Elizabeth and the then philandering bachelor, newly crowned King of England, was not a political alliance. Custom and tradition dictated that Edward’s bride would be of noble birth, preferably a princess or a high ranking noblewomen from another European kingdom which would bring foreign alliances to England. This potential match would also need to be a virgin. Historian J.L Laynesmith wrote, “He [Edward IV] had apparently rejected all the prospective endorsements of his kingship that a wife could bring.” To the surprise and the dismay of Edward’s advisors, he married an older, widowed mother of two from a low ranking family within his own country. Edward IV’s reasoning for the uncommon union was described as,
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Edward’s impulsive actions, most notedly his marriage, were categorized by England and other European nobles as “the first major blunder of his political career.” During the courting and consequential marriage to Elizabeth, Edward was in negotiations to marry Mademoiselle de Bourbon. Mademoiselle de Bourbon was the niece of Duke Philip of France and sister-in-law to the duke’s heir. There was also a proposed match between Edward and the future heiress to Henry of Castile, Isabella. Isabella later became Queen of Castile married Ferdinand II King of Sicily and King of Aragon. Not only did Edward marry a “commoner,” he upset many nobles in England by ignoring their proposed matches to foreign noblewomen. Furthermore, the kings of the women he was supposed to marry were upset for suddenly marrying another woman without the courtesy of a warning . It was also seen as respectful to marry a “commoner” while simultaneously in discussions to marry a foreign noble. Also, Elizabeth’s lowly status made it seem as if she seduced Edward into marriage. Because of this, Elizabeth’s reputation was a greedy and power-hungry woman promoting the interests of her own family above the interests of the people of England. Elizabeth’s reputation and the quickness of her marriage was one of the reasons why the Woodvilles were not in good standing with other members of the
Edward’s impulsive actions, most notedly his marriage, were categorized by England and other European nobles as “the first major blunder of his political career.” During the courting and consequential marriage to Elizabeth, Edward was in negotiations to marry Mademoiselle de Bourbon. Mademoiselle de Bourbon was the niece of Duke Philip of France and sister-in-law to the duke’s heir. There was also a proposed match between Edward and the future heiress to Henry of Castile, Isabella. Isabella later became Queen of Castile married Ferdinand II King of Sicily and King of Aragon. Not only did Edward marry a “commoner,” he upset many nobles in England by ignoring their proposed matches to foreign noblewomen. Furthermore, the kings of the women he was supposed to marry were upset for suddenly marrying another woman without the courtesy of a warning . It was also seen as respectful to marry a “commoner” while simultaneously in discussions to marry a foreign noble. Also, Elizabeth’s lowly status made it seem as if she seduced Edward into marriage. Because of this, Elizabeth’s reputation was a greedy and power-hungry woman promoting the interests of her own family above the interests of the people of England. Elizabeth’s reputation and the quickness of her marriage was one of the reasons why the Woodvilles were not in good standing with other members of the