Portraits of a Queen: Elizabeth of York 

Elizabeth Plantagenet was the oldest child and daughter of King

Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville (Wydville). She was considered very beautiful and had been promised in marriage a few times before her mother and Margaret Beaufort arranged her marriage with Henry Tudor. The marriage would inevitably end the Wars of the Roses and bring together the House of York and Lancaster.

As queen consort, Elizabeth brought forth one of the most memorable dynasties in English history – she, of course, gave birth to the future Henry VIII. Her daughter Margaret married the Scottish King James IV, and her descendants still live on today through the current monarch – Elizabeth II.

unknown artist; Elizabeth of York (1466-1503), Queen Consort of Henry VII; Trinity College, University of Cambridge; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/elizabeth-of-york-14661503-queen-consort-of-henry-vii-134829

ca. 1825 — This illustration was published in . — Image by © Stapleton Collection/Corbis

unknown artist; Elizabeth of York; National Portrait Gallery, London; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/elizabeth-of-york-158157

British (English) School; Elizabeth of York (1465/1466-1503), Holding the Yorkist White Rose; National Trust, Dunham Massey; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/elizabeth-of-york-146514661503-holding-the-yorkist-white-rose-130730

British (English) School; Elizabeth of York (1466-1503), Queen Consort of Henry VII; National Trust, Anglesey Abbey; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/elizabeth-of-york-14661503-queen-consort-of-henry-vii-169934

Alexander, Cosmo; Elizabeth of York; The National Trust for Scotland, Mar Lodge Estate; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/elizabeth-of-york-197159

unknown artist; Elizabeth of York (1465-1503); Christ Church, University of Oxford; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/elizabeth-of-york-14651503-229294

Burchett, Richard; Eliz.th of York (Elizabeth of York); Parliamentary Art Collection; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/eliz-th-of-york-elizabeth-of-york-213744

(c) National Trust, Nostell Priory; Supplied by The Public Catalogue Foundation

van Leemput, Remi; Henry VII (1457-1509), Queen Elizabeth (of York) (1466-1503), Henry VIII (1491-1547), Queen Jane Seymour (1509-1537), and Edward VI (1537-1553), as Prince of Wales; National Trust, Petworth House; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/henry-vii-14571509-queen-elizabeth-of-york-14661503-henry-viii-14911547-queen-jane-seymour-15091537-and-edward-vi-15371553-as-prince-of-wales-219567

Effigies of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York on their tomb in Westminster Abbey

Elizabeth of York has been immortalized on decks of playing cards throughout English history as the ‘Queen of Hearts’, holding a Tudor Rose.

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I like some of these much better than the ‘usual’ portrait of Elizabeth. I note she seems in all to have brownish eyes, perhaps hazel. Her father Edward seems to also have brown/hazel eyes in at least one portrait although his brother Richard’s are shown as blue/grey (confirmed blue or blue variant by DNA). Many writers have described her hair as ‘gold’ but with hazel eyes possibly a reddish tone was more likely than true blond.

My guess for her hair is probably strawberry blonde, like mine. There are varying shades of it. Some are much closer to blonde with a hint of red.

She was beautiful and I agree that she was either blond or had red hair. It is written that King Henry VIII thought his mother the most beautiful woman. It was too bad that she died young. She might have given Henry a little more guidance and appreciation for women.

I enjoyed both the portraits and the commentary. Yes, she was lovely, with what seems to be very prominent eyes, wide open and taking in everything. As one reader mentioned, how sad that she died so young. It seems as if most of the royals never made it to sixty. Thank you for this story.

Men’s Clothing in 16th Century Tudor England

Contemporary Acount of Henry, His Court and Queen in 1515

Lady Margaret Bryan: Governess of Prince Edward