5. Elizabeth Woodville was considered England’s great beauty back in the 15th century, so little wonder the young King Edward IV fell for her
That King Edward IV of England wanted a wife was only half-surprising. The monarch, who came to the throne in March 1461, was a notorious womanizer. He had a string of lovers, most notably Jane Shore. But he needed a queen and an heir. However, his choice of wife was nevertheless shocking to many in the royal court. He married Elizabeth Woodville in May of 1464. She was five years his senior and had already been married. However, that union to Sir John Grey of Groby ended with his death in battle, so she was free to marry again.
Despite her ‘advanced years’, Elizabeth was still widely considered “the most beautiful woman in the Island of Britain”. What’s more, she was a wily political operator. She used the marriage to ensure the progression of her two sons from her first marriage. The rest of her family also benefited financially from the union. Unsurprisingly, she made many powerful enemies. And so, when King Edward VI died suddenly in April 1483 and her son Edward V imprisoned after the briefest of reigns, Elizabeth was forced to seek sanctuary in an abbey for the rest of her life.