Margaret of Anjou
Margaret of Anjou Story:
Margaret was born in Anjou France on March 23rd, 1430. She was the daughter of Rene Anjou. (1)When she was 14, she was marry to King Henry VI and was crowned a year later. Her marriage symbolize almost like a peace treaty between two countries. The terms of the marriage were that she wasn't allowed to ask money or even get money from the king instead she received the lands of Maine and Anjo from the English. (2) The couple conceived a son who was named Edward. Sadly, in 1453, at the age of 32 Henry VI began to exhibit signs of mental illness which caused him to go into a comma.(2)War of the Roses:
This war was fought between two rival families: The House of Lancaster and The House of York. Margaret, she took control of the country and led the fight against Henry's enemies.(3) In May 1455, dispute erupted into armed conflict with a Yorkist victory over the Lancastrians. Richard of York controlled the government until Margaret threw him from power in 1456.(1) She upheld her son’s claim to the royal succession and refused to accept the compromise by York. Surprisingly, her people killed York and freed the king from captivity. Later in her life, her son was killed and soon afterward her husband was murdered. She returned to France, where she died in poverty.
At this time, Margaret wasn't adhering to the society gender norms. When her husband was in the hospital the right thing would have been to stay physical in the room and not fight in the war, but she chose to fight to protect the throne. However, she was protective over her son goal. Like she went out of her way to make sure her son upheld his goal and that was being the next king after his father died.
Every mother would want to make their child goal or dream in life come true, like they want to see them succeed in life.
However, in my life when I came out my mom said I wont be able to succeed in my goal because of the fact I am gay. So hearing that did hurt me but now that I am older, I know its not true and just wishing she would still support my dream.
Workcited:
1. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Margaret of Anjou.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 21 Aug. 2018, www.britannica.com/biography/Margaret-of-Anjou-queen-of-England.
2. “English Alonarchs.” Margaret of Anjou., 2004, www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/plantagenet_26.html.
3.“Middle Ages.” Ducksters Educational Site, 2018, www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages/wars_of_the_roses.php.
Serena, although I know some history of the War of the Roses, Margaret of Anjou wasn't someone I knew much about aside from her name. In the stories of warrior women, it is always interesting to hear their motives for fighting, especially since someone in Margaret's position could have chosen to defer or not uphold her son's claim for the throne. It says something of ambition and honor that she acted as she did, especially for her time.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me that Margaret of Anjou was married at the young age of 14! I have never heard of her before so it was interesting to learn a little bit about her in your blog. It seems to me that she had a complicated life while she was married with her husband being in a comma and then Richard of York trying to take over the thrown due to her husbands illness. She not only looks after her husband but fights to keep the thrown in their family's name. Margaret defiantly fits the definition of being a warrior woman, losing her son and later her husband being murdered.
ReplyDeleteYour dreams and goals will come true, don't worry! Just keep working hard and everything will be okay! :)
I had never heard of Margaret of Anjou before your post, but I found her to be very interesting. I loved how she left her husband to protect the throne and did not just sit back. I also can't believe that she got married at just age 14, that must've been a scary time for her. Being able to survive without her husband and son also helped form her into a warrior woman.
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