Wonderful Women of History: MARGARET BEAUFORT, 31 May 1443 – 29 June 1509, canny politician during the Wars of the Roses, and mother to King Henry Tudor.
She was bounteous and lyberal to every Person of her Knowledge or acquaintance. Avarice and Covetyse she most hated, and sorowed it full moche in all persons, but specially in ony that belong'd unto her. She was of syngular Easyness to be spoken unto, and full curtayse answere she would make to all that came unto her. Of marvayllous gentyleness she was unto all folks, but specially unto her owne, whom she trustede, and loved ryghte tenderly. Unkynde she woulde not be unto no creature, ne forgetful of ony kyndeness or servyce done to her before, which is no lytel part of veray nobleness. She was not vengeable ne cruell, but redy anone to forgete and to forgyve injuryes done unto her, at the least desyre or mocyon made unto her for the same. Mercyfull also and pyteous she was unto such as was greyved and wrongfully troubled, and to them that were in Poverty and sekeness, or any other mysery.
- Excerpt from Margaret Beaufort’s eulogy
Margaret forgives.
She forgives her father, who didn’t protect her; and the King, who sold to the highest bidder. She forgives her husband, who gets her with child before she’s barely thirteen; and her little Henry, who in being born, causes her unimaginable pain.
Margaret gives.
She gives Henry into the keeping of his uncle, so that he might be safe. She gives her hand in marriage to suitor after suitor, so that she might remain keep her footing in this turbulent court. She gives her blessing to the new King’s children, and to the Queen of the King after that. She gives, generously, of her time and money to the Lord, those dedicated to his service, and those of his children left destitute.
Margaret forgives, and gives, and in return, takes only the throne. A bargain well made; a life of difficulty well repaid.
(Requested by @aliciatudors-love )
