Despite her young age, Margaret’s first marriage brought her closer to the English throne, setting the stage for the birth of her son, Henry Tudor, in January 1457. As the son of Edmund Tudor and Margaret Beaufort, Henry Tudor’s claim to the throne was legitimate, though tenuous. This made him a symbol of hope for Lancastrians, and his survival became paramount to Margaret's future ambitions.
In 1462, when Henry was just five years old, Margaret remarried, this time to Sir Henry Stafford. Although this marriage did not result in any significant political gains, it further entrenched Margaret within the English nobility. Throughout her marriages, Margaret’s primary goal remained the advancement of her son’s cause.
A Powerful Matriarch
As Henry Tudor grew older, Margaret began to emerge as one of the most important political figures in England. In the late 1460s, after Henry was forced into exile in Brittany, Margaret became a crucial supporter of the Lancastrian cause. She used her position, wealth, and connections to work toward the restoration of her son’s claim to the throne.
Her determination to see Henry crowned King of England was unshakable. Margaret worked tirelessly behind the scenes, making strategic alliances with key figures, including the powerful Stanley family, who would play a pivotal role in Henry's eventual victory at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. Throughout this period, Margaret’s influence was far-reaching, although much of it was exercised through her son and the figures around him. She was a master of political maneuvering, and her ability to cultivate relationships and navigate the treacherous political landscape made her a force to be reckoned with. shutdown123