Mary of York | |
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Born | 11 August 1467 Windsor Castle, Berkshire, England |
Died | 23 May 1482 Palace of Placentia, Greenwich, London, England | (aged 14)
Burial | 28 May 1482 |
House | York |
Father | Edward IV |
Mother | Elizabeth Woodville |
English Royalty |
House of York |
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Edward IV |
Mary of York (11 August 1467 – 23 May 1482) was the second daughter of King Edward IV of England and his queen consort Elizabeth Woodville.
The first years of Mary's life were spent in close connection with her older sister Elizabeth of York (later Queen consort of England), who was eighteen months older. The princesses were raised and religiously educated together and were accustomed from childhood to frequent moves between royal residences. From time to time, the girls were called to the court, where they were present at the festivities and during state visits. Also, a strict daily routine was provided for the princesses, and special attention was paid to their safety. It is noteworthy that in the accounts dating back to the childhood of the princesses, there are almost no expenses for toys.
In 1469, Mary's father had a conflict with his longtime supporter the Earl of Warwick, who, in alliance with Mary's uncle the Duke of Clarence and the former Queen Margaret of Anjou, had mutinied against the King. Soon Edward IV was removed from the throne, and Mary with her mother and sisters found refuge in Westminster Abbey, where they spent the next five months. Mary's younger brother Edward was also born while the family lived under asylum, and his birth spurred the princess's father to accelerate the reconquest of his kingdom. In April 1471, Edward IV returned London to his rule and immediately moved the family from the refuge to the residence of his mother, and then to the Tower of London.
After the final defeat of the Warwick party and the restoration of peace in the country, Mary and her older sister began to look for suitors. Elizabeth was supposed to be the wife of the Dauphin Charles, heir of the French throne, with Mary as a replacement for her older sister in case of her premature death or other obstacle to marriage. In 1481, the Danish prince Frederick, Duke of Holstein and Schleswig (later King Frederick I) was supposed to be Mary's fiancé, but when negotiations were underway for marriage, she fell seriously ill and died.