ELIZABETH WOODVILLE, Queen of Edward the Fourth. CHAPTER I. Elizabeth's birth-Parentage-First wooer-Marriage to Sir Hugh Johnes-She gives birth to two sons-Plays the spy at the second battle of St. Alban's-Death of her husband-Her inheritance confiscated by the Yorkists-She waylays Edward the Fourth in the forest of Whittlebury-Wins the monarch's heart-Is privately married to him-The marriage gives umbrage to the Earl of Warwick and othersIt is publicly acknowledged-Her dress-Dower-Coronation-Birth of the Princess Elizabeth-The royal favours heaped on her relations excite the jealousy of the nobles-Warwick's disappointment and chagrin-Robin of Redesdale insurrection -Battle of Edgecote-The Queen's father, and brother John, beheaded-The King made captive-Released-Forced to fly the country-The Red Rose faction triumphElizabeth with her family seeks safety in the sanctuary at Westminister-Birth of Edward the Fifth-The King again lands in England-Defeats the Red RoseTakes the Queen out of sanctuary-Creates his eldest son Prince of Wales. LIZABETH WOODVILLE was born, it is supposed, about the year 1437. Her mother by birth, Jacquetta of Luxemburgh, was originally married to the Duke of Bedford, who, dying in 1435, left her a widow at the tender age of seventeen. As third lady of the realm, Jacquetta was dowered on the royal demesnes, but disregarding the distinctions of rank, she fell in love with Sir Richard Woodville, a poor but handsome esquire in her late husband's service, and who, after his death, escorted her to England, won her heart, and was privately married to her. On the discovery of her marriage in 1436, the duchess's dower was forfeited, but on her petition to par liament it was restored again, and Woodville, who had been thrown into prison for marrying a tenant of the crown without the royal license, obtained his liberty on the payment of a fine of one thousand pounds, and was after taken into favour at court and created Earl Rivers. The duchess principally resided at Grafton castle, and here the beautiful Elizabeth was born, before the marriage of her parents was made public, hence the uncertainty as to the date of her birth. Shortly after the arrival of Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth was named maid of honour to that unfortunate queen. The first lover of the future Queen of England was Sir Hugh Johnes, a knight |