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ENTITY celebrates one of the famous women in history Margaret Beaufort as a #WomanThatDid.

In our ongoing series, #WomenThatDid, ENTITY profiles inspirational and famous women in history whose impact on our world can still be felt today. If you have a suggestion for a historical powerhouse you would like to see featured, tweet us with the hashtag #WomenThatDid. 

Name: Margaret Beaufort

Lifetime: May 31, 1443 – June 29, 1509

What she’s known for: Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond and Derby, devoted her life to putting her son, Henry Tudor, on the throne of England. When she succeeded in this endeavor, she styled herself as Margaret Regina, Queen of England.

Why we love her: Margaret’s first marriage was contracted at the tender age of one, but the King of England refused to recognize it. When she turned 12, she was married for the second time to Edmund Tudor, half-brother of the king. He died while in the captivity of Yorkists, leaving his child-bride a widow who was seven months pregnant.

Months later, she gave birth to her only child, Henry Tudor. Because of her age and small size, the birth took a toll on Margaret’s body. The midwives didn’t know if she or the child would survive the labor. When both pulled through, Margaret was devastated to learn that she would not be able to raise her son. He was sent away to family in Wales and then exiled when he was 14. Because of this, their relationship was sustained by letters.

At 14, she married a third time to Sir Henry Stafford. Though their marriage which was a long and stable one, after 14 years she once again found herself a widow. She then married for a fourth and final time, this time for convenience. Her last marriage would allow her a position in the court of Edward IV and his wife Elizabeth Woodville. However, when Richard III seized the throne, she was stripped of her titles and lands.

Because of this, she secretly plotted with Elizabeth Woodville. They agreed that the marriage of their children, Henry and Elizabeth, would form the strongest alliance and bring peace to the country. When Henry took the field in 1485, he soundly defeated Richard III. Margaret’s husband crowned Henry on the battlefield.

Once her son was King, Margaret was given luxuries not usually afforded to women. She was always referred to as “My Lady the King’s Mother” and was socially independent after Henry passed a law saying that she could own property in her own right, as if she were unmarried. Towards the end of her life, she took a vow of chastity, which was unusual for the time. She moved away from her husband and began a life on her own. Margaret died two months after her son and lived just long enough to see her grandson, Henry VIII, crowned as king.

Fun fact: Throughout her life, Margaret had an appreciation for the arts. She secretly commissioned a book to tell the story of Henry and Elizabeth’s rise to the throne, culminating at the fateful battle in 1485. She encouraged book publication and production, built up her own personal library and served as a translator for French religious texts. Because of this Margaret had a strong appreciation for learning. She founded Christ’s College Cambridge and St. John’s College Cambridge.

READ MORE: #WomenThatDid: Anne of Cleves

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