Margaret Tudor, the eldest daughter of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, was married by proxy to James IV of Scotland, at Richmond on 25th January 1502. (1) It was not until 27th June the following year, that the young Queen of Scots began the long journey to her new home.
From Richmond Margaret travelled to Margaret Beaufort’s estate in Northamptonshire, before moving on to Grantham and Newark. (2)
On 15th July Margaret entered the city of York through the ‘imposing turreted Micklegate Bar entrance, which was traditionally used by members of the royal family when they visited from the south.’ (3)
‘On…Sunday 16 July, she left the archbishop’s palace for the minster to hear High Mass. Margaret was dressed in ‘a gown of cloth of gold, a rich collar of precious stones and a girdle wrought of fine gold, hanging down to the earth’ and her train was carried by the countess of Surrey, as she entered the church, which was packed with an attentive congregation of local aristocracy. After hearing Mass, Margaret made an offering and returned to dine at the archbishop’s palace.’ (4)
‘…Margaret went via Newcastle…and Morpeth to the earl’s fine castle of Alnwick.’ (5)
‘This stop allowed her a little time for recreation and, proving that she was handy with her bow and arrow, she killed a buck in the earl’s deer park.’ (6)
Sources
1. Porter, L. (2013) Crown of Thistles: The Fatal Inheritance of Mary Queen of Scots, Macmillan, p.132.
2. ibid, p.139.
3. Clegg, M. (2018) Margaret Tudor: The Life of Henry VIII’s Sister, Pen & Sword History, p.53.
4. Porter, L. (2013) Crown of Thistles: The Fatal Inheritance of Mary Queen of Scots, Macmillan, p.141.
5. ibid, p.141-2.
6. ibid.
