History Extra podcast Margaret Beaufort: life of the week
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Dec 9, 2025 Lauren Johnson, a historian and author, brings to life Margaret Beaufort, the formidable mother of Henry VII. They explore her tumultuous upbringing during the Hundred Years' War and her strategic marriages, all while emphasizing her political acumen. Johnson reveals how Margaret’s agency influenced Henry's path and her vital role in financing his claim at Bosworth. They also discuss her legacy, including her patronage of education and her remarkable independence as 'Henry's mother.'
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Complicated Royal Inheritance
- Margaret Beaufort inherited a complex royal claim as an illegitimate Beaufort descendant of Edward III.
- Her father's disgrace and long captivity shaped her early vulnerability and ambition.
Widowed And Pregnant At Thirteen
- At 12 Margaret married Edmund Tudor and was pregnant almost immediately before he died.
- She was left widowed and isolated at 13, a traumatic start to her adult life.
Agency In Childhood Marriages
- Margaret asserted agency over child marriages, describing a vision and choosing Edmund Tudor herself.
- She repeatedly seized control of her destiny after each personal crisis.
