Margaret Tudor: The Forgotten Matriarch of the Monarchy

As requested and promised, we’re exploring the life of Margaret Tudor today – we’re going to explore her successes and failures, her betrayals and triumphs – she is, arguably, the matriarch of the monarchy!

I hope you enjoy this video and find it interesting!

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Images (from Wikimedia Commons, unless otherwise stated):

Portrait of the Royal Tudors (The Family of Henry VII with St George and the Dragon) by an unknown artist. At left, Henry VII, with Prince Arthur behind him, then Prince Henry (later Henry VIII), and Prince Edmund, who did not survive early childhood. To the right is Elizabeth of York, with Princess Margaret, then Princess Elizabeth who didn't survive childhood, Princess Mary, and Princess Katherine, who died shortly after her birth (between circa 1503 and circa 1509). Held by the Royal Collection, on display at Hampton Court Palace.

“The Princes in the Tower” by John Everett Millais (1878). Held by the Royal Holloway collection.

Portrait of Arthur, Prince of Wales by an unknown artist of the British School (c.1500). Held by the Royal Collection, displayed at Hampton Court.

Portrait of Elizabeth of York by an unknown artist (late 16th century). Held by the National Portrait Gallery.

Detail from a painted genealogy showing James I's Tudor ancestry by an unknown artist (1603). From Jane Dunn’s “Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens” 2003 Vintage Books Edition.

Portrait of Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scotland, by Daniel Mytens (c.1620-38). Held by the Royal Collection.

Portrait of James IV of Scots by an unknown artist (17th century). Held by the National Galleries.

Portrait of King Henry VII by an unknown Netherlandish artist (1505). Held by the National Portrait Gallery.

Portrait of Henry VIII of England attributed to Meynnart Wewyck (c.1509). Held by the Denver Art Museum.

Portrait of Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus by an unknown artist (c.1500-1599). Held by the Royal Collection at Holyrood Palace.

Double portrait of Princess Mary Tudor and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, attributed to Jan Gossaert (c. 1515-1516). Held at Woburn Abbey.

Drawing of John Stuart, Duke of Albany from the workshop of François Clouet (c.1533). Held by the Condé Museum.

Portrait of a Lady believed to be Margaret Douglas by William Scrots (c.1546). Held in an unidentified private collection.

Detail from the portrait of Henry VIII after Hans Holbein (c.1540-1547). Held by the Walker Art Gallery.

Portrait of James V of Scotland by Corneille de Lyon (c.1536). Held in an unknown private collection.

Portrait of Madeleine of Valois, Queen of Scotland by Corneille de Lyon (16th century). Held by the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Blois.

Double portrait of James V of Scots and Marie of Guise by an unknown artist (16th century). Held by Falkland Palace.

Painted genealogy showing James I's Tudor ancestry by an unknown artist (1603). From Jane Dunn’s “Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens” 2003 Vintage Books Edition.

Photograph of HM Queen Elizabeth II greeting NASA employees at the Goddard Space Flight Centre, Maryland, May 2007 - NASA/Bill Ingalls.

Detail of Henry VIII on his death bed, indicating towards his son and heir, from “Edward VI and the Pope: An Allegory of the Reformation” by an unknown artist (1547-the 1570s). Held by the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Quoted texts:

Excerpt from the Act of Succession of 1544.

[maryellencook]

I think that Margaret Tudor had the last laugh. As pointed out, it's one of her descendants sitting on the throne of the UK despite the circuitous route of history that put Her Majesty there. Oh yes, HER Majesty: take THAT Henry Tudor, you duplicitous old sod!

[MasterJediDude]

I believe that Georgie Henley did a great job playing Margaret in “The Spanish Queen.” She gave her the personality that I imagined that she had.

[a.e.rivera-weaver]

I could listen to this lady reading any of those giant books behind her cover to cover and never get bored.

[kimberlyperrotis]

I think the petty reason Henry VIII didn’t like his sister Margaret is that she was old enough to boss him when he was a little boy. How dare she, a mere woman? He apparently loved his little sister, Mary, because he got to boss her. Such were the feelings that dictated his national politics and policy: childhood rivalries and squabbles. Henry VIII, the King who never grew up, mentally or emotionally.

[wilfordfraser]

I first read about Margaret Tudor twenty two years ago. She and her daughter Margaret Douglas remain two of my favorite Tudor characters because they were so interesting and yet not as talked about as Henry VIII and his wives. I always felt Margaret was the female version of her brother Henry. His treatment of her was hypocritical but of course back in those days there was an accepted gender double-standard and Henry VIII was a man with an unbelievable ego. Moreover I think it was sad that he essentially abandoned his own sister.

[niamhcampbell]

I would love an episode on the murder of lord Darnley, similar to the ones you did on the murder of Amy Dudley and the princes in the tower. It's such a fascinating and complicated story!

[petunijadu]

Yesss! Finally. She is, after all the one whos descendant is sitting on the throne. I agree, her life is interesting enough for a TV series. There is enough material for a few seasons. Any producer watching?

[terris]

It’s gratifying that Margaret Tudor’s heirs eventually took the throne of England, considering how badly she was treated by Henry VIII. There is a certain karma to it that is quite satisfying. It’s just a shame she didn’t live to see it.

[Shane-Flanagan]

For a moment, I thought this video was about Margaret Beaufort, the true matriarch of the Tudors.

So glad Dr Kat has done a worthy video on Margaret Tudor Queen of Scots. As expected, it was very well done and very fair.
As Dr Kat says, Margaret's turbulent life would make a good TV series or film all on it's own. Like her sister Mary, Margaret gets overshadowed by Henry and his wives who have been done to death in books and onscreen. Margaret deserves some spotlight. I feel nothing but sympathy for Margaret. She unfortunately has been remembered in negative terms throughout history and unfairly has gotten a bad rep. Her life was dotted with many roadblocks, failures and low points but Margaret shouldered on nonetheless. Not surprisingly, Henry was a less than supportive brother. He and his son Edward may have overlooked Margaret's line in the Succession but Margaret got the last laugh in the end. Her line saw a new house rule in England, the Stuarts, whose descendent Elizabeth II still sits on the throne today as England's longest reigning monarch. Henry must have turned in his grave with this fact and also with the fact that the current Queen is also of Boleyn descent.

[KitOfTheWeirdWoods]

Blimey, I didn't think Henry VIII couldn't be anymore of a prick, and yet...

[KatTheScribe]

Thank you for bringing us Margaret's story. It is reinforcing my current position on marriage - that I never do it again ;-)

[kimberlyperrotis]

I love that you show so much art that I haven’t seen before, even though I’ve been reading Tudor history for 50 years. You’re amazing🙂

[nataliaalmeida-nacillustra]

I've arrived earlier than Henry III's excuses!

[GoneWithTheGail]

Margaret Tudor was my 14x great grandmother! Thank you for posting this!

[curlycrown]

I don’t know why it is so satisfying to hear that Henry VIII’s wishes for what would happen after he died ultimately came to nothing 😄

[YTMe]

I think that despite Margaret's disenfranchisement during her own lifetime, the fact that her direct descendant Queen Elizabeth II sits on the throne of England gave her the ultimate victory after all! Good for her 👍🏿

[ginadelfina]

I never noticed before that Margaret's and Mary's 2nd marriages happened so close together; I wonder if Margaret's second marriage helped give Mary courage to make her own choice for her second marriage. Margaret must have felt so alone when her son was taken away & both her husband and brother betrayed her. I didn't think I could feel any more disgusted by Henry VIII, but I was wrong. I think you're right about Mary's actions in making nice with her brother - I think she realized that her power was limited, and she needed to look out for her son's future. Your suggestion about Henry's final will perhaps not being his will at all is pretty mind-boggling; it's the first time I've heard that idea.

[ginacolvin]

That poor woman, all those lost babies and all those duplicitous men. At least we have our wonderful queen to thank her for. Great film.

[Dawnsdelightsart]

King Henry caused so many problems for those around him.

[Joffar]

LOL When Dr. Kat says, "Well, there you go" about Henry's disloyalty.... Her comedic timing: I'm here for it.