Parergon

Abstract:

Medieval queens have tended to be represented as royal wives and mothers, with little consideration for other aspects of their lives, especially the economic aspect. This article addresses this gap for medieval English queens by focusing on the economic roles of two later fifteenth-century queens consort, Margaret of Anjou and Elizabeth Woodville. It argues that these queens were actively engaged in their roles as landholders and administrators and that we cannot fully understand their lives and positions without considering those roles. In doing so, it demonstrates the significance of including the economic perspective in any representation of medieval queens.