An idea for a new TL -
1) Daughter of York
In late 1482 the conflict between James III of Scotland and his brother Alexander Duke of Albany reached its climax with Alexander joining Richard Duke of Gloucester's invasion of the country.
James and Alexander's relationship had been in terminal decline for several years. Gloucester's victory saw Albany appointed Lieutenant General of the Kingdom of Scotland and James III under arrest.
Many thought the King would manage to persuade some of his notable courtiers back to his side with time and Albany's governance was not much more impressive than his brother's.
One consequence of Albany's victory was he again began negotiations with the English for the betrothal of the Scot's heir, his nephew James Duke of Rothesay, to one of the daughter's of Edward IV (ironic given the previous betrothal had prompted increased disatisfaction with the rule of James III).
In late November Scots negotiators had arrived at the English Court to try and persuade Edward to revive his interest in a Scots marriage. Edward was not particularly willing given his brother's successful campaign against the Scots but was willing enough to hear them out after all the Scots heir was a child and any marriage would be several years hence.
In December though the situation changed and on December 18th it was announced King James III had died "of grief" at his defeat by the English.
In reality the King was almost certainly murdered with the connivance of his brother the Duke of Albany - his body displayed for his funeral bore few marks but it is generally believed that he was strangled.
Many wondered if Albany would proclaim himself King - but when the Scots Parliament met it was merely to confirm the accession of the nine-year-old James IV - Albany still unpopular was as expected named as Regent - however the Scots Lords insisted custody of the young King and his brothers' was vested in the popular Queen Dowager Margaret of Denmark.
The Regent ordered the Scots negotiators to look elsewhere for a bride for the new King and made overtures for possible betrothal's with both France and Maximillian of Burgudny.
However Edward IV cheated of seeing his eldest daughter Queen of France (due to the Treaty of Arras) decided to push the Scots who if as many thought he went to war with France he would need to have negated the risk of a fresh war with Scotland.
He gave the Scots negotiators a choice of Elizabeth (16), Cecily (13) or Anne (7) - if the Scots chose Elizabeth or Cecily he was willing for them to join Queen Margaret at Stirling immediately - he also suggested returning the recently taken town of Berwick as part of any dower.
If they opted for Anne of York she would not travel north until she was 12.
The Regent keen to ensure English support for his rule and a generous pension was prepared to support a suggestion - regaining Berwick might help negate the anger at an English match for the "wee King".
The Scots opted for Elizabeth of York and preparations for her to travel north began to be made.
Under the Treaty of Eltham (January 20th 1483) - The Scots were expected to maintain Elizabeth until the King's 12 birthday, if he repudiated the betrothal at that date her immediate return to the English Court along with any part payment of her dowery must be guaranteed, it was expected the couple should marry when James IV turned 14. The Scots were also expected to agree that in the event of James dying before the marriage Elizabeth would be returned to England along with all her plate and jewels and not forced to any other marriage that disparaged her dignity or that of her father.
In return the English guaranteed pensions to Albany and many of his supporters in the Scots Parliament as well as the first part of Elizabeth's dower. Berwick would only be handed over on Elizabeth's marriage.
Her betrothal took place at Windsor in February.
Elizabeth of York's progression north in early March 1483 is well documented - she was accompanied on the first part of the journey by much of her father's court before being transferred with her household to the care of her uncle of Gloucester.
At Berwick Upon Tweed still in English hands Elizabeth was formally received by the Scots regent.
She entered the Scots capital and was well-received by the populace, despite her nationality, and was formally presented to her future mother-in-law and husband and was lodged in the Royal apartments at Edinburgh castle.
The Royal family and much fo the Scots court celebrated Easter in the capital before Elizabeth accompanied her future mother-in-law to Stirling. It would be here Elizabeth received news her father Edward IV was seriously ill (he would die on 9 April).
1) Daughter of York
In late 1482 the conflict between James III of Scotland and his brother Alexander Duke of Albany reached its climax with Alexander joining Richard Duke of Gloucester's invasion of the country.
James and Alexander's relationship had been in terminal decline for several years. Gloucester's victory saw Albany appointed Lieutenant General of the Kingdom of Scotland and James III under arrest.
Many thought the King would manage to persuade some of his notable courtiers back to his side with time and Albany's governance was not much more impressive than his brother's.
One consequence of Albany's victory was he again began negotiations with the English for the betrothal of the Scot's heir, his nephew James Duke of Rothesay, to one of the daughter's of Edward IV (ironic given the previous betrothal had prompted increased disatisfaction with the rule of James III).
In late November Scots negotiators had arrived at the English Court to try and persuade Edward to revive his interest in a Scots marriage. Edward was not particularly willing given his brother's successful campaign against the Scots but was willing enough to hear them out after all the Scots heir was a child and any marriage would be several years hence.
In December though the situation changed and on December 18th it was announced King James III had died "of grief" at his defeat by the English.
In reality the King was almost certainly murdered with the connivance of his brother the Duke of Albany - his body displayed for his funeral bore few marks but it is generally believed that he was strangled.
Many wondered if Albany would proclaim himself King - but when the Scots Parliament met it was merely to confirm the accession of the nine-year-old James IV - Albany still unpopular was as expected named as Regent - however the Scots Lords insisted custody of the young King and his brothers' was vested in the popular Queen Dowager Margaret of Denmark.
The Regent ordered the Scots negotiators to look elsewhere for a bride for the new King and made overtures for possible betrothal's with both France and Maximillian of Burgudny.
However Edward IV cheated of seeing his eldest daughter Queen of France (due to the Treaty of Arras) decided to push the Scots who if as many thought he went to war with France he would need to have negated the risk of a fresh war with Scotland.
He gave the Scots negotiators a choice of Elizabeth (16), Cecily (13) or Anne (7) - if the Scots chose Elizabeth or Cecily he was willing for them to join Queen Margaret at Stirling immediately - he also suggested returning the recently taken town of Berwick as part of any dower.
If they opted for Anne of York she would not travel north until she was 12.
The Regent keen to ensure English support for his rule and a generous pension was prepared to support a suggestion - regaining Berwick might help negate the anger at an English match for the "wee King".
The Scots opted for Elizabeth of York and preparations for her to travel north began to be made.
Under the Treaty of Eltham (January 20th 1483) - The Scots were expected to maintain Elizabeth until the King's 12 birthday, if he repudiated the betrothal at that date her immediate return to the English Court along with any part payment of her dowery must be guaranteed, it was expected the couple should marry when James IV turned 14. The Scots were also expected to agree that in the event of James dying before the marriage Elizabeth would be returned to England along with all her plate and jewels and not forced to any other marriage that disparaged her dignity or that of her father.
In return the English guaranteed pensions to Albany and many of his supporters in the Scots Parliament as well as the first part of Elizabeth's dower. Berwick would only be handed over on Elizabeth's marriage.
Her betrothal took place at Windsor in February.
Elizabeth of York's progression north in early March 1483 is well documented - she was accompanied on the first part of the journey by much of her father's court before being transferred with her household to the care of her uncle of Gloucester.
At Berwick Upon Tweed still in English hands Elizabeth was formally received by the Scots regent.
She entered the Scots capital and was well-received by the populace, despite her nationality, and was formally presented to her future mother-in-law and husband and was lodged in the Royal apartments at Edinburgh castle.
The Royal family and much fo the Scots court celebrated Easter in the capital before Elizabeth accompanied her future mother-in-law to Stirling. It would be here Elizabeth received news her father Edward IV was seriously ill (he would die on 9 April).