'Sche is but a womman' : the queen and princess in Scotland, 1424-63
As a woman the queen in fifteenth-century Scotland could not exercise authority in her own right. She did, however, possess power. Her power was derived from that of her male relatives and was dependent upon the recognition and acceptance of the political community; as the queen's relationships to powerful men changed, so did the extent and nature of her power. As a daughter, a girl possessed little power, particularly with regard to marriage decisions made on her behalf, but the ceremonies surrounding her marriage and coronation demonstrated her future importance as wife, mother and link in a broader family network. As queens consort, Joan Beaufort (?-1445) and Mary of Guelders (1433-63) shared close working relationships with their husbands, James I and James II. The ties these queens established as consorts with leading members of the political community and with royal officials were of particular importance to their abilities to maintain a role on the regency councils governing during the minorities of their sons. Both queens maintained contact with their blood families and political sponsors throughout their lives, as did the six daughters of Joan Beaufort and James I, all of whom spent considerable time
Downie, Fiona
Queens ; Scotland
'Sche is but a womman' : the queen and princess in Scotland, 1424-63. As a woman the queen in fifteenth-century Scotland could not exercise authority in her own right. She did, however, possess power. Her power was derived from that of her male relatives and was dependent upon the recognition and acceptance of the political community; as the queen's relationships to powerful men changed, so did the extent and nature of her power. As a daughter, a girl possessed little power, particularly with regard to marriage decisions made on her behalf, but the ceremonies surrounding her marriage and coronation demonstrated her future importance as wife, mother and link in a broader family network. As queens consort, Joan Beaufort (?-1445) and Mary of Guelders (1433-63) shared close working relationships with their husbands, James I and James II. The ties these queens established as consorts with leading members of the political community and with royal officials were of particular importance to their abilities to maintain a role on the regency councils governing during the minorities of their sons. Both queens maintained contact with their blood families and political sponsors throughout their lives, as did the six daughters of Joan Beaufort and James I, all of whom spent considerable time
queen scotland woman queen fifteenth_century scotland could exercise authority right however possess power power derive male relative dependent_upon recognition acceptance political_community queen relationship powerful men change extent_nature power daughter girl possess little power particularly_regard marriage decision_make behalf ceremony surround marriage coronation demonstrate future importance wife mother link broad family network consort mary share close working relationship husband james james_ii tie queen establish consort lead_member political_community royal official particular_importance ability maintain role regency council govern minority son queen maintain contact blood family political sponsor throughout_life daughter james spend considerable_time