Anne of York (daughter of Edward IV)

Anne of York (1475 – 1511) was the fifth daughter of King Edward IV of England and Elizabeth Woodville. Unlike her elder sisters, she was not prominently involved in the political machinations of her family and the Wars of the Roses.

Early Life:

Born on 2 November 1475 at Westminster Palace, Anne's early life was spent in the royal nursery alongside her siblings. Following the death of her father in 1483 and the subsequent usurpation of the throne by her uncle, Richard III, Anne's life was thrown into turmoil. She was declared illegitimate along with her siblings by an Act of Parliament, Titulus Regius.

Marriage and Issue:

Around 1495, Anne married Thomas Howard, later 3rd Duke of Norfolk. They had one son who died in infancy:

• Thomas Howard (died in infancy)

Later Life and Death:

Little is documented about Anne's life after her marriage. She seems to have lived a relatively quiet existence compared to the turbulent lives of her sisters.

Anne died in November 1511 and was buried at Thetford Priory. After the dissolution of the monasteries, her remains were moved to the Howard Chapel at St Mary’s Church, Lambeth.

Legacy:

Although not a significant political figure, Anne of York represents the quieter lives lived by some members of the English royal family during a tumultuous period. Her lineage connected her to both the Yorkist and Tudor dynasties, a common thread among many of Edward IV's children, helping to solidify the Tudor claim to the throne.