In 1486, Henry and Elizabeth marriage reconciled the warring Houses of Lancaster and York -The War of the Roses- and their reign started a new dynasty: The Tudors. Though their union was born from political necessity, they fell in love and it became a love story during 17 years. They appear to have cared and been devoted to each other. Elizabeth did not exercise political influence but she was kind, generous even with servants, and beautiful. She shared the passion of hunting and archery with Henry who was a caring husband and father, unusual for the era. They had 7 children, 4 lived past childhood but their older son’s death, Arthur, heir of the throne, caused the couple to break down in grief, particularly Henry. Elizabeth comforted him, saying that God had left him with a son (Henry 8) and two daughters and that they can have more children.
But Elizabeth died at age 37, weakened by her last childbirth in 1503. Her agony lasted 9 days during which Henry never left her bedside. He was devasted, and appeared to deeply mourn her death; according to one account, he “privily departed to a solitary place during days and would no man should resort unto him”. Despite his reputation for thrift, he spared no expense for her funeral; she was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Henry never remarried, though it might have been advantageous diplomatically to do so with alliances and died a widower in 1509. He was buried beside Elizabeth.
