In the footsteps of Elizabeth Woodville

Philippa knew she would be fascinated by Elizabeth from the earliest days of reading about her. “Her background as a descendant of a family who claim to be related to a goddess was enough to have me absolutely enchanted straightaway,” she said. “It is in the historical record that her mother was widely believed to be a witch, and that charge was levelled at Elizabeth also. This is exciting enough, but it also indicates that people were afraid of Elizabeth's power, and I am interested in powerful women.”

Triumph of a commoner

Philippa believes that Elizabeth's ascent to the throne is one of the great triumphs of a commoner and was considered so exceptional in her own time that one of the explanations offered was witchcraft. “It is really a triumph of unlikely events,” she explained. “How unlikely that Edward, raising troops for a battle, would be diverted by a woman he must have met by chance? How unlikely that he would offer marriage when he knew as well as Warwick that to secure his reign he must marry well, preferably a European princess? How unlikely that even after a secret marriage he would honour his vows? It is a catalogue of unlikely events, and the only coherent explanation is that Edward and Elizabeth fell in love at first sight and married for love.”

“I think she will fascinate modern women in the same way that many historical women strike a chord: despite so many changes in the world, women are still trying to find happiness, manage their children, seek advantage, and avoid the persecution of misogynists. As women of any time, we have a lot in common. Despite the amazing advances in the rights of women (and I am so grateful for these myself), the struggle for women's freedom, independence, and the right to exercise power goes on.”

The unkind treatment of historians

She argues that Elizabeth, like many powerful and effective women, has been unkindly treated by historians. “Some follow the gossip against her at the time that begrudged her good fortune; some point to the alliances she made for her family as symptoms of greed and self-aggrandizement. She gets little credit for surviving two periods in sanctuary, nor for her courage during the siege of the Tower. She is like many women “hidden from history”, and when her role is acknowledged she is often treated with very harsh criticism.”

Although she writes extensively about real life historical characters she would not wish to be a woman of any of these times. “A Tudor or Plantagenet woman was wholly ruled by men: either father or husband,” she said. “She would find it difficult to seek any education, make her own fortune, or improve her circumstances. Her husband would have a legal right over her that was equal to his ownership of domestic animals; and the chances of dying in childbirth were very high.”

Elizabeth's brother Anthony

If there are any male readers who feel that this all seems like some cosy women's club there is reassurance that Philippa is even handed in her admiration, despite the unfairness of society to women. She points out that although Elizabeth took over the role of patron of Queens' College from her predecessor Margaret of Anjou, her interest in education and culture may have been inspired and would certainly have been encouraged by her brother Anthony Woodville. She describes him as a true Renaissance man: spiritual, martial, thoughtful, and innovative. “He brought the printer William Caxton to England,” she explained, “and sponsored the first printed book. He was famous for his ability in the joust and he was a loyal brother to Elizabeth and a devoted uncle to her son.”

Retracing Elizabeth's footsteps

Having written The White Queen,which was published in 2009, Philippa was delighted to be involved in the Time Team project and the opportunity to visit Groby. “This was my first visit, and though I knew that Elizabeth Woodville had gone to Groby Hall as a bride, I hadn’t visited it before, so it was a really wonderful experience to me to see the parts of the house which were still present, and to imagine those that are gone,” Philippa explained. “I found it a wonderfully evocative site, I really loved the days I spent there and I thought the archaeology that was established during the programme gave a real sense of what a typical wealthy manor house would have been like.”

But the best was yet to come for her, a moment when she would feel a connection to Elizabeth Woodville which went beyond her novel. “It was actually quite moving, when we found the clasp of the book, it was like an artefact had come to us through time,” Philippa recalled. “I imagined it was from her book, perhaps a prayer book or a bible and that it had worn loose from the book cover and been dropped on her way to chapel – she felt very close as I walked around the site.”

If this has tempted you to read The White Queen, or perhaps give it as a Christmas gift, you can buy it in all formats : hardback, paperback, kindle edition or audio book. You can read more about Philippa and her books and watch videos on her website by clicking here.

Charitable work in Gambia

You'll also be able to read about, and donate to, her charitable work. Gardens for The Gambia was established in 1993 to provide water for wells in the gardens of rural schools in The Gambia. The vegetables they grow provide school dinner for the poorest children in school who would otherwise have nothing to eat all day, the surplus produce is sold and stationery and educational equipment is bought with the profit, and the children learn the basics of sustainable agriculture.

The website explains that the gardens are planted rather like an English allotment and they grow all sorts of vegetables and salad vegetables. Usually the school also plants an orchard of citrus trees and walnut trees. Often pupils from the senior class of these primary schools will be made responsible for the health of their particular tree. They fence it to protect it from straying animals and they water it every day from the well.