Margaret of York

Margaret of York (May 3, 1446 – November 23, 1503) - also by marriage known as Margaret of Burgundy- was a daughter to Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York and Cecily Neville, a sister of Kings Edward IV of England and Richard III of England, third wife to Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. She was born at Fotheringay Castle, Northamptonshire, England, and she died at Mechelen (Malines), near Antwerp, Belgium.

The patron of the arts

William Caxton, who introduced the new art of printing into the Kingdom of England and was a staunch Yorkist supporter, counted Margaret as one of his patrons. The single surviving copy of The Recuyell of the Histories of Troy, his first book printed in the English language (1475), has a specially made engraving showing Caxton presenting the book to Margaret. The volume is now in the Huntington Library, San Marion, CA.

Related Topics:
William Caxton - Printing - Kingdom of England - Yorkist - English language - 1475 - Huntington Library

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Of the many splendid manuscripts commissioned by Margaret when she was Duchess of Burgundy, the richest, most powerful and stylish Duchess of Europe, pride of place goes to the illuminated Visions of Tondal illuminated by Simon Marmion (now at the Getty Museum; a facsimile has been published).

Related Topics:
Europe - Simon Marmion

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