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Margaret of Anjou was a formidable 15th century queen who played a pivotal role in the War of the Roses, the decades-long power struggle between the houses of Lancaster and York for the English crown.
Born in Lorraine in 1430, Margaret married King Henry VI of England at the age of 15. The match was politically arranged by the English, who hoped Margaret would provide strong leadership that the mentally fragile Henry VI lacked.
As queen, Margaret was fiercely protective of her husband's interests. With Henry frequently incapacitated by mental illness, Margaret held significant sway over the kingdom. Her assertive leadership earned her many enemies among the rival York faction.
Margaret's steely resolve and keen political mind were great assets in stabilizing Lancastrian control in England early on. But she also became notorious for her unwavering enmity against the Yorks.
As political tides turned against the Lancastrians, Margaret refused to compromise. She continued fighting ruthlessly for her only son's right to the throne, even as Yorkshire opposition to Henry VI grew.
Despite reversals, Margaret tenaciously led Lancastrian forces in victory after victory. Even when finally defeated and forced to flee England, she engineered her husband's brief restoration to the crown from exile in France.
Strong-willed to a fault, Margaret was ultimately unable to accept the political realities turning England against her family's reign. But her relentless quest to secure power makes Margaret one of the most memorable figures of the War of the Roses.
