1. I am Elizabeth Wydville, Queen consort to Edward IV. I'm the mother of Prince Edward, the Duke of York, Elizabeth of York, as well as about nine others (two from a previous marriage to Sir John Grey). Although I was not born into a family with a status necessarily fit to marry I king, I somehow managed. I will note that he chose to marry me and not another mistress. I was once a lady in waiting to Margaret of Anjou (a.k.a. crazy Queen Margaret). Oh, how the tables have turned! I'm a mother, then a queen, then a wife.
2. I live among the other royal people of England
3. It's a time of unfortunate uncertainty after too short a period of peace. My husband managed to ascend to the throne and tried to bring England together, but his illness, as well as certain plots and divisions, has split us all into arguing factions.
4. Thankfully I have my children and siblings to surround me. They also defend me against the Duke of Gloucester's faction, who can never let me be. Even with my family for protection and support there is a feeling of decay all around. Even the comforts and benefits of being queen sometimes fall short of being able to reassure me.
5. Just as things were looking up they've started to go to pieces again. It just seems to me that if one works one's way up to being queen, and then selflessly labors for the advancement of one's family for security and power, one should be able to enjoy it just a little longer. The House of York is in power after my husband defeated the Lancastrian, king Henry VI. The time of peace is ending as my husband falls ill and my brother Gloucester broods and threatens us.
6. Being queen puts me in a superiour relationship to most people in the play (save the King, of course). My family is in power, and I am prepared to one day be the Queen Mother. I love my children more than anything, especially Prince Edward. My husband not so much. I really think our children take after me. I don't particularly care for his family, and I don't see why his mother had to disapporve of me so. Richard frightens me, Margaret's just a nuisance, and sometimes I think my family are the only reasonable people around. Unfortunately when stoopy poopy Richard comes to power it puts me in a position of instability. I at least have some salvation at the very end when my daughter, Elizabeth, marries with Richmond.
7. I want power. I'd be King if I could (I am smarter than Edward, after all). I want people to admire me, so that I may speak freely whenever I wish and still have their respect and sympathy. The power I have now is so fragile I feel like I need more security. I want to be recognized for my accomplishments in gaining status an bearing such gifted children. By the end I just want stability again, and I want all of Richard's faction dead.
8. First of all, I'm a woman. There's only so much I'm allowed to do. Thankfully I can take comfort in knowing I produced sons that will one day possibly have what I can not. Even that comes to nothing, though, when they are killed. With a sick husband and a cruel brother-in-law my position is at stake and I've got no security. With Richard there to murder my children and rob me of power it's almost impossible to achieve my goals.
9. I have to put my trust in others to get what I want. At first I count on my son being crowned (which would mean I could try to rule through him), but meanie head Richard foils that plan. Later my only hope is to be allowed to stay in the castle (alive) long enough for him to fall from power. I have to try and put up with him until I realize I can use my daughter (who is also a potential solution should she stay safe) to bargain with him.
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