Survivor. Rebel. Conspirator. Mother and grandmother of kings. Margaret Beaufort was one of the most remarkable and influential women of the Middle Ages.

Margaret was born into a century of conflict. The daughter of the Duke of Somerset and a descendant of Edward III, she was married at twelve; a mother, orphan and widow at thirteen. She rode the vicissitudes of the Wars of the Roses, and two further marriages, to see her only son Henry ascend the throne of England as the first monarch of the Tudor dynasty. Margaret helped to bring about the marriage of Henry VII to Elizabeth of York, a union that helped heal the wounds of a bitterly divided nation.

During Henry’s reign, she exerted considerable influence at court and played a part in the upbringing of her grandson, the future Henry VIII. She was a lifelong artistic patron and supporter of academia. By the time of her death in June 1509, Margaret had outlived by two months the son whose birth had so nearly killed her.

Lauren Johnson’s life of Margaret Beaufort brings its subject vividly and memorably to life. She delineates the decades of political upheaval that were the backdrop to Margaret’s long and resilient career, but also tells her story with a profound and touching humanity. This was a woman who endured the trauma of childbirth when she was little more than a child herself; who saw her baby on only a handful of occasions before he reached manhood; who braved decades of danger and uncertainty, and who succeeded in guiding her son – through courage, political astuteness and sheer persistence – to the greatest prize of all: the crown of England.

‘Not just a biography of Margaret, but a vivid portrait of the turbulent years of the Wars of the Roses. Though Margaret never personally stepped onto the battlefield, she was a constant presence in English politics. Lauren Johnson brings her triumphs and tragedies brilliantly to life’ * Catherine Fletcher *
'Lauren Johnson is among a growing group of young female historians determined to shine a light on the importance and political significance of women in the shaping of English history. In this highly readable biography, she reveals Margaret as she truly was – a shrewd political operator, calculated risk taker and successful dynasty builder. Margaret, as these pages assert, was the Mother of the Tudor dynasty, not because she birthed Henry VII, but because she put him on the throne, and with diligent counsel and unfailing support, maintained his place upon it' * Annie Garthwaite, author of CECILY *
A powerful new biography of a formidable medieval woman, brimming with fascinating details that bring colour and life to Lady Margaret’s world -- Christina Faraday
Lauren Johnson brings the story of one of the most powerful women in British history to life, taking readers on an epic journey through an existence dominated by the random turns of Fortune's Wheel. She situates Margaret not only within her own life and times, but also within the context of the people with whom she interacted. Highly detailed, readers will be captivated by this fresh look at a woman who truly deserves to be remembered as the founder of the Tudor dynasty -- Beth Norton
Rich, absorbing and compassionate ... Above all, Johnson's book is about the power a woman like Margaret could have in medieval England, and her love for her child. -- Alice Hunt * The Times *
[Johnson] does a good job of portraying the mind-boggling complexities of English life during the dynastic Wars of the Roses ... [she] follows recent trends in scholarship by showing us a shrewd, pragmatic noblewoman who was no one's idea of a Borgia. -- Kathryn Hughes * Mail on Sunday *
This deeply researched and highly readable biography is a powerful testimony to what a capable medieval woman could achieve. -- Katherine Harvey * Engelsberg Ideas *
Lauren Johnson's compelling new biography is a detailed and sensitive re-examination of Margaret's life, interwoven with the Wars of the Roses, and a revealing assessment of how women have been judged by history. -- The Duchess of Beaufort * The Oldie *
Absorbing. * Country life *

Lauren Johnson is a public historian and author of works including the critically acclaimed Shadow King: The Life and Death of Henry VI. Lauren graduated with a first-class degree in history and an MSt in medieval historical research from Wadham College, Oxford University. Her thesis explored the impact of the Wars of the Roses on women. She is currently studying for an AHRC-funded collaborative doctorate with Manchester Metropolitan University and the National Archives investigating ‘Refugees, Religion and Diplomacy in Early Modern Europe’. With a passion for restoring marginalised narratives to our history, she has worked in heritage since 2008 and acted as historical consultant for creative and heritage producers including Historic Royal Palaces, Wellcome Library, Sky History, Dante or Die and the Royal Shakespeare Company.