Here’s a little tongue and cheek about how King Richard III’s wife, Anne Neville, got to the top.
Get Your Dream Career
By Anne Neville Queen Anne, Beloved Consort of King Richard III
I grew up an heiress and was temporarily Princess of Wales. After my first husband and father died in battle, I lost everything. I know I should be grateful that the king let me live with my sister and brother-in-law, (who’s the king’s little brother). So, see I was trapped by powerful men and family. It was impossible to break away. But I knew I had to in order to fulfill my dreams as an heiress who would have it all.
- Know Your Goals
Even after I became a complete nobody, I still had the mindset as a queen. That mindset led me to fight for dreams. I wasn’t about to let my brother-in-law send me to a convent so he could take my inheritance. I had to accomplish my goals and went about doing research. I discovered my best ally would be the little brother of my brother-in-law, Richard Gloucester. His status was high. Plus, his relationship status was single. - Network
However you want to do it, get the word out. Be on the lookout! Whenever I was with my sister in public, I looked presentable. Yet, she and my brother-in-law kept a close watch on me.
My prayers were answered during the holiday celebrations of 1471-72. I had made official contact with Richard. After shortly recounting celebrations we shared as children, I stopped small talk so we could just talk business. I told him I knew he needed money and would be happy to help if he signed a marital contact. He said he was relieved because he had been too shy to ask about the monetary/matrimony contact. On his part he said he would have the King invite my sister and brother-in-law to a mandatory banquet and he would personally deliver me out of the house where I had been a well-dressed prisoner. - Follow- Through
You’ll know you’ve picked the right business partner if he is as motivated as you are. Richard picked me up, and there was family drama that followed within the next couple months. I got some of my wealth back, and as a bonus, got a baby. - Repeat Steps 1-3
I still had the queen mindset after I married Richard. When the king died, Richard and I researched through many channels, and found the king’s children were not allowed to rule. After the tedious paperwork, Richard and I finally had our joint coronation.
Sincerely,
Your Majesty Queen Anne
©Sarah Patten, 2019
Featured Image: Richard III and Anne Neville stained glass image in Cardiff Castle, UK.