# Queen Elizabeth — Richard III character guide

> Queen Elizabeth in Richard III by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth Woodville

**First appearance:** 0004-act-i-scene-iii

## Snapshot

Edward IV's widow, a mother cornered by grief and politics, who guards her children with fierce, frightened love.

## Who they are

Elizabeth Woodville stands at the center of the court's factional warfare, hated by Richard and blamed by him for every royal slight. When Brakenbury bars her from the Tower, she protests that she is the princes' mother and no oath should keep her from them. Her dread for her sons and her sharp, wounded dignity make her the emotional counterweight to Richard's cold ascent.

## In the story

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii)

Defends herself against Richard's accusations and expresses fear for her future.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Forced to reconcile with Hastings; shocked by Clarence's death.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Grieves the death of King Edward IV and fears for her children's future.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii)

Her sons and brothers are noted as haughty and proud, contributing to the political tension.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iv)

Anxiously awaits news of Prince Edward, laments the imprisonment of her brother and son, and resolves to flee to sanctuary.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

Mentioned as having taken sanctuary with York, refusing to let him join his brother.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Denied access to her sons, the young princes, and devastated by news of Anne's coronation as Richard's queen.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Reluctantly agrees to persuade her daughter to marry Richard after his manipulative arguments.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-v)

Reported to have heartily consented to Richmond marrying her daughter Elizabeth, indicating her support for Richmond's claim.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/characters/queen_elizabeth
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/characters