Elizabeth’s story intersects with witchcraft accusations in subtle but significant ways. She was rumored to have used charms and magical potions, especially in efforts to protect her family and secure her children’s succession. Chroniclers and political opponents often painted her as a manipulative figure who used sorcery to influence the king and court politics.
Though no formal witchcraft trial was ever brought against Elizabeth, the stigma of sorcery haunted her reputation. Some contemporaries alleged that her influence over Edward IV stemmed from “magical” means, a common slander against women exercising political power. These rumors contributed to the enduring perception of Elizabeth as a “witch queen,” a trope reflecting the deep mistrust of women in authority.
Queen Joan of Navarre: A Case of Political and Magical Accusations
Another striking example is Joan of Navarre (c. 1368–1437), queen consort of England as the wife of King Henry IV. After her husband’s death, Joan’s position became precarious. In 1419, she was arrested and imprisoned on charges of witchcraft and necromancy—accusations likely motivated by political rivals seeking to remove her from influence.
Joan was accused of using sorcery to harm the king and his heirs, a grave charge that reflected both fear and suspicion of powerful widowed queens. Unlike Elizabeth Woodville, Joan underwent a formal investigation, though she was eventually released without trial due to lack of evidence.
Her case illustrates how accusations of witchcraft could be used as a political weapon to undermine queenship and royal authority. Joan’s imprisonment symbolized the tenuous position of widowed queens and their vulnerability to charges that blended fear of magic with real political threat. shutdown123