Book Review: Sisters of Richard III by Sarah J. Hodder

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5 stars)

A fascinating and engaging look into the overlooked lives of three Plantagenet women—Anne, Elizabeth, and Margaret of York. The author offers a well-researched and accessible account of their roles during the Wars of the Roses, shedding light on the lives of women whose stories have long remained in the background.

My Thoughts

I came across Sisters of Richard III almost by accident, intrigued by the title and wondering how many sources there could possibly be on these lesser-known medieval women. Having recently developed an interest in English and British monarchs, I decided to give it a go. I’m not a historian—just a curious reader with a background in social sciences—so I read this for entertainment rather than academic insight.

That said, I really enjoyed the book. It drew me in with an excellent overview of the period, stretching from Edward II to Henry VI, and offering just enough background to make sense of the Wars of the Roses without becoming overwhelming. I’d only been vaguely familiar with the era before, but Hodder's focus on the family of the Duke of York—and especially the sisters of Richard III and Edward IV—made this period come alive in a new way.

Anne of York

Anne, the eldest daughter, fascinated me. Married to the Duke of Exeter, a staunch Lancastrian, her life was clearly difficult—yet she somehow managed to divorce him, which was astonishing for the time. She held onto her title of Duchess of Exeter and remarried Thomas St. Leger, seemingly finding happiness before her untimely death in 1476.

One detail I found truly moving was that her DNA, passed through an unbroken female line of descendants, helped identify the remains of Richard III in 2013—more than 500 years after her death. That connection across centuries really stuck with me.

Elizabeth of York

Elizabeth, the second surviving daughter, married John de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, and had eleven children. There’s very little recorded about her, but considering how important her children became in the Tudor period, I like to think she was a strong family supporter behind the scenes—even if that’s just speculation on my part.

Margaret of York

Margaret, the youngest, remained unmarried until her brother Edward became king, making her a valuable diplomatic match. She married Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, and went on to become a powerful and influential figure there. Even after Charles’s death, she stayed in Burgundy, supported her stepdaughter Mary, and remained deeply involved in English politics. She supported Perkin Warbeck’s claim to the English throne, even though she might have known he was just an imposter, but was possibly hoping to restore Plantagenet power by any means available to her.

Margaret’s love of books and her impressive personal library made her especially relatable to me. I loved that detail—women like her rarely get credit for intellectual influence, and Hodder gives her due.

Final Thoughts

This book is definitely sympathetic to the Yorkist family, and the author leans into that affection at times. I didn’t mind—I leaned right along with her. But if you’re looking for a highly neutral take, it’s something to be aware of.

While the scarcity of records about women from this period can be frustrating, Hodder makes the most of what exists. Her narrative is engaging, thoughtful, and well-paced. I came away with a new appreciation for the complexity of the women in this family, who often played significant roles behind the scenes—even if their contributions haven’t always been well-documented.

If you’re a fan of Plantagenet or Tudor history and want a fresh perspective, especially one centered on the women often left out of the main narrative, this book is absolutely worth your time.