Margaret Beaufort (1443–1509) was one of the most influential women of the Wars of the Roses and the mother of Henry VII, the first Tudor king of England. Born into an important Lancastrian family, she was married several times and became a key supporter of her son’s claim to the throne. During the Wars of the Roses, Margaret worked behind the scenes to strengthen Henry’s position, maintaining political alliances and helping to secure support for his invasion of England. Following Henry’s victory over Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, Margaret became the mother of the new king and was widely respected at court. Although she never became queen herself, she was known as “My Lady the King’s Mother” and played an important role in Tudor politics, religion and education. She founded and supported educational institutions, including Christ’s College and St John’s College in Cambridge, and died in 1509, shortly after her son. Margaret Beaufort remains an important figure in English history for her determination, political influence and role in establishing the Tudor dynasty.