margaret of anjou: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal (historical, academic)
Quick answer
What does “margaret of anjou” mean?
Proper noun referring to the historical figure, Queen of England from 1445 to 1461 as the wife of King Henry VI, and a major player in the Wars of the Roses.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Proper noun referring to the historical figure, Queen of England from 1445 to 1461 as the wife of King Henry VI, and a major player in the Wars of the Roses.
Often used as a symbol of political cunning, female agency in medieval politics, Lancastrian resilience, or catastrophic queenship.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally recognized in historical contexts. May feature more prominently in UK history curricula.
Connotations
In the UK, associated with national history and Shakespeare ('Henry VI, Parts 1-3'). In the US, primarily known in academic or enthusiast circles.
Frequency
Very low in everyday speech. Higher frequency in UK educational/historical media.
Grammar
How to Use “margaret of anjou” in a Sentence
[Margaret of Anjou] + verb (e.g., led, fought, opposed)the + legacy/role/influence + of + [Margaret of Anjou]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “margaret of anjou” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To 'Margaret of Anjou' a situation is to fight for a lost cause with fierce determination. (Very rare, non-standard)
adjective
British English
- His approach was Margaret-of-Anjou-esque in its relentless aggression. (Non-standard)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Central figure in 15th-century English history, Wars of the Roses studies, gender and monarchy studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used outside historical discussion.
Technical
Used in historiography, literary criticism of Shakespeare's history plays.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “margaret of anjou”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “margaret of anjou”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “margaret of anjou”
- Misspelling 'Anjou' as 'Anju' or 'Anjew'.
- Incorrectly calling her 'Princess' Margaret.
- Using it as a common noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, she was born in the Duchy of Lorraine and was a princess of the House of Valois-Anjou, making her French by birth.
It's a later, derogatory epithet highlighting her perceived ferocity and relentless pursuit of power for her son, often used in Shakespearean and popular depictions.
After the final Lancastrian defeat, she was captured, ransomed to the French, and died in poverty in Anjou in 1482.
Yes, she is a major character in William Shakespeare's trilogy 'Henry VI, Parts 1, 2, and 3' and also appears in 'Richard III'.
Proper noun referring to the historical figure, Queen of England from 1445 to 1461 as the wife of King Henry VI, and a major player in the Wars of the Roses.
Margaret of anjou is usually formal (historical, academic) in register.
Margaret of anjou: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːɡ(ə)rɪt əv ˈɒnʒuː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːrɡ(ə)rɪt əv ˈɑːnʒuː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Margaret of Anjou strategy (implies ruthless, militant political maneuvering)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Margaret of ANjou fought for her ANcestry's claim; her story is ANchored in the Wars of the Roses.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL POWER IS A BATTLEFIELD (she is a commander); FEMALE AMBITION IS DANGEROUS/UNNATURAL (a period trope).
Practice
Quiz
Margaret of Anjou was queen consort to which English king?