The time from the 1460s through the 1480s saw much contention and turnover for the title of King of England. While battles often made the final decisions in such transitions, claims about birth secrets (and even some death secrets) often contributed to the outcomes, as well.
Allegations of affairs and precontracted marriages were used to question the legitimacy of heirs. Such allegations also brought into the controversies the reputations of queens and noble women. Here are a few of those medieval legitimacy controversies, including the women who were involved in them.
