Elizabeth “Jane” Shore was a fiery and charismatic Englishwoman who made a name for herself as one of the many sultry mistresses of the handsome and powerful English king, Edward IV. With her undeniable charm and influence, Jane Shore was one of the king’s favorites, holding a firm grip on the king’s heart and using her power to defend and aid those who found themselves in his crosshairs.
Following the death of Edward IV, however, Jane Shore’s fortunes quickly took a turn for the worse. She was accused of bring a harlot by Richard III and forced to walk through the streets of London in her underwear. She lived to tell the tale, surviving until the ripe old age of 82.
Print portrait of Jane Shore: “Give gentle mistress Shore one gentle kiss the more” (Shakespeare, Richard III, Act 3, scene 1). ( Public domain )
The Early Life of the Formidable Jane Shore
Living between the 15th and 16th centuries, Jane Shore, born as Elizabeth Lambert, was a London native born to privilege in 1445. As the daughter of wealthy merchant, John Lambert and his wife Amy, Jane was lavished with a top-notch education and hobnobbed with England’s elite society.
Her intelligence and beauty quickly attracted many admirers, but her father was determined to secure a suitable match for his daughter. He arranged for her to marry a goldsmith named William Shore. Known for his good looks and financial success, he was 15 years her senior.
Sadly, the union was doomed from the start, devoid of the fiery passion and…
