Cecily of York

Cecily of York (March 20, 1469 - August 24, 1507) was the third daughter of Edward IV of England and his Queen consort Elizabeth Woodville.

Cecily was a younger sister of Elizabeth of York and Mary of York. She was also an older sister of Edward V of England, Margaret of York, Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York, Anne of York, George Plantagenet, Duke of Bedford, Catherine of York and Bridget of York.

She was born in Westminster Palace. In 1474, Edward IV contacted a marriage alliance with James III of Scotland. According to its terms Cecily was betrothed to the future James IV of Scotland. This agreement was unpopular in the Kingdom of Scotland where the Kingdom of England was considered a traditional enemy. Later military conflicts between Edward IV and James III would negate the agreement.

In 1480, Cecily was named a Lady of the Garter along with her older sister Mary of York. Their older sister Elizabeth was already a Lady of the Garter since 1477.

In 1482, Cecily was betrothed to Alexander Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany who had recently allied with her father. He was a younger brother of James III and had personal ambitions for the throne. He was killed on August 7, 1485 without the marriage ever taking place.

In 1487, Cecily was first married to John Welles, 1st Viscount Welles. Her new husband was son of Lionel Welles, 6th Lord Welles and Margaret Beuchamp. He was also a maternal half-brother of Margaret Beaufort. They had two children:

• Elizabeth Welles. Considered to have died young.
• Anne Welles. Considered to have died young.

Her first husband died on February 9, 1499. She remained a widow for several years. She was then married to Thomas Kymbe. They had two children:

• Richard Kymbe.
• Margaret Kymbe. Married John Wetherby.

She died a few years after her second marriage. She was burried in Quarr Abbey, Isle of Wight.