Royal: Princess Bridget of York, 1480-1517

Royal and noble families in the Medieval era provided early for their offspring, arranging marriages for their children almost from the time of infancy.  They also provided well for their immortal souls.  Royalty, nobles and the seriously wealthy donated generously to the Church, lands, money, objects d'art, and sometimes their own children.  Giving a child, usually a daughter, to become a nun was a common act of piety among those who could afford the dower.  Becoming a nun or a Bride of Christ was considered a form of marriage, complete with a contract and a dowry.  Just as young women were sent to the court of their future husband to be brought up, girls often found their way into a convent as mere children.  They would take formal vows later.

Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville had much to be thankful for.  Like all Medieval kings, Edward would see his place on England's throne as an outworking of God's will.  They also had a large family, with five surviving daughters.  Their youngest child, a daughter named Bridget, was born in 1480.  Her name, Bridget, reflects St. Bridget of Sweden, another royal princess who had embarked on a career as a nun.  Likely, Bridget was seen early on as a potential alliance with a powerful religious institution.  The convent chosen was Deptford Priory, in Kent.  Edward died in 1483, and sometime between 1486-1492, Bridget, who was roughly 6-12 accordingly, was taken to Deptford to live.  Later on, she took formal vows as a nun. 

Just like any nun, Bridget would have been expected to lead a life of chastity, not marrying or having children as her sisters did.  Rumor held, though,
 that Bridget might have been the mother of a young orphan the convent, Agnes of Eltham, who was later sent to be raised by Elizabeth of York.  Bridget wasn't totally sealed off from the outside world.  She and her sister, Elizabeth, kept up a frequent correspondence.  Elizabeth and another sister, Cecily, donated generously to Deptford Abbey throughout their lives.  Bridget lived until 1517, seeing her nephew Henry VIII take the throne as the second Tudor king.