When attempting to write an interesting and engaging work of historical fiction, an author may compromise the historical truth behind the story to attract readers. Usually, authors can be very true to the story behind the person or event they are writing about. Yet, sometimes, works of historical fiction are glamorized to make the story more appealing. The novel, The White Queen, by Philippa Gregory was not an accurate depiction of Elizabeth Woodville's life due to its continued use of historical rumors and unproven facts rather than factual information. In this book, Philippa Gregory introduces Elizabeth Woodville, Queen of England in the late 1400s, and her fascinating story. Elizabeth's life was surrounded by mystery ever since her children disappeared from the Tower of London in the late 15th century, and to this day no one is sure what happened to them. Elizabeth's life was full of rumors, especially rumors about her use of witchcraft. In the late Middle Ages, witchcraft was primarily used as an explanation for something that was out of the ordinary (Baldwin 163). Originally, Elizabeth was said to be a witch because she was a commoner who married King Edward IV (Baldwin 164). Throughout the novel, Gregory reinforced this idea, showing Elizabeth as a scheming woman who used witchcraft as a means to gain and maintain power. At the beginning of the book, Elizabeth uses witchcraft to obtain a ring, shaped like a crown, from the river. This ring was later used during her marriage to Edward IV. Later in the novel, Elizabeth used witchcraft to take revenge on her enemies. In the novel, Edward IV's brother, George of Clarence, amassed an army in a... middle of paper... the Princes in the Tower. Gloucestershire: Alan SuttonPublishing Limited, 1991. Print.Aron, Paul. Unsolved mysteries of history. New York: Fall River Press, 2000. Print. "Queen Elizabeth Woodville or Wydville (1437-1492)." 2nd Luminarium: Encyclopedia Project. Network. January 19, 2014. Alchin, L. K. “Perkin Warbeck.” Ladies and gentlemen. nd Web. January 19, 2014. Baldwin, David. Elizabeth Woodville Mother of the Princes in the Tower. Gloucestershire:Sutton Publishing, 2002. Print.Weir, Alison. The princes in the tower. New York: Ballantine Books, 1992. Print.Gregory, Philippa. "Jacquetta of Luxembourg." Philippa Gregory, n.d. Web. 24 February 2014.Carter, Allison. The women of the Wars of the Roses. CreateSpace Independent PublishingPlatform: 2013. Print.Gregory, Philippa. The White Queen. New York: Touchstone Media, 2009. Print.