Elizabeth's mother, Jacquetta's family expressed a belief in the legend that the St. Pol de Luxembourg family was descendent of Melusine, the water nymph (seen on Starbucks logo), an ancient European spirit that is supposed to be a very beautiful mermaid, whom men cannot resist. Certainly, Jacquetta was quite beautiful herself, and she and her 2nd husband, Richard Woodville, had an equally romantic love story. A young knight, serving John of Lancaster, Plantagenet, Duke of Bedford, Richard was sent to Luxembourg to retrieve, teenage Jacquetta to marry the Duke. They fell in love, but did their duty for a few years until the Duke conveniently died, thereupon freeing Jacquetta to marry beneath her to Richard and have 14 children, Elizabeth being the eldest. Ah, love! St. Valentine would certainly approve.

Submitted by
Mark William Garris