On April 23, 1445, King Henry VI of England married Margaret of Anjou in a union arranged to secure a truce in the Hundred Years' War. The alliance, part of the Treaty of Tours, brought a temporary peace but later fueled factional strife in England as Margaret became a key political player. It occurred during a period of English decline in France and internal instability under the weak Henry VI. The marriage highlighted dynastic politics, diplomacy, and the role of queens in medieval power struggles.

The turbulent reign and Wars of the Roses that followed inspired Shakespeare's history plays, including portrayals of Margaret as a formidable figure in 'Henry VI' parts. Courtly and political poetry of the era reflected themes of alliance, betrayal, and civil strife. Margaret's influence contributed to the rich chronicle tradition and dramatic literature that documented the period's upheavals, shaping English literary depictions of monarchy, gender, and power for centuries and providing context for poets exploring national identity and conflict.