Biography of Isabella of France Queen Consort England 1295-1358

On 16th August 1284 [her father] Philip IV King France (age 16) and [her mother] Joan Blois I Queen Navarre (age 11) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Henry I King Navarre and [her grandmother] Blanche Capet Queen Navarre (age 36). He the son of [her grandfather] King Philip III of France (age 39) and [her grandmother] Isabella Barcelona Queen Consort France. They were second cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

In 1295 Isabella of France Queen Consort England was born to Philip IV King France (age 26) and Joan Blois I Queen Navarre (age 21). Coefficient of inbreeding 2.10%.

On 2nd April 1305 [her mother] Joan Blois I Queen Navarre (age 32) died.

In 1312 [her brother-in-law] Thomas of Brotherton 1st Earl Norfolk (age 11) was created 1st Earl Norfolk.

On 13th November 1312 [her son] King Edward III of England was born to [her husband] King Edward II of England (age 28) and Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 17) at Windsor Castle [Map]. He was christened on 17th November 1312 with Archbishop Walter Reynolds being one of his godfathers. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.16%.

On 29th November 1314 [her father] Philip IV King France (age 46) died. On 29th November 1314 His son [her brother] Louis (age 25) succeeded X King France: Capet. Margaret of Burgundy Queen Consort France (age 24) by marriage Queen Consort of France although she was in prison for adultery at the time and died four months later.

On 10th February 1316 [her brother-in-law] Thomas of Brotherton 1st Earl Norfolk (age 15) was appointed Earl Marshal.

On 15th August 1316 [her son] John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall was born to [her husband] King Edward II of England (age 32) and Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 21) at Eltham Palace, Kent [Map]. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.16%.

Letters. 10th October 1316. Letter XXIII. Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 21) to her nephew [her son] John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall.

Most dear and beloved nephew,.

We have well understood what you have sent us word by your letters; and, as to our estate, we give you to know that we are even in great trouble of heart, but, considering the condition we are in, we were in good health of body at the setting forth of these letters, which our Lord ever grant to you. Dearest nephew, we pray you that you will leave off all excuses, and come to the king our son in the best manner you can, and as he commands you more fully by his letters. For you well know, dearest nephew, if you come not, considering the necessity that now exists, it will be greatly talked of, and will be a great dishonour to you. Wherefore make an effort to come at this time as hastily as you can, and you know well, dearest nephew, that we shall ever be ready to counsel you as well as we can in all things that shall be to your honour and profit. Most dear and beloved nephew, our Lord have you in his keeping. Given at Nottingham [Map], the 10th day of October.

On 18th June 1318 [her daughter] Eleanor of Woodstock Plantagenet was born to [her husband] King Edward II of England (age 34) and Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 23) at Woodstock Palace, Oxfordshire [Map]. She was named for her paternal grandmother Eleanor of Castile. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.16%.

In 1321 [her brother-in-law] Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent (age 19) was created 1st Earl Kent.

On 5th July 1321 [her daughter] Joan of the Tower Queen Consort Scotland was born to [her husband] King Edward II of England (age 37) and Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 26) at the Tower of London [Map]. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.16%.

In October 1321 Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere (age 34) refused entry to Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 26) at Leeds Castle, Kent [Map].

On 19th May 1322 [her brother] Charles IV King France I King Navarre (age 27) and Blanche of Burgundy Queen Consort France (age 25) marriage annulled as a consequence of her adultery. In 1313 Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 27) gave gifts of coin-purses to her sisters-in-law Blanche of Burgundy Queen Consort France and Margaret of Burgundy Queen Consort France. The coin-purses were subsequently seen by Isabella to be in the possession of the Norman knights Gautier and Philippe d'Aunay. When Isabella visited her father [her father] Philip IV King France again in 1314 she informed him she suspected the two sisters to be having affairs with the two knights. The two knights were arrested, confessed to adultery under torture, and were executed. The two women were sentenced to life imprisonment at Château Gaillard [Map]. Margaret's husband [her brother] Louis X King France I Navarre became King in Nov 1314 whilst she was in prison; she became Queen of France by marriage. Somewhat conveniently she died five months later. Blanche of Burgundy Queen Consort France remained in prison until her husband Charles IV King France I King Navarre became King in 1322 at which time he had their marriage annulled.

In August 1323 Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 36) escaped to France and to Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 28) at Tower of London [Map].

In 1325 [her brother-in-law] Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent (age 23) and Margaret Wake Countess Kent (age 27) were married. She by marriage Countess Kent. He the son of King Edward I of England and [her aunt] Margaret of France Queen Consort England. They were half second cousin twice removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King John of England.

Before 12th October 1326 [her brother-in-law] Thomas of Brotherton 1st Earl Norfolk (age 26) and Alice Hales Countess Norfolk were married. She by marriage Countess Norfolk. He the son of King Edward I of England and [her aunt] Margaret of France Queen Consort England.

After 1330 Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 35) lived at Castle Rising Castle [Map].

In May 1332 [her son-in-law] Reginald "Black" II Duke Guelders (age 37) and [her daughter] Eleanor of Woodstock Plantagenet (age 13) were married at Nijmegen [Map]. She by marriage Duchess Guelders. His second marriage; he had four daughters from his first marriage. He subsequently sent her from court to Deventer Abbey [Map] in 1336 under the pretext that she had leprosy. He subsequently tried to annul the marriage but she contested the annulment by proving she wasn't a leper. The difference in their ages was 23 years. She the daughter of [her former husband] King Edward II of England and Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 37). He the son of Reginald I Count Guelders and Margaret Dampierre Duchess Gueders. They were second cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Stephen I England.

On 30th September 1336 [her son] John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall (age 20) died at Perth [Map]. Earl Cornwall extinct. He was buried at the east side of the doorway to the Chapel of St Edmund, Westminster Abbey [Map]. His monument comprises a head of the statue encircled by a coronet of large and small leaves, remarkable for being the earliest specimen of the kind. The details of plate-armour, surcoat, gorget, coroneted helmet, with other accessories, give great antiquarian interest to this work. It was formerly surmounted by a canopy, of which, however, no traces are now visible.

On 22nd April 1355 [her daughter] Eleanor of Woodstock Plantagenet (age 36) died. She was buried at Deventer Abbey [Map].

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. Oct 1357. It appears, then, that at the beginning of October, when the Account opens, the Queen (age 62) was residing at her Castle of Hertford [Map], having not very long before been at Rising. The first visitor we have mention of is the "Comitissa Garenniæ," who sups with her on the fourth. The lady thus designated was Joan (age 61), daughter of Henry Earl of Barr (age 98), and Eleanor, daughter of Edward I. of England; niece, therefore, to Queen Isabella. She was married to John Earl of Warren and Surrey, in the year 33 Edward I., but appears to have been divorced from her husband, on the plea, of a previous marriage on his part, in the year 1345; and, as Dugdale tells us, she had leave to go beyond sea, in the same year, on some special employment for the King. She was one of the ladies, according to Froissart, who accompanied Isabella to England when she sailed from Flanders to the English shore on the expedition so fatal to her husband; and the frequent mention of her in the Account shows that she was in the closest intimacy with Isabella at this time. She visited her constantly, and nursed her in her last illness.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. Oct 1357. About the middle of October — the actual date is lost by injury of the document - the Queen (age 62) set out from Hertford on a pilgrimage to Canterbury. She rested at Tottenham, London, Eltham, Dartford, and Rochester, in going or returning visited Leeds Castle [Map], and was again at Hertford at the beginning of November.

She gave alms to the nuns minoresses without Aldgate; to the rector of St. Edmund's in London, in whose parish her hostel was situated — it was in Lombard Street; and to the prisoners in Newgate.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 26th of October she entertained the [her son] King (age 44) and [her grandson] Prince of Wales (age 27) in her own house in London; and we have recorded a gift of thirteen shillings and four pence to four minstrels who played in their presence.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 16th of November [1357] after her return to Hertford Castle [Map], she was visited by the renowned Gascon warrior, the Captal de Buche (age 26), cousin of the Comte de Foix. He had recently come over into England with the Prince of Wales, having taken part, on the English side, in the great battle of Poitiers.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 15th of December [1357] the Queen (age 62) was visited by the Countess of Pembroke (age 40), who passed the entire day with her; and, from the frequency of her subsequent visits, it would appear that she was one of Isabella's closest friends. And, again, what can we infer but a clinging on her part to the memory of her lover, when we find that this lady, widow of Lawrence Hastings, Earl of Pembroke, was none other than Agnes, daughter of Mortimer himself; and that we thus have recorded visits received by Isabella of a daughter, the grandson, and grandson's brother-in law of her favourite, within the space of one month?

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 24th of December [1357], and on Christmas Day, the Queen (age 62) entertained the Maréchal Arnould D'Audenham, sometimes written D'Andrehen, and Regnaut Sire D'Aubigny, both French prisoners taken at Poitiers. The former, Marshal of France, and a man of great note of the time, is a very frequent visitor with the Queen, and was probably active in concerting terms for a treaty between the crowns of England and France.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. From the 30th of January to the 2nd of February, the Comte de Tancarville continues again a visitor at the Castle; and on the 1st of February, the [her grandson] Earl of Richmond, John (age 17), son of Edward III., dined with the Queen (age 63), his grandmother.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 1st of March [1358], the Earl of Ulster, [her grandson] Lionel (age 19), afterwards Duke of Clarence, son of Edward III., takes supper with the Queen (age 63). It will be remembered that Lionel's daughter, [her great granddaughter] Philippa (age 2), subsequently brought a claim to the English crown into the family of the Mortimers, by her marriage with Edmund Earl of March (age 6).

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 21st [Mar 1358], William, Archbishop of Sens, now in England to negotiate a treaty of peace for his Sovereign with the English Monarch, the Maréchal D'Audenham, and the Countess of Pembroke (age 41), spend the entire day with Isabella (age 63); and her grandson, the [her grandson] Earl of Richmond (age 18), arrives to supper.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 6th of April [1358], the [her grandson] Prince of Wales (age 27), attended by four knights, dined with the Queen (age 63).

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the following day, the 16th of April [1358], Isabella (age 63) set out on a journey from Hertford, and the movements of her household are recorded to have been - on the 16th to Tottenham; on the 17th to London; on the 20th to Shene [Map]; on the 21st to Upton ( near Windsor ), the Queen herself going, it is stated, to Chertsey; on the 26th to Shene again; and on the 30th to London, where it remained till the 13th of May.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 19th [Apr 1358], still in London, the Chancellor and Treasurer of England and Sir John de Wynewyk dined with the Queen (age 63); and the [her grandson] Prince of Wales (age 27) and Duke of Lancaster (age 48) visited her after dinner.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 26th [Apr 1358], having returned to Shene [Map], doubtless from Windsor, Isabella (age 63) receives her daughter [her daughter] Joan Queen of Scotland (age 36), with her retinue. Joan is stated to have come at this time on a political mission to the court of Edward III.; and from the present document it would appear that she continued a guest with her mother Isabella up to the time of the death of the latter; and that even her own dress and the livery of her retinue were supplied from Isabella's funds.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. The following visits, during her [Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 63)] stay in London, are recorded. On the 30th of April, the Countess of Warren to supper (age 62). On the 1st of May, the Countess of Pembroke (age 41) to dinner; and the King after dinner. On the 2nd of May, the Countesses of Warren and Pembroke to dinner; and the [her son] King (age 45), the [her grandson] Prince of Wales (age 27), the Earl of March (age 29), and others, after dinner. On the 3rd of May, the Countess of Pembroke and the Maréchal D'Audenham to dinner; and the Earl of Arundel (age 52), "et plures magnates Franciæ¹," after dinner. On the 4th, the Count of Tancarville to dinner. On the 5th, the Countesses of Warren and Pembroke and the Maréchal D'Audenham again to dinner; and the Chancellor of England and many French noblemen after dinner. On the 6th the Chief Justice and the Barons of the Exchequer to dinner. On the four following days, the Countesses of Warren, Kent, and Pembroke dine with the Queen; and on the last of the four Sir John de Wynewyk comes to supper. On the 11th, [her daughter-in-law] Queen Philippa (age 43) appears to have dined with Isabella, but the entry is partially obliterated; the Earl Marshal and other noblemen came after dinner. On the 12th, the Countess of Pembroke dined, and the Cardinals ( of Périgord and St. Vitalis ), the Archbishop of Sens, and some French noblemen came after dinner. On Sunday the 13th, the Countess of Warren and others from London, as it is expressed, dined; and the King of France, the Chancellor of England, and others, visited the Queen after dinner.

Note 1. and several magnates of France.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 30th of April [1358], Isabella (age 63) returned to London, where she remained till the 11th of May; having her residence in the house of the Archbishop of York.

It must be remembered that at this period anxious efforts were being made by Edward III. to settle terms of a peace with his captive, John of France; and it can hardly be believed that Isabella was inactive in these negotiations. Her presence at Windsor at the festival of St. George, her residence in London, and her frequent communications with the French captives, warrant us in concluding that she did in fact take part in them; and the eager interest with which she watched their progress is proved by an entry in these accounts of a donation on the 10th of May of the considerable sum of six pounds thirteen shillings ( equal in value to about ninety pounds of the present currency ) to a messenger bringing a letter from Sir William de Wynewyk, at Windsor, certifying her of reports of the conclusion of an agreement between the two sovereigns, and of the same sum given by her, the same day, to a courier bearing a letter from Queen Philippa, convey ing the same intelligence.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 14th of May [1358], Isabella (age 63) left London and rested at Tottenham, on her way to Hertford. She was accompanied as far as Tottenham by the Countess of Warren (age 62), who dined with her there. She arrived at Hertford the following day; and a payment is recorded of a gift of six shillings and eight pence to the nuns of Cheshunt, who met the Queen at the Cross in the high road, in front of their house.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 27th [May 1358], the Earl of Douglas (age 35) dined with the Queen (age 63); and the Maréchal D'Audenham came to supper.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 4th of June [1358], Isabella (age 63) set out on a pilgrimage to Canterbury, and a visit of nearly three weeks' duration to Leeds Castle [Map]. She rested at Tottenham on the 4th, at London on the 5th and 6th, where she received the Countess of Warren (age 62) to dinner, and many noblemen after dinner. At Dartford on the 7th; at Rochester on the 8th, the Countess of Warren again dining with her. At Ospringe on the 9th, and at Canterbury on the 10th and 11th; entertaining there the Abbot of St. Augustine's both days. Under the division of "Alms" are recorded the Queen's oblations at the tomb of St. Thomas; the crown of his head ( the part having the tonsure, cut off by his assassins ), and point of the sword (with which he had been slain); and her payment to minstrels playing "in volta;" as also her oblations in the Church of St. Augustine, and her donations to various hospitals and religious houses in the city.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 12th [Jun 1358] she [Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 63)] returned to Ospringe, and on the 13th proceeded to Leeds Castle, where she remained till the 2nd of July; receiving as visitors the Prior of Leeds and Sir Arnold Savage (age 33), and dining in Langley Park, with many strangers, on the 19th of June; and being at Sutton Park, together with the [her daughter] Queen of Scotland (age 36), on the 25th. It is evident, therefore, that her daughter had accompanied her from Hertford.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On Monday the 2nd of July [1358], Isabella (age 63) left Leeds on her return to Hertford; which she reached on the 6th; making the daily stages of Rochester, Dartford, London, and Tottenham. Sir John de Wynewyk supped with the Queen in London, and the Countess of Warren (age 62) and the Maréchal D'Audenham at Tottenham. She was accompanied to Hertford by the [her daughter] Queen of Scotland (age 36). Isabella remained without visitors for some days after her return to Hertford. A memorandum is entered that the King was expected on the 13th of July; and on the 17th, strangers were entertained during the day, but they are not named.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 26th [Jul 1358], Isabella (age 63) and her [her daughter] daughter the Queen of Scotland (age 37) spent the day at Almesho Park; and the following day at Madecroft Park.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 30th [Jul 1358], Lord Morley again dined with the Queen (age 63).

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 28th of November [1357], and two following days, the Queen entertained the Earl of Tancarville, a member of the royal family of France, and at this time in England, as one of the captives of Poitiers; and with him the Earl of Salisbury. Of this latter nobleman, William de Montacute, second Earl, it is noticeable that he too was connected with the Mortimers, being, as we have already stated, brother-in-law to the existing Earl of March², although his father had personally acted a principal part in arresting Isabella's paramour in Nottingham Castle.

Note 1. Possibly John Melun 1st Count Tancarville although he not a member of the royal family of France?

Note 2. Roger Mortimer 2nd Earl March had married William's sister Philippa Montagu Countess March.

The Bard. 1757.The Bard: A Pindaric Ode. By Thomas Gray.

This poem includes, in Stanza 2.3, the first use of the term "She-Wolf", used before by Shakespeare to describe Queen Margaret of Anjou, to describe Queen Isabella of France, former wife of King Edward II.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. Now it must be observed that the Queen separated herself from her household on the 21st, and the account shows, that from the 22nd to the 25th, inclusive, the weekly expenses of the household fell to about half their usual amount. Moreover, an entry under the head of "Alms" makes mention, in reference to this period, of the Queen's journey to Windsor. There is no room for doubt therefore ( though Chroniclers make no mention of the circumstance ) that the object of Isabella's journey was to be present at the festivities held at Windsor by Edward III. in celebration of St. George's Day, the 23rd of April — festivities set forth with unwonted magnificence, in honour of the many crowned heads and noble foreigners then in England, and to which strangers from all countries were offered letters of safe conduct.