Isabella returns to England with her son, Edward III. Jean Fouquet, 1455x1460.

Isabella of France (c.1295 – August 22, 1358), known as the She-Wolf of France,(this sobriquet has been appropriated - now, all but transferred to Isabella - from Shakespeare's "Henry VI", where it is used to refer to Henry's Queen, Margaret of Anjou) was the Queen consort of Edward II of England. She was a member of the House of Capet. The House of Capet includes any of the direct descendants of Robert the Strong. ... An imagined image of Hugh Capet; no images of Hugh exist. ... Robert II the Pious (French: Robert II le Pieux) (March 27, 972 – July 20, 1031) was King of France from 996 to 1031. ... Robert II the Pious (French: Robert II le Pieux) (March 27, 972 – July 20, 1031) was King of France from 996 to 1031. ... Henry I (French: Henri Ier) (May 4, 1008–August 4, 1060) was King of France from 1031 to 1060. ... Robert I Capet (1011 – March 21, 1076) was duke of Burgundy between 1032 to his death. ... Henry I (French: Henri Ier) (May 4, 1008–August 4, 1060) was King of France from 1031 to 1060. ... Philip I (French: Philippe Ier) (May 23, 1052 – July 29, 1108) was King of France from 1060 to 1108. ... Hugh of Vermandois (1053 - October 18, 1101), was son to King Henry I of France and Anne of Kiev, and the younger brother of King Philip I of France. ... Philip I (French: Philippe Ier) (May 23, 1052 – July 29, 1108) was King of France from 1060 to 1108. ... Louis VI the Fat (French: Louis VI le Gros) (December 1, 1081 – August 1, 1137) was King of France from 1108 to 1137. ... Louis VI the Fat (French: Louis VI le Gros) (December 1, 1081 – August 1, 1137) was King of France from 1108 to 1137. ... Louis VII the Younger (French: Louis VII le Jeune) (1120 – September 18, 1180) was King of France from 1137 to 1180. ... Robert I of Dreux, nicknamed the Great (c. ... Louis VII the Younger (French: Louis VII le Jeune) (1120 – September 18, 1180) was King of France from 1137 to 1180. ... Marie of France, or Marie Capet, Countess of Champagne (1145 – March 11, 1198), was the elder daughter of Louis VII of France and his first wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. ... Alix of France (1150 – 1197/1198) was the second daughter born to Louis VII of France by his first wife Eleanor of Aquitaine. ... Marguerite of France (1158 - 1197) was the eldest daughter of Louis VII of France by his second wife Constance of Castile. ... Alys, Countess of the Vexin (4 October 1160 – c. ... Philip II Augustus (French: Philippe II Auguste) (August 21, 1165 – July 14, 1223), was King of France from 1180 to 1223. ... Agnes of France (1171 - after 1207) was a daughter of Louis VII of France by his third wife Adèle of Champagne. ... Philip II Augustus (French: Philippe II Auguste) (August 21, 1165 – July 14, 1223), was King of France from 1180 to 1223. ... Louis VIII the Lion (5 September 1187 – 8 November 1226) reigned as King of France from 1223 to 1226. ... Louis VIII the Lion (5 September 1187 – 8 November 1226) reigned as King of France from 1223 to 1226. ... Louis IX (25 April 1215 – 25 August 1270), commonly Saint Louis, was King of France from 1226 to his death. ... Robert I the Good (1216 – February 8, 1250) was Count of Artois. ... Coat of arms: Per pale azure semé-de-lis or (France ancient) dimidiating gules semé of castles or (Castile). ... Saint Isabel of France (March, 1225 – 23 February 1270) was the daughter of Louis VIII of France and Blanche of Castile, and brother of Louis IX of France. ... Statue of Charles I of Anjou by Arnolfo di Cambio, Rome, Palazzo dei Conservatori. ... Louis IX (25 April 1215 – 25 August 1270), commonly Saint Louis, was King of France from 1226 to his death. ... Philip III the Bold (French: Philippe III le Hardi) (30 April 1245 – 5 October 1285) reigned as King of France from 1270 to 1285. ... Robert of France (1256 – February 7, 1317) was made Count of Clermont in 1268. ... Agnes of France (c. ... Philip III the Bold (French: Philippe III le Hardi) (30 April 1245 – 5 October 1285) reigned as King of France from 1270 to 1285. ... Philip IV the Fair (French: Philippe IV le Bel) (1268 – November 29, 1314) was King of France from 1285 until his death. ... Charles III of Valois (March 12, 1270 – December 16, 1325) was the third son of Philip III of France and Isabella of Aragon. ... Louis of France, Count dÉvreux (May, 1276 – May 19, 1319, Paris) was the third son of King Philip III the Bold with his second wife Marie de Brabant, and step-brother of King Philip IV the Fair. ... Marguerite of France (1282 – 14 February 1317) was a daughter of Philip III of France and Maria of Brabant. ... Philip IV the Fair (French: Philippe IV le Bel) (1268 – November 29, 1314) was King of France from 1285 until his death. ... Louis X of France Louis X the Quarreller, also called the Headstrong or the Stubborn, (French: Louis X le Hutin, Spanish: Luis el Obstinado) (October 4, 1289 – June 5, 1316), King of France from 1314 to 1316, was a member of the Capetian Dynasty. ... Philip V the Tall (French: Philippe V le Long) (1293 - January 3, 1322) was King of France from 1316 to 1322, a member of the Capetian dynasty. ... Charles IV of France, also Charles I of Navarre, called the Fair (French: le Bel) (11 December 1294 – 1 February 1328), was the King of France and Navarre and Count of Champagne from 1322 to his death: the last French king of the senior Capetian lineage. ... Joan II, Juana II, or Jeanne II, Queen of Navarre (1311 - 1349) - was the only daughter of King Louis X of France (Luis I of Navarre) and his first wife, Margaret of Burgundy. ... John I the Posthumous (French: Jean Ier le Posthume) (November 15, 1316 – November 20, 1316) was King of France for the five days he lived. ... Joan of Burgundy (1308-1349), also known as Jeanne de Bourgogne, Jeanne de France. ... Marguerite de France (1310 - 9 May 1382) was a medieval ruler, reigning countess of Artois and the Palatine Burgundy (Franche-Comté) as well as countess-consort of Flanders, Nevers and Rethel. ... This article is about the King of England. ... Louis X of France Louis X the Quarreller, also called the Headstrong or the Stubborn, (French: Louis X le Hutin, Spanish: Luis el Obstinado) (October 4, 1289 – June 5, 1316), King of France from 1314 to 1316, was a member of the Capetian Dynasty. ... Joan II, Juana II, or Jeanne II, Queen of Navarre (1311 - 1349) - was the only daughter of King Louis X of France (Luis I of Navarre) and his first wife, Margaret of Burgundy. ... John I the Posthumous (French: Jean Ier le Posthume) (November 15, 1316 – November 20, 1316) was King of France for the five days he lived. ... John I the Posthumous (French: Jean Ier le Posthume) (November 15, 1316 – November 20, 1316) was King of France for the five days he lived. ... Philip V the Tall (French: Philippe V le Long) (1293 - January 3, 1322) was King of France from 1316 to 1322, a member of the Capetian dynasty. ... Charles IV of France, also Charles I of Navarre, called the Fair (French: le Bel) (11 December 1294 – 1 February 1328), was the King of France and Navarre and Count of Champagne from 1322 to his death: the last French king of the senior Capetian lineage. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... This article is about the King of England. ... Virgin and Child Surrounded by Angels (c. ... Events Mongol leader Ghazan Khan is converted to Islam, ending a line of Tantric Buddhist leaders. ... is the 234th day of the year (235th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events Jacquerie. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Edward II, (25 April 1284 – 21 September? 1327), of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until deposed in January, 1327. ... The House of Capet includes any of the direct descendants of Robert the Strong. ...

Isabella was born in Paris sometime between 1288 and 1296, the daughter of King Philip IV of France and Queen Jeanne of Navarre, and the sister of three French kings. While still an infant, her father had promised her in marriage to Edward II to resolve the conflicts between France and England over the latter's continental possession of Gascony and claims to Anjou, Normandy and Aquitaine. Pope Boniface VIII had urged the marriage as early as 1298 but was delayed by wrangling over the terms of the marriage contract. The English king, Edward I had also attempted to break the engagement several times. Only after he died in 1307 did the wedding go forward. City flag City coat of arms Motto: Fluctuat nec mergitur (Latin: Tossed by the waves, she does not sink) The Eiffel Tower in Paris, as seen from the esplanade du Trocadéro. ... Philip IV the Fair (French: Philippe IV le Bel) (1268 – November 29, 1314) was King of France from 1285 until his death. ... Jeanne (or Joan or Johanna) of Navarre (c. ... Edward II, (25 April 1284 – 21 September? 1327), of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until deposed in January, 1327. ... Map of the historical and cultural area of Gascony. ... Boniface VIII, né Benedict Gaetano ( 1235 - October 11, 1303) was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1294 to 1303. ... Edward I (17 June 1239 – 7 July 1307), popularly known as Longshanks[1], also as Edward the Lawgiver because of his legal reforms, and as Hammer of the Scots,[2] achieved fame as the monarch who conquered Wales and who tried to do the same to Scotland. ...

Her groom, the new King Edward II, looked the part of a Plantagenet king to perfection. He was tall and athletic, and wildly popular at the beginning of his reign. She married Edward at Boulogne-sur-Mer on January 25, 1308. Since he had ascended the throne the previous year, Isabella never was titled Princess of Wales. Edward II, (25 April 1284 – 21 September? 1327), of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until deposed in January, 1327. ... Boulogne-sur-Mer is a city and commune in northern France, in the Pas-de-Calais département of which it is a sous-préfecture. ... is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events Henry VII is elected as king of the Holy Roman Empire. ...

At the time of her marriage Isabella was about twelve, described by Geoffrey of Paris as "the beauty of beauties...in the kingdom if not in all Europe." This may not merely have been a chronicler's politeness, as Isabella's father and brother were likewise very handsome men. Despite her youth and beauty, King Edward paid little attention to his bride, bestowing her wedding gifts upon his favorite, Piers Gaveston. Geoffrey of Paris (d. ... Piers Gaveston, 1st Earl of Cornwall (c. ...

Edward and Isabella produced four children, and she suffered at least one miscarriage. The itineraries of Edward II and Queen Isabella also show that they were together 9 months prior to the births of all four surviving offspring. Their children were: Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the natural or accidental termination of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or the fetus is incapable of surviving, generally defined at a gestation of prior to 20 weeks. ... Birth is the process in animals by which an offspring is shot out from the body of its mama. ...

1. Edward of Windsor, born 1312
2. John of Eltham, born 1316
3. Eleanor of Woodstock, born 1318, married Reinoud II of Guelders
4. Joan of the Tower, born 1321, married David II of Scotland

Although Isabella produced four children, the king was notorious for lavishing sexual attention on a succession of male favourites, including Piers Gaveston and Hugh le Despenser the younger. He neglected Isabella, once even abandoning her during a campaign against the Scottish King, Robert Bruce, at Tynemouth. She barely escaped Robert the Bruce's army, fleeing along the coast to English held territory. Isabella despised his favorite, Hugh le Despenser, and in 1321, while pregnant with her youngest child, she dramatically begged Edward to banish Despenser from the kingdom. Despenser was exiled, but Edward recalled him later that year, and this act seems to have finally turned Isabella against him altogether. While Queen Isabella's relationship to Roger Mortimer is unknown for this time period, she may have helped him escape from the Tower of London in 1323. Later she would openly take Mortimer as her lover. This article is about the King of England. ... Events June 15 : Battle near Rozgoni Battle near Thebes Siege of Rostock begins Births November 13 - King Edward III of England Deaths June 19 - Piers Gaveston, favourite of Edward II of England September 7 - King Ferdinand IV of Castile Categories: 1312 ... John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall (August 15, 1316–September 13, 1336) was the son of Edward II of England and Isabella of France. ... Events Pope John XXII elected to the papacy. ... Eleanor of Woodstock (1318–1355) was the eldest daughter of Edward II, King of England (1307-1327). ... Events 1 April: Berwick-upon-Tweed is captured by the Scottish from the English Emperor Go-Daigo ascends to the throne of Japan End of the reign of Emperor Hanazono, emperor of Japan Pope John XXII declares the doctrines of the Franciscans advocating ecclesiastical poverty erroneous Qalaun Mosque, Cairo... Joan of England (July 5, 1321–September 7, 1362), known as Joan of the Tower, was the first wife and Queen consort of David II of Scotland. ... Events Births September 29 - John of Artois, Count of Eu, French soldier (d. ... David II (March 5, 1324 – February 22, 1371) king of Scotland, son of King Robert the Bruce by his second wife, Elizabeth de Burgh (d. ... Piers Gaveston, 1st Earl of Cornwall (c. ... The execution of Hugh, the younger Despenser, from a manuscript of Froissart. ... Tynemouth beach This article concerns itself with the village. ... Robert I, King of Scots, usually known as Robert the Bruce (July 11, 1274 – June 7, 1329, reigned 1306 – 1329), was, according to a modern biographer (Geoffrey Barrow), a great hero who lived in a minor country. ... Events Births September 29 - John of Artois, Count of Eu, French soldier (d. ... Roger de Mortimer, 1st Earl of March (25 April 1287 – 29 November 1330), grandson of the 1st Baron Wigmore, was the best-known of his name. ... August 12 - The Treaty of Nöteborg between Sweden and Novgorod (Russia) is signed, regulating the border for the first time Canonization of Saint Thomas Aquinas Lithuania: in Letters of Gediminas, Vilnius is named as the capital city Pharos of Alexandria Lighthouse (one of the Seven Wonders of the world...

When her brother, King Charles IV of France, seized Edward's French possessions in 1325, she returned to France, initially as a delegate of the King charged with negotiating a peace treaty between the two countries. However, her presence in France became a focal point for the many nobles opposed to Edward's reign and she gathered an army to oppose Edward, in alliance with Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March, who had become her lover. Enraged by this, Edward demanded that Isabella return to England. Her brother, King Charles, replied, "The queen has come of her own will and may freely return if she wishes. But if she prefers to remain here, she is my sister and I refuse to expel her." Charles IV of France, also Charles I of Navarre, called the Fair (French: le Bel) (11 December 1294 – 1 February 1328), was the King of France and Navarre and Count of Champagne from 1322 to his death: the last French king of the senior Capetian lineage. ... Events January 7:Alfonso IV becomes the King of Portugal. ... Roger de Mortimer, 1st Earl of March (25 April 1287 – 29 November 1330), grandson of the 1st Baron Wigmore, was the best-known of his name. ...

Despite this public show of support by the King of France, Isabella and Mortimer left the French court in summer 1326 and went to William of Hainaut in Holland (his wife was Isabella's cousin). William provided them with eight men of war (ships) in return for a marriage contract between his daughter Philippa and Isabella's son, Edward. On September 21, 1326 Isabella and Mortimer landed in Suffolk with an army (most of whom were mercenaries). King Edward offered a reward for their deaths, and is rumoured to have even carried a knife in his hose with which to kill his wife. Isabella responded by offering twice as much money for the head of Hugh the younger Despenser (this reward was issued from Wallingford Castle). Events Change of emperor of the Ottoman Empire from Osman I (1299-1326) to Orhan I (1326-1359) Aradia de Toscano, is initiated into a Dianic cult of Italian Witchcraft (Stregheria), and discovers through a vision that she is the human incarnation of the goddess Aradia. ... William III of Avesnes (1286 - June 7, 1337) was count of Hainaut and Holland from 1304 to his death, succeeding his father, John II. He married Joanna of Valois, sister of king Philip VI of France, in 1305 and had the following children: William IV of Hainaut (1307-1345) John... A man of war (also man-of-war, man-o-war or simply man) is an armed naval vessel. ... Philippa of Hainault Philippa of Hainault (~1314 - August 15, 1369) was the Queen consort of Edward III of England. ... This article is about the King of England. ... September 21 is the 264th day of the year (265th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events Change of emperor of the Ottoman Empire from Osman I (1299-1326) to Orhan I (1326-1359) Aradia de Toscano, is initiated into a Dianic cult of Italian Witchcraft (Stregheria), and discovers through a vision that she is the human incarnation of the goddess Aradia. ... A mercenary is a person who takes part in an armed conflict who is not a national of a Party to the conflict and is motivated to take part in the hostilities essentially by the desire for private gain and, in fact, is promised, by or on behalf of a... Wallingford Castle 1913. ...

The invasion by Isabella and Mortimer was successful: King Edward's few allies deserted him without a battle; the Despensers were killed, and Edward himself was captured and forced to abdicate in favour of his eldest son, Edward III of England. Since the young king was only fourteen when he was crowned on 1 February 1327, Isabella and Mortimer ruled as regents in his place. This article is about the King of England. ... The coronation of Empress Farah, of Iran in 1967. ... is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events January 25 - Edward III becomes King of England. ...

According to legend, Isabella and Mortimer famously plotted to murder the deposed king in such a way as not to draw blame on themselves, sending the famous order "Edwardum occidere nolite timere bonum est" which depending on where the comma was inserted could mean either "Do not be afraid to kill Edward; it is good" or "Do not kill Edward; it is good to fear". In actuality, there is little evidence of just who decided to have Edward assassinated, and none whatsoever of the note ever having been written. Alison Weir's biography of Isabella puts forward the theory that Edward II in fact escaped death and fled to Europe, where he lived as a hermit for a further twenty years.

When Edward III attained his majority (at the age of 18) he, and a few trusted companions, staged a coup on October 19, 1330 and had both Isabella and Mortimer taken prisoner. Despite Isabella's cries of "Fair son, have pity on gentle Mortimer", Mortimer was executed for treason one month later in November of 1330. Events The Bulgars under Michael III are beaten by the Serbs at Velbuzhd, and large parts of Bulgaria fall to Serbia. ...

Isabella's life was spared by her son and she was allowed to retire to Castle Rising in Norfolk. She did not, as legend would have it, go insane; she enjoyed a comfortable retirement and made many visits to her son's court, doting on her grandchildren. Isabella took the habit of the Poor Clares before she died on August 22, 1358, and her body was returned to London for burial at the Franciscan church at Newgate. She was buried in her wedding dress, with Edward's heart interred with her. Castle Rising, illustrated in Cassells History of England circa 1902 Castle Rising Castle, in Norfolk, was built in about 1150 by William dAubigny, 1st Earl of Arundel, who also owned Arundel Castle. ... Norfolk (IPA: //) is a low-lying county in East Anglia in the east of southern England. ... The Order of Poor Ladies, also known as the Poor Clares, the Poor Clare Nuns, the Clarisse, or the Minoresses is a Franciscan order founded by Saint Clare of Assisi. ... is the 234th day of the year (235th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events Jacquerie. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Newgate Street-Christ Church-Greyfriars Christ Church Greyfriars, also known as Christ Church Newgate, was an Anglican church located on Newgate Street, opposite St Pauls Cathedral in the City of London. ... Newgate was a gate in the west of London Wall round the City of London. ...

Isabella in fiction

Queen Isabella appears as a major character in Christopher Marlowe's play Edward II, and in Derek Jarman's 1991 film based on the play and bearing the same name. She is played by actress Tilda Swinton as a 'femme fatale' whose thwarted love for Edward causes her to turn against him and steal his throne. Christopher (Kit) Marlowe (baptised 26 February 1564 – 30 May 1593?) was an English dramatist, poet, and translator of the Elizabethan era. ... Edward II is an Elizabethan play written by Christopher Marlowe. ... Derek Jarman Derek Jarman (January 31, 1942 – February 19, 1994) was an English film director, stage designer, artist, and writer. ... Katherine Mathilda Swinton (born November 5, 1960), better known as Tilda Swinton, is a Golden Globe Award-nominated British actress known for both arthouse and mainstream films. ...

Sophie Marceau as Princess Isabelle in Braveheart

In the historically-based but fictional film Braveheart, directed by and starring Mel Gibson, Isabella was played by the French actress Sophie Marceau. In the film, Isabella is depicted as having a romantic affair with the Scottish hero William Wallace, who is portrayed as the real father of her son Edward III. This is entirely fictional, as there is no evidence whatsoever that the two people ever met one another. Wallace was executed in 1305, before Isabella was even married to Edward II (their marriage occurred in January 1308). When Wallace died, Isabella was about 10 years old. All of Isabella's children were born many years after Wallace's death, thus it is impossible that Wallace was the father of Edward III. (Note that there was a French princess in England during the last years of William Wallace's life, Marguerite of France, Isabella's aunt and Edward I's second wife.) Image File history File links Braveheart4. ... Image File history File links Braveheart4. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Braveheart is an American 1995 historical action/drama produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role. ... Braveheart is an American 1995 historical action/drama produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role. ... Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson AO (born January 3, 1956) is an American born Australian actor, director, and producer. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... For other persons named William Wallace, see William Wallace (disambiguation). ... Edward III King of England Edward III (13 November 1312–21 June 1377) was one of the most successful English Kings of medieval times. ... Events August 5 - English troops capture William Wallace Wenceslas III becomes king of Bohemia Archbishop of Bordeaux, Bertrand de Got, was elected as Pope Clement V. Philip IV of France accused the Knights Templar of heresy. ... Marguerite of France (1282 – 14 February 1317) was a daughter of Philip III of France and Maria of Brabant. ... Edward I (17 June 1239 – 7 July 1307), popularly known as Longshanks[1], also as Edward the Lawgiver because of his legal reforms, and as Hammer of the Scots,[2] achieved fame as the monarch who conquered Wales and who tried to do the same to Scotland. ...

Isabella has also been the subject of a number of historical novels, including Margaret Campbell Barnes' Isabel the Fair, Hilda Lewis' Harlot Queen, Maureen Peters' Isabella, the She-Wolf, Brenda Honeyman's The Queen and Mortimer, Paul Doherty's The Cup of Ghosts, Jean Plaidy's The Follies of the King, and Edith Felber's Queen of Shadows. She is the title character of The She-Wolf of France by the well-known French novelist Maurice Druon. The series of which the book was part, The Accursed Kings, has been adapted for French television in 1972 and 2005. Most recently, Isabella figures prominently in The Traitor's Wife: A Novel of the Reign of Edward II by Susan Higginbotham. Hilda Lewis was a British writer born in 1896 and her full name was Hilda Winifred Lewis. ... Jean Plaidy was a pen name of British author Eleanor Hibbert, also known as Philippa Carr and Victoria Holt. ... Maurice Druon (born April 23, 1918) is a French novelist and member of Académie française. ... The Accursed Kings (in French, Les Rois Maudits) is a sequence of seven historical novels by Maurice Druon, of the French Academy. ...

See also

• Hundred Years' War
• Geoffrey le Baker
• Vita Edwardi Secundi

Combatants France Castile Scotland Genoa Majorca Bohemia Crown of Aragon Brittany England Burgundy Brittany Portugal Navarre Flanders Hainaut Aquitaine Luxembourg Holy Roman Empire The Hundred Years War was a conflict between France and England, lasting 116 years from 1337 to 1453. ... Geoffrey the Baker (d. ... The Vita Edwardi Secundi (Life of Edward II) is a Latin chronicle most likely written in 1326, by an unknown English medieval historian contemporary to Edward II. It covered the period from 1307 until its abrupt end in 1326 The earliest surviving version of the Vita is a copy made...

References

• Blackley, F.D. Isabella of France, Queen of England 1308-1358, and the Late Medieval Cult of the Dead. (Canadian Journal of History)
• Doherty, P.C. Isabella and the Strange Death of Edward II, 2003
• McKisack, May. The Fourteenth Century 1307-1399, 1959.
• Woods, Charles T. Queens, Queans and Kingship, appears in Joan of Arc and Richard III: Sex, Saints and Government in the Middle Ages, 1988.
• Weir, Alison. Queen Isabella:Treachery, Adultery, and Murder in Medieval England, Balantine Books, 2005.