Home > Blanche of Castile

In consequence of a treaty between Philip Augustus and John of England, she was betrothed to the former's son, Louis, and was brought to France, in the spring of 1200, by John's mother Eleanor. On May 22 1200 the treaty was finally signed, John ceding with his niece the fiefs of Issoudun and Gracay , together with those that André de Chavigny , lord of Châteauroux, held in Berry, of the English crown. The marriage was celebrated the next day, at Portmort on the right bank of the Seine, in John's domains, as those of Philip lay under an interdict.

Blanche first displayed her great qualities in 1216, when Louis, who on the death of John claimed the English crown in her right, invaded England, only to find a united nation against him. Philip Augustus refused to help his son, and Blanche was his sole support. The queen established herself at CalaisThis article is about the French city. Alternate meanings: Boreads (mythical), Calais, Maine, Calais, Vermont Calais is a city in northern France, located at 50°57N 1°52E. It is in the departement of Pas-de-Calais, of which it is a sous-prefecture''. and organized two fleets, one of which was commanded by Eustace the MonkEustace the Monk (born ca 1170 killed August 24, 1217) was a 13th century mercenary and pirate, in the great tradition of medieval outlaws. Eustace was even reputed to be a magician; he was one of the most feared men of his day. Eustace the Monk was a you, and an army under Robert of CourtenayRobert of Courtenay (died 1228), emperor of the Latin Empire, or of Constantinople, was a younger son of the emperor Peter of Courtenay, and a descendant of the French king, Louis VI, while his mother Yolanda of Flanders was a sister of Baldwin and Henry; but all her resolution and energy were in vain. Although it would seem that her masterful temper exercised a sensible influence upon her husband's gentler character, her role during his reign ( 1223Events July 14 In France, Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father. He is crowned king on August 6. Franciscan Rule approved by Pope Honorius III Births Deaths July 14 King Philip II of France Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Giraldus Cambre- 1226Events Carmelite Order approved by Pope Honorius III Frederick II calls Imperial Diet of Cremona Births Deaths October 3 Saint Francis of Assisi founder of the Franciscan Order and patron Saint of animals and the environment Canonized by Pope Gregory IX i) is not well known. Upon his death he left Blanche regent and guardian of his children. Of her twelve or thirteen children, six had died, and Louis, the heir--afterwards the sainted Louis IXEl Greco in the 16th Century. King Louis IX of France or Saint Louis ( April 25, 1214/ 1215 August 25, 1270) was King of France from 1226 to 1270. A member of the Capetian dynasty, he was born at Poissy, France, the son of King Louis VIII and Blanche of C--was but twelve years old. The situation was critical, for the hard-won domains of the house of Capet seemed likely to fall to pieces during a minority. Blanche had to bear the whole burden of affairs alone, to break up a league of the barons ( 1226Events Carmelite Order approved by Pope Honorius III Frederick II calls Imperial Diet of Cremona Births Deaths October 3 Saint Francis of Assisi founder of the Franciscan Order and patron Saint of animals and the environment Canonized by Pope Gregory IX i), and to repel the attack of the king of England ( 1230Events Kingdom of Leon unites with the Kingdom of Castile. Approximate year of creation for the Carmina Burana poetry and song collection Births Jacobus De Voragine Italian chronicler, archbishop of Genoa (approximate year) Deaths September 23 or 24 Alfon). But her energy and firmness overcame all dangers. There was an end to the calumnies circulated against her, based on the poetical homage rendered her by Theobald IV count of Champagne, and the prolonged stay in Paris of the papal legate, Romano Bonaventura , cardinal of Sant' Angelo.

The nobles were awed by her warlike preparations or won over by adroit diplomacy, and their league was broken up. St Louis owed his realm to his mother, but he himself always remained somewhat under the spell of her imperious personality. After he came of age (1236) her influence upon him may still be traced. In 1248 she again became regent, during Louis IX's absence on the crusade, a project which she had strongly opposed. In the disasters which followed she maintained peace, while draining the land of men and money to aid her son in the East. At last her strength failed her. She fell ill at MelunMelun (population 37,000) is a French city on the river Seine. It is the prefecture (administrative capital) of the Seine-et-Marne departement''. Activities and attractions The nearby chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte is considered a smaller predecessor of Palac in November 1252, and was taken to Paris, but lived only a few days. She was buried at Maubuisson .

Besides the works of Joinville and William of Nangis, see Elie Berger, "Histoire de Blanche de Castille, reine de France," in Bibliothèque des écoles francaises d’Athènes et de Rome, vol. lxx. (Paris, 1895); Le Nain de Tillemont, "Vie de Saint Louis," ed. by J de Gaulle for the Société de l’histoire de France (6 vols., 1847-1851); and Paulin Paris, "Nouvelles recherches sur les mteurs de la reine Blanche et de Thibaud," in Cabinet historigue (1858).

This entry was originally from the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.