Agnes de Launcekrona facts for kids

Agnes de Launcekrona was a special helper to Queen Anne of Bohemia. She was known as a Lady of the Bedchamber. Agnes later became the second wife of Robert de Vere, 9th Earl of Oxford. Robert was a very close friend and trusted advisor to King Richard II of England.

Who Was Agnes?

We don't know much about where Agnes came from. Some stories say she was a countess from Germany or the Netherlands. Others say her father was a saddler from Flanders. What we do know is that in England, many people felt she was not a suitable wife for an important earl like Robert de Vere.

Her Life with the Earl of Oxford

Coming to England

Agnes came to England in December 1381 with Anne of Bohemia. Anne was going to marry King Richard II. Agnes was a Lady of the Bedchamber for Queen Anne. This meant she helped the Queen with daily tasks. She also looked after the valuable jewels and gifts Queen Anne received.

A Surprising Marriage

Queen Anne married King Richard and became Queen on January 22, 1382. Sometime later, Agnes met Robert de Vere, the King's favorite. People said Agnes was "dark and lively" and had a unique beauty.

In 1387, Robert de Vere ended his marriage to his first wife, Philippa de Coucy. He then quickly married Agnes. This caused a big scandal across the kingdom. Philippa was the King's cousin, which made many royal family members very angry. Even Robert's own mother, Maud de Ufford, sided with Philippa. She said she loved Philippa "more dear than if she had been her own daughter."

Queen Anne's Role

There are different ideas about how Queen Anne reacted. Some say she did not approve of Robert leaving his high-ranking wife for Agnes. Another story says Queen Anne liked Agnes very much. This story says the Queen wrote to the Pope to help Robert get his marriage ended. This second story made some people less fond of Queen Anne.

Trouble for Robert de Vere

Robert de Vere had made many powerful enemies. These nobles did not like how much power and favor the King gave him. Robert's close friendship with King Richard led to a group called the Lords Appellant. This group of noblemen took control of the kingdom from King Richard.

In 1387, Robert led the King's forces against the Lords Appellant. But his forces were defeated at Radcot Bridge on December 20, 1387. Robert escaped by jumping into a river on horseback. He then rode away to London.

Exile and Later Life

In 1388, the Parliament forced Robert de Vere to leave England. He went to live in Louvain, in Brabant. Robert was declared a traitor, and he lost his titles and properties.

Agnes never officially held the titles of Countess of Oxford or Duchess of Ireland. This is because Philippa, Robert's first wife, continued to use those titles. The Pope later said Robert's divorce from Philippa was not valid. It is thought that Agnes returned to Bohemia instead of going into exile with Robert.

In 1392, Robert de Vere died from injuries he got during a boar hunt. Since he had no children from either marriage, his uncle, Aubrey de Vere, became the next Earl of Oxford.