Agnes de Valence facts for kids

Agnes de Valence was an important noblewoman who lived in the 1200s. She was born around 1250. Her family was very powerful and connected to the royal family of England.

Agnes's Powerful Family

Agnes was born in 1250. She was the youngest daughter of William de Valence, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Joan de Munchensi. Her family was very important and had a big role in the politics of the 1200s.

Her father, William de Valence, was a French nobleman and a brave knight. He had strong ties to the King of England. He was even the half-brother of Henry III of England. This made him the uncle of Edward I, who later became king.

Agnes's mother, Joan, was also from a very important family. Her father was William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke. He was a famous leader who had served five different Kings of England. Joan herself was very wealthy. She inherited a lot of land and money from her family.

Her First Marriage

In 1266, there was a big event called the siege of Kenilworth Castle. During this time, Agnes's father, William, wanted to make friends with powerful Irish lords. These lords were either helping with the siege or trying to keep peace in rebellious areas.

So, William made a deal with Maurice Roe FitzGerald. Agnes would marry Maurice. In return, she would share ownership of his properties in Limerick, Ireland. This marriage helped William gain a local friend in Ireland. This friend would help him look after his interests there.

Maurice also benefited greatly from this marriage. He gained close access to the King and the chance for royal support and favors. The wedding happened in 1266. However, the marriage did not last long. In 1268, Maurice sadly drowned while traveling from England to Ireland. After her husband's death, Agnes returned home to her father in England. Agnes and Maurice had one son together.

Later Marriages and Death

Agnes quickly remarried after Maurice's death. Her second husband was Hugh de Balliol. He was a Scottish nobleman and the son of John I de Balliol. This marriage did not have any children. Hugh died in Palestine in 1271.

In the 1270s, Agnes married for a third time. Her third husband was Jean d'Avesnes, who was the Lord of Beaumont. Jean passed away in 1283. Agnes and Jean had four children together. They had two sons and two daughters.

Agnes herself died about five or six years before her third husband, Jean.