Beatrice of Bourbon, Queen of Bohemia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beatrice of Bourbon |
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| Queen consort of Bohemia | |
| Tenure | 1334–1346 |
| Coronation | 18 May 1337 |
| Born | 1320 |
| Died | 23 December 1383 (aged 62–63) |
| Burial | Église des Jacobins, Paris |
| Spouse | John of Bohemia Eudes II, Lord of Grancey |
| Issue | Wenceslaus I of Luxembourg |
| House | Bourbon |
| Father | Louis I, Duke of Bourbon |
| Mother | Mary of Avesnes |
Beatrice of Bourbon (born 1320, died 1383) was a French noblewoman. She belonged to the important House of Bourbon family. When she married, she became the Queen of Bohemia and the Countess of Luxembourg.
Beatrice was the youngest daughter of Louis I, Duke of Bourbon. Her mother was Mary of Avesnes.
Life of Beatrice
Her Royal Marriage
In 1330, Queen Elisabeth of Bohemia passed away. She was the wife of King John of Bohemia. King John was a widower for four years after her death.
The French King Philip VI wanted to make France and Bohemia closer. He suggested that King John marry again. The bride he proposed was Beatrice of Bourbon. She was a young noblewoman from a branch of the French royal family.
Beatrice was only fourteen years old when she married King John of Bohemia. Their wedding took place in December 1334. It was held at the Château de Vincennes in France.
Because they were related, they needed special permission from the Pope. Pope Benedict XII gave his approval in January 1335. This allowed their marriage to be official.
The marriage contract had an important rule. If Beatrice and John had a son, he would inherit the County of Luxembourg. This was King John's family land. John's older sons from his first marriage had to agree to this.
Life in Bohemia
Beatrice arrived in Bohemia in January 1336. She joined the royal court in Prague. She could speak French with her stepson Charles's wife, Blanche of Valois.
However, Beatrice did not feel comfortable in Prague. People often compared her to Blanche, who was very popular. The Czech people also found Beatrice to be cold. She did not seem interested in learning their language.
Beatrice received an income from her father's lands. This helped support her as Queen.
On February 25, 1337, Beatrice gave birth to her only child. It was a son named Wenceslaus. He was named after a famous Bohemian saint. This name might have been chosen to please the Bohemian people.
Three months later, Beatrice was crowned Queen of Bohemia. Her coronation took place in St. Vitus Cathedral in May 1337. However, the people of Prague did not show much excitement.
Soon after her coronation, Beatrice left Bohemia. She moved to Luxembourg in June 1337. She left her young son behind in Bohemia. After this, she rarely visited the Bohemian Kingdom.
Later Years and New Life
In 1346, King John was killed in the Battle of Crécy. Beatrice was no longer queen. Her stepson, Charles, became the new King of Bohemia. He made sure Beatrice received her promised lands and money.
As a dowager queen (a queen who is a widow), Beatrice received lands in the County of Hainaut. She also got an income of 4,000 livres. She was given the towns of Arlon, Marville, and Damvillers. She chose to live in Damvillers. These funds helped her and her son.
Around 1347, Beatrice married again. Her second husband was Eudes II, Lord of Grancey. Even after remarrying, she kept her title of Queen of Bohemia. They did not have any children together.
Beatrice helped arrange her son Wenceslaus's marriage. He married Joanna, Duchess of Brabant. She was a widow and fifteen years older than Wenceslaus. Their wedding happened in 1351.
King Charles delayed giving Luxembourg to his half-brother Wenceslaus. But in 1353, Wenceslaus finally became the ruler of the County. The next year, in 1354, Luxembourg became a Duchy.
Beatrice passed away on December 27, 1383. She outlived her son Wenceslaus by just sixteen days. She was buried in a church in Paris.
See also
In Spanish: Beatriz de Borbón para niños
