Blanche of Navarre, Queen of France facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blanche of Navarre |
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Blanche de Navarre and her daughter Joan in prayer in front of Saint Louis. Watercolor from a Stained glass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Évreux. Collection of François Roger de Gaignières, Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, 17th century.
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| Queen consort of France | |
| Tenure | 29 January 1350 – 22 August 1350 |
| Born | 1331 |
| Died | 1398 (aged 66–67) Neaufles-Saint-Martin, Normandy, France |
| Burial | Basilica of St Denis Saint-Denis, France |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | Joan of France |
| House | Évreux |
| Father | Philip III of Navarre |
| Mother | Joan II of Navarre |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Blanche of Navarre (French: Blanche d'Évreux; born around 1331 – died 5 October 1398) was a princess from France and Navarre. She was part of the House of Évreux, a branch of the House of Capet. By marriage, she became the Queen of France for a short time, from January to August 1350.
Blanche was first meant to marry John, Duke of Normandy, who was the heir to the French throne. His first wife had just passed away from the Black Death. However, King Philip VI of France, John's father, decided to marry Blanche himself. Just a few months after their wedding, King Philip VI died suddenly, and Blanche became a widow.
In 1351, Blanche gave birth to a daughter after her husband's death. She then refused to marry King Peter of Castile. Instead, she chose to live quietly on the lands her late husband had given her. Even as a widow, she played an important role in 1354. She helped bring her brother, King Charles II of Navarre, and King John II of France back together. Later, in 1389, she helped organize the coronation of Isabeau of Bavaria, who was the wife of King Charles VI of France.
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Early Life and Engagements
Blanche was born around 1331. She was the third daughter of King Philip III of Navarre and Queen Joan II of Navarre. Both her parents came from the important House of Capet family.
Blanche was engaged several times when she was young.
- On 19 August 1335, she was engaged to Andrew. He was the only son of Humbert II of Viennois, a powerful ruler. This plan ended when Andrew died two months later.
- On 15 March 1340, she signed a marriage contract with Louis of Male. He was the only son and heir of Louis I, Count of Flanders. Her dowry, which was money or property given with the bride, was set at 50,000 livres. This engagement was canceled on 6 June 1347. Louis of Male instead married Margaret.
- On 1 July 1345, while still engaged to Louis of Male, another marriage contract was made. This one was with Peter, the son and heir of King Alfonso XI of Castile. However, the Castilian court quickly dropped this plan. Peter instead married Joan, daughter of King Edward III of England.
Becoming Queen of France
On 29 January 1350, Blanche married King Philip VI of France in Brie-Comte-Robert. The king was forty years older than her. She was first meant to marry Philip's son, John, Duke of Normandy. But Blanche was known as one of the most beautiful princesses of her time. People even called her "Beautiful Wisdom" (French: Belle Sagesse). King Philip VI was so impressed by her beauty that he decided to marry her himself. His son, John, then married Blanche's cousin, Joan I, Countess of Auvergne.
The writer Jean Le Bel described it like this:
«...the father took the beautiful young damsel Blanche, whom his son had wanted as a wife. The father was so attracted to her for her beauty and gracefulness that he married her, and gave his son in marriage to the damsel Blanche's first cousin.»
Because of the Black Death spreading across the kingdom, Blanche was not crowned Queen after her wedding. Her marriage to King Philip VI lasted only six months. He died suddenly on 22 August 1350. Blanche was pregnant at the time. Nine months later, in May 1351, she gave birth to a daughter named Joan.
After King Philip VI died, Pope Clement VI thought Blanche should marry King Peter of Castile. This would help make the kingdoms of Castile and France stronger allies. The Pope wrote to Blanche's brother, King Charles II of Navarre, about this idea. The marriage plan was put on hold because Blanche was pregnant. But after her daughter was born, the Pope insisted again. However, Blanche refused to marry a second time. She famously said, "French: Les reines de France ne se remarient point" (The Queens of France do not remarry). The Pope even tried to convince her through her aunt, Joan of Évreux, who was also a Dowager Queen of France. But Blanche firmly said no to the Pope's suggestion.
Life as a Widow
After becoming a widow, Blanche moved to Neaufles-Saint-Martin. This was a residence near Gisors that her husband had given her. She focused on raising her daughter, Joan. Joan was engaged to Infante John, Duke of Girona, the son and heir of King Peter IV of Aragon. Their marriage contract was signed on 16 July 1370. Sadly, Princess Joan died on 16 September 1371 in Béziers, while traveling to her wedding.
Even though Blanche lived a quiet life, she sometimes returned to the royal court. She tried to help her brother, King Charles II of Navarre, get along better with King John II of France. For example, after Charles de la Cerda was killed on 8 January 1354, Blanche convinced the French king to sign the Treaty of Mantes with the King of Navarre on 22 February of that year.
Blanche also had influence during the reign of King Charles VI of France.
- On 2 October 1380, she was present when the young king's regency (when others ruled for him) officially ended.
- On 18 July 1385, she welcomed King Charles VI's new wife, Isabeau of Bavaria, at Creil. Blanche was given the important job of teaching the new Queen about French court traditions and manners.
- On 22 August 1389, Blanche organized Queen Isabeau's grand entry into Paris. This event happened just before her coronation.
- During the coronation ceremony at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Blanche stood by King Charles VI. Her cousin, Princess Blanche of France, Duchess of Orleans, was also there.
After this ceremony, Blanche returned to Neaufles-Saint-Martin. She died there on 5 October 1398, at the age of 67. She was buried in the royal burial place at the Basilica of Saint-Denis, next to her daughter. Sadly, her tomb was damaged by revolutionaries on 17 October 1793.
Blanche in Books
Blanche of Navarre is a small character in the historical book series "The Accursed Kings" (French: Les Rois maudits) by Maurice Druon. She appears in the seventh and last book, called When a King loses France. The author describes her:
«Then there is Madame Blanche, the sister of Charles of Navarre, the second wife of Philip VI, who was only queen six months, barely enough time to get used to wearing a crown. She has the reputation of being the most beautiful woman in the kingdom. I saw her recently, and I gladly ratify this judgment. She is twenty-four now, and for six years now she has wondered what use there can be in the whiteness of her skin, her enamel eyes, and her perfect body. Had nature given her a less splendid appearance, she would be queen now, since she was destined for King John! ...The late king only took her for himself because he was pierced by her beauty. After she had, in half a year, made her husband pass from the bed to the tomb, she was proposed in marriage to the King of Castile, Don Pedro, whom his subjects nicknamed "the Cruel." She sent her answer, perhaps a little hastily: "A queen of France does not remarry." She was greatly praised for this expression of dignity. But now she wonders if it was not a very heavy sacrifice that she made for her past magnificence. The domain of Melun is her dower. She makes great embellishments there; but although she can change the rugs and hangings that make up her room at Christmas and Easter, it is always alone that she sleeps there.»
—Maurice Druon, When a King loses France.
See also
In Spanish: Blanca de Évreux para niños
