Constance of Arles facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Constance of Arles
Depiction of Constance surrendering to her son Henry I of France (c. 1375–1380).
Queen consort of the Franks
Tenure	1003–1031
Born	c. 986 Arles, France
Died	28 July 1032 Melun, France
Burial	Saint Denis Basilica, Paris, France
Spouse	Robert II of France
Issue	Hugh Magnus Henry I, King of France Adela, Countess of Flanders Robert I, Duke of Burgundy
House	Bosonids
Father	William I, Count of Provence
Mother	Adelaide-Blanche of Anjou

Constance of Arles (born around 986, died July 28, 1032) was an important queen of France. She was also known as Constance of Provence. Constance became Queen of France when she married King Robert II of France. She was his third wife.

Life as Queen Constance

Constance was born around the year 986. Her father was William I, Count of Provence, a powerful count. Her mother was Adelaide-Blanche of Anjou. Constance was also the sister of Count William II of Provence.

Constance married King Robert II after he divorced his second wife, Bertha of Burgundy. Their marriage was often difficult. Bertha's family did not like Constance. People also disliked Constance because she brought her family and customs from Provence to the French court.

In 1007, a friend of King Robert, Hugh of Beauvais, tried to convince the king to divorce Constance. A conflict arose, and Hugh of Beauvais died in 1008.

In 1010, King Robert went to Rome. He wanted to divorce Constance and marry Bertha again. But Pope Sergius IV said no. The Pope did not allow marriages between close relatives, and Robert had already divorced two wives. After this, King Robert seemed to love Constance more.

In 1022, some church leaders were accused of heresy. This included Stephen, who used to be Constance's confessor. During their trial, Queen Constance stood at the door. She wanted to prevent any violence from the crowd. However, as the accused left, Constance showed her strong feelings. She even struck one of the accused clerics with her staff. People saw this as Constance showing her anger at anyone who challenged the power of the crown.

Tomb of Robert 'the Pious' and Constance of Arles at Saint-Denis

Constance wanted her oldest son, Hugh Magnus, to become co-king with his father. So, Hugh was crowned in 1017. But later, Hugh wanted more power. He rebelled against his father in 1025. When Constance heard about her son's rebellion, she was very angry with him. Hugh later made peace with his parents. Sadly, he died shortly after, probably around age eighteen. The king and queen were very sad about his death.

King Robert and Queen Constance disagreed about which of their other sons should inherit the throne. King Robert wanted their second son, Henry, to be king. But Constance wanted their third son, Robert. Even though his mother protested, Henry was crowned king in 1027. Constance was not happy when she did not get her way. A bishop named Fulbert of Chartres was afraid to attend the ceremony because of the queen's strong feelings.

Constance even encouraged her sons to rebel against their father. They started attacking towns and castles that belonged to the king. Her son Robert attacked Burgundy, a region he had been promised. Henry took control of Dreux. Finally, King Robert agreed to their demands, and peace was made. This peace lasted until the king died.

King Robert died on July 20, 1031. Soon after, Constance became ill. She was also arguing with both of her surviving sons. Constance took control of her dower lands, which were lands given to her as queen. She refused to give them up. Henry fled to Normandy, where he got help and soldiers from his brother Robert. He returned to attack his mother at Poissy. But Constance escaped to Pontoise. She only gave up when Henry began to attack Le Puiset and promised to harm everyone there.

Constance died on July 28, 1032, after a coughing fit. She was buried next to her husband, King Robert, at Saint-Denis Basilica.

Constance's Children

Constance and King Robert had six children:

• Advisa, Countess of Auxerre (born around 1003, died after 1063)
• Hugh Magnus, co-king (born around 1007, died September 17, 1026)
• Henri (May 17, 1008 – August 4, 1060)
• Adela, Countess of Contenance (1009 – January 8, 1079)
• Robert I, Duke of Burgundy (1011–March 21, 1076)
• Eudes (1013–1056)

See also

In Spanish: Constanza de Arlés para niños