Ermengarde de Beaumont facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ermengarde de Beaumont |
|
|---|---|
| Queen consort of Scotland | |
| Tenure | 1186–1214 |
| Born | c. 1170 |
| Died | 12 February 1233 (aged 62–63) or 12 February 1234 (aged 63–64) Scotland |
| Burial | Balmerino Abbey, Fife, Scotland |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | Margaret, Countess of Kent Isabella, Countess of Norfolk Alexander II, King of Scots Marjorie, Countess of Pembroke |
| Father | Richard I, Viscount de Beaumont-le-Vicomte, de Fresnay et de Ste-Suzanne |
| Mother | Lucie de l'Aigle |
Ermengarde de Beaumont (born around 1170 – died February 12, 1233 or 1234) was a Queen of Scotland. She was married to King William I. Many people believed she had a lot of influence over important decisions in the country during her time as queen.
Life as Queen
Ermengarde was born around 1170. Her father was Richard I, Viscount of Beaumont-le-Vicomte. Her mother was Lucie de l'Aigle.
She married King William I of Scotland on September 5, 1186. Their wedding took place at the royal chapel at Woodstock Palace in England. King Henry II of England helped arrange this marriage. William thought Ermengarde was not important enough for him. But he agreed after Henry offered to pay for the wedding. Henry also offered land and to return castles to William. One of these castles was Edinburgh.
A writer named Walter Bower said Ermengarde was an 'extraordinary woman'. He also said she was 'gifted with a charming and witty eloquence'. King William had many girlfriends before he married Ermengarde. But after their wedding, he was always faithful to her.
Ermengarde's family members gained benefits because she was queen. She even helped lead a difficult court case with the Bishop of St. Andrews. In 1207, there was a complaint about someone bribing the King and Queen. This was to get a high church position.
Queen Ermengarde helped change a treaty in 1209. This was probably because her husband, King William, was not well. As William got older and sicker, Ermengarde took on some of his duties. It seems she had a lot of power in public matters. In 1212, she went with William and their children to meet King John of England. They wanted to make sure their son Alexander would become king next.
When King William died in 1214, Ermengarde was very sad.
Life as Queen Dowager
After her husband died, Ermengarde became a queen dowager. This means she was a queen who outlived her king. She spent her time building a Cistercian abbey. This abbey was in Balmerino in Fife. It was finished in 1229. She often visited the abbey as a guest with her son Alexander. She stayed there many times.
Ermengarde died on February 12, 1233 or 1234. She was buried at St Edward of Balmerino Abbey, Fife.
Her Children
Ermengarde and King William I had four children:
- Margaret of Scotland (1193–1259). She married Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent.
- Isabella of Scotland (1195–1253). She married Roger Bigod, 4th Earl of Norfolk.
- Alexander II of Scotland (1198–1249). He became King of Scots.
- Marjorie of Scotland (1200–1244). She married Gilbert Marshal, 4th Earl of Pembroke.
