Isabella, Countess of Gloucester facts for kids

Isabella, Countess of Gloucester (born around 1173 or 1174 – died October 14, 1217) was an important English noblewoman. She was married to King John before he became king.

Family Background

Isabella was the daughter of William Fitz Robert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester, and his wife, Hawise. Her grandfather, Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, was a son of King Henry I, born outside of marriage.

When her father died in 1183, Isabella became the Countess of Gloucester. This meant she inherited the title and lands herself, which was quite powerful for a woman at that time.

Marriage to Prince John

On September 28, 1176, King Henry II promised Isabella to his youngest son, John Lackland. John and Isabella were related by blood, as they were both great-grandchildren of King Henry I. This kind of close family relationship was usually against the rules of the Church for marriage.

However, King Henry II agreed to find Isabella the best possible husband if the Pope did not allow the marriage. He also made Isabella the only heir to Gloucester, meaning her two sisters would not inherit.

On August 29, 1189, John and Isabella were married at Marlborough Castle. John then took over the Earldom of Gloucester because of his marriage to her. But Baldwin, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said the marriage was not valid because they were related. He even put their lands under an interdict, which was a Church punishment.

Later, Pope Clement III lifted the interdict. The Pope gave them special permission to be married, called a dispensation.

Marriage Annulment

Soon after John became king in 1199, his marriage to Isabella was declared invalid. This happened before the end of August that year. The annulment was granted because they were related by blood.

Even though the marriage was annulled, King John kept Isabella's lands. Isabella did not argue against this decision.

Countess of Gloucester Again

After her marriage to King John was annulled, the title of Earl of Gloucester was given to Isabella's nephew, Amaury. This was to make up for Amaury losing his French title.

When Amaury died in 1213 without any children, Isabella became the Countess of Gloucester once more.

Later Marriages and Death

Isabella married again on January 20, 1214, to Geoffrey FitzGeoffrey de Mandeville, 2nd Earl of Essex. He died in 1216.

A year after his death, in September 1217, she married Hubert de Burgh. He later became an important official in England called the justiciar.

Isabella died only about a month after her third marriage, on October 14, 1217. She was probably at Keynsham Abbey in Somerset, a place her father had founded. She was buried in Canterbury Cathedral.

Isabella in Stories

Isabella has appeared as a character in several historical novels and TV shows:

• In the novel The Devil and King John by Philip Lindsay, she is shown as a witch named Hadwisa.
• She appears as Hadwisa in the TV series Robin of Sherwood, played by Patricia Hodge.
• In The Adventures of Robin Hood episode "Isabella," she is a character named Avice, played by Helen Cherry.
• Jessica Raine plays her in the 2010 movie Robin Hood.
• She is briefly featured as Avisa in Virginia Henley's novel The Falcon and the Flower.
• She appears as Isobel in Roberta Gellis's historical romance novel Roselynde.
• She is in Maureen Peters' historical novel Lackland's Bride.
• She appears as Avisa in Sharon Kay Penman's historical novel Here Be Dragons.
• She appears as Avisa in Erica Laine's historical novel Isabella of Angouleme: the Tangled Queen Part One.

Images for kids

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  A robot for kids.

See also

In Spanish: Isabel de Gloucester para niños