Isabella of Brittany facts for kids

Isabella of Brittany was a princess born in 1411. Her parents were John V, Duke of Brittany, a powerful ruler, and Joan of Valois. Isabella belonged to an important family called the House of Dreux. She lived during a time when Europe saw many changes and conflicts, like the Hundred Years' War.

Isabella's Royal Family Connections

Isabella had many important family members. Her grandparents on her mother's side were Charles VI of France, who was the King of France, and Isabeau of Bavaria, the Queen of France.

Her grandparents on her father's side were John IV, Duke of Brittany and Joan of Navarre. It's interesting to know that three of Isabella's relatives became Queens of England!

Queens of England in Isabella's Family

Two of Isabella's aunts, her mother's sisters, became Queens of England:

• Isabella of Valois married Richard II of England.
• Catherine of Valois married Henry V of England.

Also, after Isabella's grandfather, John IV, passed away, her grandmother, Joan, married Henry IV of England. This made Joan also a Queen of England. So, Isabella had strong connections to both the French and English royal families.

Isabella's Marriage and Children

On October 1, 1430, Isabella got married in a town called Redon. She married Guy XIV de Laval. Guy was a brave knight who fought in many battles during the Hundred Years' War. He even fought alongside the famous French hero, Joan of Arc.

Before Isabella, Guy was supposed to marry her younger sister, Margaret. But Margaret sadly passed away before the wedding could happen. So, Guy married Isabella instead.

Isabella and Guy had a large family with ten children:

• Yolande of Laval (born 1431)
• Françoise of Laval (born and died 1432)
• Jeanne de Laval (born 1433), who later married René of Anjou.
• Anne of Laval (born and died 1434)
• François of Laval (born 1435), who later became Guy XV, following his father.
• Jean of Laval (born 1437), who was a twin with Arthuse.
• Arthuse of Laval (born 1437), Jean's twin sister.
• Hélène of Laval (born 1439)
• Louise of Laval (born 1441)
• Pierre of Laval (born 1442), who became an important church leader as the archbishop of Rheims.

Isabella passed away around 1444 and was buried in Nantes. After her death, her husband Guy married again. He married Françoise de Dinan, who was the widow of Isabella's younger brother, Gilles. Guy was buried in Laval.

Isabella's Family Tree

This family tree shows Isabella's family, especially her father's side, her mother, and her brothers. It helps you see how different family members are connected. It also shows that after her brothers passed away, her uncle, Arthur, became the Duke of Brittany.