Joan I of Navarre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joan I |
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Queen Joan as Benefactress, c. 1305, limestone
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| Reign | 22 July 1274 – 2 April 1305 |
| Predecessor | Henry I |
| Successor | Louis I |
| Queen consort of France | |
| Tenure | 5 October 1285 – 2 April 1305 |
| Coronation | 5 January 1286 |
| Born | 14 January 1273 Bar-sur-Seine, Kingdom of France |
| Died | 2 April 1305 (aged 32) Château de Vincennes, Kingdom of France |
| Burial | Paris |
| Spouse | |
| Issue more… |
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| House | Blois |
| Father | Henry I, King of Navarre |
| Mother | Blanche of Artois |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Joan I (born 14 January 1273 – died 2 April 1305) was an important queen in medieval Europe. She was the Queen of Navarre and the Countess of Champagne from 1274 until her death in 1305. She also became Queen of France when she married King Philip IV. Joan founded the College of Navarre in Paris in 1305, which was a famous school.
Even though she was Queen of Navarre, French officials usually ruled it for her. However, she was very active as the ruler of Champagne. She even led an army to protect Champagne from an invasion. Joan died in 1305.
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Early Life and Becoming Queen
Joan was born in Bar-sur-Seine, a place in Champagne, on 14 January 1273. Her parents were King Henry I of Navarre and Blanche of Artois. When Joan was only one year old, her father died. This meant she became the Countess of Champagne and Queen of Navarre.
Because Joan was so young, her mother, Blanche, became her guardian. Blanche also ruled Navarre for Joan. Many powerful people wanted to take advantage of Joan being a child ruler. So, Joan and her mother went to the court of Philip III of France for protection.
In 1275, Joan's mother made an agreement called the Treaty of Orléans. This agreement arranged for Joan to marry one of King Philip III's sons. After this, Joan grew up with Philip, who would later become King Philip IV. It is not clear if Joan ever lived in Navarre during her childhood.
Queen of France
When Joan was 11 years old, she married Philip IV of France on 16 August 1284. A year later, in 1285, she became the Queen of France. All three of her sons who lived to adulthood later became kings of France. Her only daughter who survived, Isabella, became the Queen of England.
Joan was seen as a very successful Queen of France. She made sure there would be heirs to the throne. She was also a good leader of the royal court. She had a very close relationship with King Philip IV. They had grown up together, and he respected and loved her deeply. Some historians think Philip's strong feelings for her might be why she never visited Navarre.
In 1294, King Philip named Joan as a regent for France. This meant she would rule France if their son became king while still a child. However, she mostly focused on her own lands, Navarre and Champagne. In 1305, she founded the College of Navarre in Paris. This college became an important center for learning.
Joan was considered old enough to rule when she married in 1284. She officially promised loyalty for Champagne and Brie to her father-in-law in Paris.
Joan never actually visited the Kingdom of Navarre. French officials, chosen first by her father-in-law and then by her husband, ruled Navarre in her name. The people of Navarre did not like these French officials. They also wished Joan would visit her kingdom. However, they still felt loyal to her, believing she was their true ruler. From far away, Joan issued official orders and had coins made with her image. She also supported churches and convents in Navarre.
Joan was much more involved in ruling Champagne. Even though it was a county and not a kingdom, Champagne was very rich and important. Joan visited Champagne often and actively took part in ruling it. She was not a passive ruler there. In 1297, she even led an army against Count Henry III of Bar when he attacked Champagne. Joan captured the count and put him in prison before joining her husband.
Joan died in 1305. She was buried at the Cordeliers Convent in Paris.
Children
Joan and Philip IV of France had several children:
- Margaret (born 1288 – died around 1294)
- Louis X, who became King of Navarre in 1305 and King of France in 1314 (born October 1289 – died 5 June 1316)
- Blanche (born 1290 – died around 1294)
- Philip V, who became King of France and Navarre (born around 1293 – died 3 January 1322)
- Charles IV, who became King of France and Navarre (born around 1294 – died 1 February 1328)
- Isabella (born around 1295 – died 23 August 1358), who married Edward II of England and became Queen of England.
- Robert (born 1297 – died July 1308)
See also
In Spanish: Juana I de Navarra para niños
