Madeleine of Valois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Madeleine of Valois |
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Portrait by Corneille de la Haye
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| Queen consort of Scotland | |
| Tenure | 1 January 1537 – 7 July 1537 |
| Born | 10 August 1520 Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France |
| Died | 7 July 1537 (aged 16) Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Burial | Holyrood Abbey |
| Spouse |
James V of Scotland
(m. 1537) |
| House | Valois-Angoulême |
| Father | Francis I of France |
| Mother | Claude, Duchess of Brittany |
Madeleine of Valois (born August 10, 1520 – died July 7, 1537) was a French princess. She became the Queen of Scotland for a very short time in 1537. She was the first wife of King James V of Scotland. Their marriage was part of a special agreement between France and Scotland. They married in Paris in January 1537. Madeleine was often ill, and her health was a concern. She passed away in July 1537, just six months after her wedding. She had been in Scotland for less than two months. Because of her brief time as queen, she became known as the "Summer Queen."
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Growing Up in France
Madeleine was born in France at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. She was the fifth child of King Francis I of France and Queen Claude. Her mother was the daughter of King Louis XII.
Madeleine was weak and often ill from birth. She grew up in the warmer Loire Valley region of France. Her father worried that the colder weather in Paris would make her health worse. She and her sister, Margaret, were cared for by their aunt, Marguerite de Navarre. Later, her stepmother, Eleanor of Austria, took them into her home. By the time she was sixteen, Madeleine was suffering from a serious illness.
A Royal Marriage Proposal
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Years before Madeleine was born, France and Scotland made an agreement. This was the Treaty of Rouen in 1517. It aimed to strengthen the "Auld Alliance" (an old friendship) between the two countries. This alliance was important after Scotland's defeat at the Battle of Flodden. One part of the treaty was a marriage between a French princess and the Scottish King.
In 1530, John Stewart, Duke of Albany, worked to arrange this royal marriage. However, because Madeleine's health was so poor, another French bride was suggested. This was Mary of Bourbon. King James V sent someone to meet Mary of Bourbon. A marriage contract was even made for them.
In 1536, King James V traveled to France to meet Mary of Bourbon. But when he arrived, he was not interested in her. Instead, James was captivated by the delicate Princess Madeleine. He asked her father, King Francis I, for her hand in marriage. King Francis I was worried about his daughter's weak health. He feared the cold climate of Scotland would be dangerous for her. So, he first refused the marriage.
James V continued to ask for Madeleine's hand. Despite his worries, King Francis I finally agreed. This happened after Madeleine herself made it clear she wanted to marry James. The marriage contract was officially signed on November 26, 1536.
A Grand Wedding in Paris
King Francis I made sure Madeleine had many beautiful things for her wedding. He provided jewels, gold chains, fine linens, and splendid clothes. A special platform was built from the Archbishop's Palace to Notre-Dame de Paris. This made it easy for the royal party to reach the cathedral.
James V bought a diamond "spousing ring" for Madeleine. It was a very expensive gift. After a grand parade into Paris on December 31, 1536, the wedding took place. They were married at Notre-Dame Cathedral on January 1, 1537. Madeleine wore a precious gold crown and beautiful clothes. Many French ladies wore gowns covered in embroidery, pearls, and gemstones. James's Scottish friends also wore fine French-style clothing.
That evening, a huge banquet was held. There were also dances and masquerades. Over the next two weeks, more celebrations and tournaments took place. King Francis I gave Madeleine a very generous dowry (money or property brought by a bride to her husband). Madeleine also agreed to give up any future claims to the French throne for herself or her children.
Queen of Scotland for a Summer
After months of celebrations, the royal couple left France for Scotland in May 1537. They sailed from Le Havre with a fleet of French and Scottish ships. Madeleine's health grew much worse during the journey. She was very ill when they finally arrived in Scotland. They landed at Leith on May 19, 1537.
The ships carried many valuable items for the new queen. These included costly jewels, gold items, precious stones, and beautiful clothes. King Francis I also gave James V three ships as a wedding gift. Madeleine moved into Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh on May 21, 1537.
In Edinburgh, there were more celebrations. The city's craft groups held a procession on the High Street. French drummers, trumpeters, and musicians added to the festive atmosphere. Madeleine had many French attendants with her in Scotland. These included her former governess, her nurse, and a physician.
Her Final Days
On June 8, 1537, Madeleine wrote to her father from Edinburgh. She said she felt better and her symptoms were improving. James V had asked Francis I to send a special physician. Madeleine hoped this doctor would help her fully recover. She signed her letter "Magdalene de France."
However, her improvement was short-lived. Just one month later, on July 7, 1537, Madeleine passed away. She died in her husband's arms at Holyrood Palace. She was almost 17 years old. King James V wrote to Francis I to share the sad news. He called Madeleine "my dear companion."
Queen Madeleine was buried in Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh. She was laid to rest next to King James II of Scotland. Her funeral was a somber event. People wore black mourning clothes, which was a new custom in Scotland at the time. Her health had been poor since her arrival in Scotland.
Remembering the Summer Queen
Madeleine's marriage and early death were remembered by many. The Scottish poet David Lyndsay wrote a poem called Deploration of Deith of Quene Magdalene. This poem described the grand wedding celebrations in France and Scotland. It also spoke of the sadness of her death. Other writers in France also wrote poems in her memory.
Less than a year after Madeleine's death, King James V married again. His second wife was Mary of Guise. She had actually been present at his wedding to Madeleine.
