Madeleine of Valois (1443–1495) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Madeleine of Valois |
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| Princess of Viana | |
Madeleine of France, as betrothed of Ladislaus the Posthumous, c. 1457
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| Born | 1 December 1443 Tours |
| Died | 21 January 1495 (aged 51) Pamplona |
| Burial | Pamplona Cathedral |
| Spouse | Gaston of Foix, Prince of Viana |
| Issue | Francis Phoebus, King of Navarre Catherine, Queen of Navarre |
| House | Valois |
| Father | Charles VII, King of France |
| Mother | Marie of Anjou |
Meet Madeleine of France, also known as Magdalene of Valois (born December 1, 1443 – died January 21, 1495). She was a French princess who became the Princess of Viana when she married Gaston of Foix. Madeleine was a powerful leader, serving as the regent of Navarre from 1479 to 1494. During this time, she guided her two children, Francis Phoebus and Catherine, who both became rulers of Navarre.
Madeleine's Early Life
Madeleine was born in Tours, France. Her parents were Charles VII of France, the King of France, and Marie of Anjou.
When Madeleine was young, she was promised in marriage to a prince named Ladislaus the Posthumous. Sadly, he passed away suddenly in Prague in 1457, just before their wedding. For a long time, people wondered if he had been poisoned. However, much later, in the 1900s, scientists discovered that Ladislaus actually died from a serious illness called leukemia, which doctors didn't understand back then.
Instead, Madeleine married Gaston, Prince of Viana, in 1461. Gaston was the son of Gaston IV of Foix and Eleanor of Navarre.
Madeleine's husband, Gaston, passed away in 1470. This meant that when his father, Gaston IV, died in 1472, Madeleine's son, Francis Phoebus, inherited their lands. In 1479, Francis Phoebus became the heir to the throne of Navarre. This happened after his great-grandfather, King John II of Aragon and Navarre, died. King John II had left Navarre to Madeleine's mother-in-law, Eleanor. However, Eleanor was queen for only a few weeks before she also passed away.
When Francis Phoebus became king, Madeleine became his regent. A regent is someone who rules a country when the king or queen is too young. Sadly, Francis Phoebus died in 1483 when he was only 15. Madeleine then continued to be regent for her daughter, Catherine, who became the next queen. Madeleine faced challenges during her regency, including a struggle with her brother-in-law, John of Foix, who also wanted to be king of Navarre.
Madeleine made important decisions to protect Navarre. In 1483, she arranged for her daughter Catherine to marry a French nobleman. She chose this path to keep Navarre independent and prevent it from being taken over by the powerful kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. Madeleine remained a strong regent for Catherine, even after Catherine grew up and became queen. She continued to guide Navarre's affairs, showing her dedication to her country and family.
In 1494, Madeleine was taken hostage by Ferdinand II of Aragon. This event marked the end of her time as regent. After this, her daughter Catherine and son-in-law took full control of Navarre. Madeleine passed away the next year in Pamplona.
Her Children
Madeleine had two children who both became rulers of Navarre:
- Francis Phoebus (born 1467 – died 1483), who became King of Navarre.
- Catherine (born 1470 – died 1517), who became Queen of Navarre. She married John of Albret in 1484.
