Margaret of France, Queen of England facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Margaret of France |
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Statue at Lincoln Cathedral
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| Queen consort of England | |
| Tenure | 8 September 1299 – 7 July 1307 |
| Born | c. 1279 Paris, France |
| Died | 14 February 1318 (aged 38–39) Marlborough Castle, Wiltshire, England |
| Burial | Christ Church Greyfriars, Newgate, England |
| Spouse | |
| Issue more... |
Thomas, Earl of Norfolk Edmund, Earl of Kent |
| House | Capet |
| Father | Philip III of France |
| Mother | Maria of Brabant |
Margaret of France (c. 1279 – 14 February 1318) was a Queen consort of England. She became queen by marrying King Edward I. Margaret was the second wife of King Edward I. She was a daughter of Philip III of France and Maria of Brabant.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Margaret was born around 1279 in Paris, France. Her father was King Philip III of France. Her mother was Maria of Brabant, who was Philip III's second wife.
Margaret was only six years old when her father died. She grew up under the care of her mother. She also spent time with Queen Joan I of Navarre. Joan was the wife of Margaret's half-brother, King Philip IV.
Marriage to King Edward I
King Edward I of England lost his first wife, Eleanor of Castile, in 1290. He was very sad. At this time, Edward was fighting wars with France and Scotland. He only had one son who was still alive, Edward. The king wanted to remarry to have more sons.
In 1291, Edward planned for his son to marry Blanche. She was Margaret's half-sister. This was meant to help make peace with France. Edward heard Blanche was very beautiful. He decided he wanted her for himself instead.
King Philip IV of France agreed to let Blanche marry Edward. But he had conditions. There had to be a truce between their countries. Edward also had to give up a French region called Gascony.
Edward agreed and sent his brother to bring Blanche. However, Edward had been tricked. Blanche was already going to marry someone else. Instead, Philip IV offered Margaret, Blanche's younger sister. Margaret was much younger than Edward, who was 55 at the time. Edward refused to marry Margaret and declared war on France.
After five years, a truce was finally made. This happened because Pope Boniface VIII helped. In 1299, several agreements were made. King Edward I would marry Margaret. His son, Edward, would marry Isabella, Philip IV's daughter. England also got back some important lands.
Life as Queen of England
Edward I was 60 years old when he married Margaret. Margaret was only about 20. Their wedding took place in Canterbury on September 10, 1299. Margaret was never officially crowned queen. This was because of money problems. She was the first queen since the Norman Conquest not to have a coronation.
Even without a crown, Margaret was still respected as the king's wife. She used the royal title in her letters. She also appeared in public wearing a crown.
Soon after the wedding, Margaret became pregnant. Edward went back to fight in Scotland. Margaret stayed in London. After a few months, she felt bored and lonely. She decided to join her husband. The king was very happy. Her actions reminded him of his first wife, Eleanor.
Margaret gave birth to a son, Thomas, less than a year later. The next year, she had another son, Edmund.
Margaret was known for being kind. She often helped people who had angered the king. She would ask Edward to be less harsh. Many people were pardoned because she asked for them. In 1305, she helped her stepson, Edward (the future King Edward II). He had argued with his father. Margaret helped them make up. She and her stepson became good friends. He was only two years younger than her.
Margaret supported the Franciscan religious order. She gave money to a new church in Newgate. She and Edward enjoyed playing chess. Despite their age difference, they were very happy together. When her sister Blanche died in 1305, Edward ordered everyone at court to mourn. He did this to comfort his wife. People saw Margaret as a good and virtuous queen.
In 1306, Margaret had a daughter named Eleanor. This was a surprising choice. Eleanor was named after Edward's first wife. This showed that Margaret was not jealous. In 1307, Margaret went with Edward on a trip to Scotland. Edward died there.
Life as a Widow
Margaret was only 26 when Edward I died in 1307. She never married again. She reportedly said that "when Edward died, all men died for me."
Margaret was not happy when Edward II became king. He gave the title of Earl of Cornwall to Piers Gaveston. Margaret had hoped this title would go to one of her own sons.
Margaret attended Edward II's wedding to her niece, Isabella. After Isabella's coronation, Margaret moved to Marlborough Castle. This castle was her dower house, meaning it was hers to use as a widow. She kept in touch with the new queen and her half-brother Philip IV.
Margaret also faced problems because of Gaveston. Edward II gave some of Margaret's lands to Gaveston. In 1308, it was reported that Margaret had given money to support English nobles against Gaveston. Gaveston was briefly sent away. Margaret was mostly left alone until Gaveston died in 1312.
Margaret was present when Edward III was born in November 1312.
Margaret died on February 14, 1318, at Marlborough Castle. She was buried at Christ Church Greyfriars in London. This was a church she had supported. Her tomb was later destroyed during the Reformation.
Children of Margaret and Edward I
Margaret and Edward I had three children:
- Thomas of Brotherton, 1st Earl of Norfolk (born 1300 – died 1338)
- Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent (born 1301 – died 1330)
- Eleanor (born 1306 – died 1311)
Images for kids
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Statue at Lincoln Cathedral
See also
In Spanish: Margarita de Francia, reina de Inglaterra para niños
