Isabella of France

1295 – 1358 · Generation XV

Isabella of France (1295–1358). Married Edward II of Caernarfon in 1308. One of their children is recorded in this archive. The only surviving daughter of Philip IV of France and Joan I of Navarre — all three of her brothers became French kings — she married Edward at Boulogne when probably about twelve. At first she backed her husband and worked with his favourite Piers Gaveston, but she could not abide his later favourite, Hugh Despenser the Younger, and by 1325 the marriage had collapsed. On a mission to France that year she may have become Roger Mortimer’s lover. In 1326 they returned with hired troops, Edward’s support melted away, and she ruled as regent for her son Edward III. The deposed king was reported dead at Berkeley Castle in 1327; some believe she had him killed. In 1330 her son seized Mortimer at Nottingham Castle and had him executed, ending her rule, yet she lived on in wealth at Castle Rising. She was buried with her husband’s heart.

Place in the family

Isabella of France was a 5× great-grandmother of King Henry VIII.
The archive records 138 of her descendants, across 25 generations.

Partners

Married King Edward II (1284 – 1327) in 1308 — one child together

Children

King Edward III (1312 – 1377)

Life

1295 — Born
1308 — Married Edward II of Caernarfon
1358 — Died