Isabella of France: 'She Wolf' or Survivor?

Was Isabella of France a “she-wolf” or a survivor? Or maybe both?

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Images (from Wikimedia Commons, unless otherwise stated):

Sedilia erected at Westminster Abbey sometime during reign of Edward I, thought to be an image of the King by an unknown artist (between 1272 and 1307). Held by Westminster Abbey.

An illuminated detail from BL Royal MS 20 A ii, Chronicle of England [folio 10], showing Edward II of England receiving his crown (between c. 1307 and c. 1327). Held and digitised by the British Library.

Philip IV of France and his family by an unknown artist: l-r: his sons, Charles IV of France and Philip V of France, his daughter Isabella of France (wife of Edward II of England), himself, his eldest son and heir the King of Navarre, Louis X of France, and his brother, Charles of Valois. Original vellum manuscript dated 1313, filed as Ms Lat 8504 f.1v, Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France.

Photograph of Leeds Castle (panorama taken 2017). Photographed by Chensiyuan.

A near-contemporary miniature showing the future Edward III giving homage to Charles IV of France under the guidance of Edward's mother, and Charles' sister, Isabella, in 1325. Book illustration, 15th century. Held as MS Fr. 2662, Bibliothèque Nationale France.

Illumination showing Isabella landing in England with her son, the future Edward III in 1326 by Jean Fouquet (c.1460). Held by the Bibliothèque nationale de France; Français 6465, folio 338, verso.

Siege of Bristol in 1326 by Queen Isabella where Edward II, his counsellors and favourites (the Despensers) have taken up refuge by Jean Oge. (15th century). Held by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (Panel 4 of BnF MS fr 2663 f.6r) (1326).
Illumination showing the arrest of Edward II by an unknown artist (15th century). Held by the Bibliothèque nationale de France.

Illumination showing Queen Isabella and her army with the body of Hugh Despenser in the background. From a 15th-century manuscript by Jean Pichore 3 (c. 1471-1483), British Library (Royal MS 15 E IV, f. 316v)

Quoted texts:

Christopher Marlowe, Edward II, Act I, Scene iv.

John Carmi Parsons, ODNB entry on Isabella of France.

Also consulted, were:

Other relevant entries from The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Online.

#History #Medieval #SheWolf

[Chris-izrd]

I think being buried in her wedding dress holding the heart was a statement to the fact that she may never have really had his heart while married. She was a survivor.

[foxenandfamily]

I just love this story. I might watch it again! I think the moniker "She-Wolf" can be used not as a slight, but as an admiring complement. Queen Isabella was, quite simply put, a bad-ass.

[pams]

The appellation "She Wolf" is extremely complimentary in my opinion. I would love to have that on my tombstone. 🐺👸

[sarahwatts]

The red hot poker story has always struck me as being in the same class as the circumstances supposedly surrounding the death of Catharine the Great. After all, if they wanted a death with no marks on the body...pillows existed.

[moonbaby]

I have always admired Isabella. She really only fought for her and her children’s rights. She was a she wolf but in the best possible light, she fought for her rights and to see her children. Total bad ass!⚜️

[sjbloop]

I have heard in several histories about her that it wasn't that Edward had male "favorites" it was that these favorites usurped her position and that of other high ranking cortiers. Additionally, he supposedly wasn't doing his husbandly duties which meant she couldn't fulfill her duties to have children. I think being buried with his heart and in her mantel was to reassert her rank as queen and wife. Which would be important for the legitimacy of her heirs by him. I think it is hard to think of it as a purely romantic gesture.

[lesaglover]

👸🏻I think she was a woman who did what was necessary to ensure her survival and that of her children in a time where they were considered traitors simply because they were French.

[prettypic]

The side eye with that William Wallace disclaimer is just *chef's kiss*

[MazMedazzaland]

Isabella is such an interesting, strong person! She had to deal with an awful lot, and I think she's fab. Perhaps she didn't want to bring any disrepute on her son - he didn't exactly share that his mother had been shacked up with Mortimer, even if it might have been commonly known. I liked the idea that she asked to be buried with his heart and the mantle as a way of showing she'd come to England as Queen of England and Edward the 2nd's consort, and she'd leave England as such - but that's based on nothing but the romantic in me. As for if she was a she-wolf - in a positive way, yes. She stood up for herself and her children.🐺👑

[greendemon]

Loved this video! Would love you to make one about Margaret of Anjou too, as her name came up at the end - the OG (and IMO, unfairly maligned) 'she-wolf' queen 👸

[danielsantiagourtado]

The mother of england's greatest king! She definitely was the she-wolf in the best way possible!

[GBunnyG]

Youtube is desperately devoid of deep dives on Isabella and especially her father, and everything that happened during his reign. I love Tudor history but I wish more historical YT'ers would do videos on them. Thank you for all this great info!

[kathyjohnson]

Regarding her burial request, I think she was saying that she married in good faith, pledging to keep true to him, but he had betrayed her and that was the cause of his downfall.

[cmcg]

She's such a fascinating person. I think the being buried w/ Edward II heart may have been a publicity stunt, like, I loved him so much and had nothing to do with his death. Edward III would have grown up with all the power struggles of others usurping various royal roles and was having none of it. Thank you for all your hard work, Dr. Kat!🗼

[asugirlgonenerdy]

Personally, I think she was all the best parts of both opinions—a woman who looked out for the best interests of her children, but also a shrewd and powerful queen. 🐺 👑⚜️

[HawkeyeBrooke]

I know she-wolf is meant as a slur, but I kind of love it as a badge of honor. She was mistreated in her marriage from the start but managed to do her job and provide heirs while maintaining some sort of throuple with Edward and Piers. I think the Despensers were a different level of cruel which pushed her over the edge and she felt she had to set things back to rights. She definitely wasn’t perfect-Mortimer was a ba choice and she nearly got herself in trouble along with him-but I respect her.

[loriw]

Marvelous job. Your voice and narration style are outstanding. I so wish my mother was still alive, for she would have enjoyed your broadcasts and would have praised you for your details and ACCURACY! My mother rarely watched TV - but was always buried in her books or huddled in a library. Degreed history major who lived and breathed European history. Thank you ever so much for your uploads.

[mlgmoore]

I admire her right up to getting greedy, which having watched what happened to her husband and his favorites was amazingly foolish.

[bobbyb]

I believe she did her best in a difficult situation. There had to be some great love and respect by Edward III to treat her so honorably. ⚜️

[Elvertaw]

The heart and wedding mantle? Pure showmanship. “I am the true holder of your heart and interests. O one love you better!!”