Biography
Biography
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Blanche (of Castile)
| Born | March 1188 | Born At | |
| Died | November 1252 | Buried At | |
| Father | Alfonso (VIII, King of Castile) | Mother | Eleanor (of England) |
| Born | March 1188 / |
| Died | November 1252 / |
Daughter of Eleanor (Daughter of Henry II) and Alfonso, King of Castile. Married Louis VIII, King of France. Louis VIII died in 1226 leaving Louis VIX, his son, as the new king of France. But Louis VIX was only around twelve years old when his father died and so Blanche became regent of France and ruled on his behalf. She ruled France initially from 1226 to 1234 when Louis was old enough to rule unaided and again from 1248 until her death in 1252 while Louis was on crusade. Blanche could be thought of as an equal with the kings of France as while she was Regent she managed to protect the country against King Henry III who wanted to retake lands that King John had lost. She also defended France against the powerful barons of Brittany, and Toulouse. She arranged the money for Louis to go on crusade.
Family Tree Details
Blanche (of Castile) (b.1188 - d.1252)
+Louis (VIII, The Lion, King of France 1223-1226) (b.1187 - d.1226)
= Louis (IX, King of France, St. Louis) (b.1215 - d.1270)
+Margaret (of Provence)
= Philippe (III, King of France 1270-1285) (b.1243 - d.1285)
+Isabella (of Aragon) ( - d.1271)
| = Philippe (IV, The Fair, King of France 1285-1314) (b.1268 - d.1314)
| = Charles (Count of Valois, Anjou and Maine)
+Maria (of Brabant) (b.1254 - d.1322)
= Margaret (of France) (b.1279? - d.1317)
+Louis (VIII, The Lion, King of France 1223-1226) (b.1187 - d.1226)
= Louis (IX, King of France, St. Louis) (b.1215 - d.1270)
+Margaret (of Provence)
= Philippe (III, King of France 1270-1285) (b.1243 - d.1285)
+Isabella (of Aragon) ( - d.1271)
| = Philippe (IV, The Fair, King of France 1285-1314) (b.1268 - d.1314)
| = Charles (Count of Valois, Anjou and Maine)
+Maria (of Brabant) (b.1254 - d.1322)
= Margaret (of France) (b.1279? - d.1317)
Blanche (of Castile) (b.1188 - d.1252)
+Louis (VIII, The Lion, King of France 1223-1226) (b.1187 - d.1226)
= Louis (IX, King of France, St. Louis) (b.1215 - d.1270)
+Margaret (of Provence)
= Philippe (III, King of France 1270-1285) (b.1243 - d.1285)
+Isabella (of Aragon) ( - d.1271)
| = Philippe (IV, The Fair, King of France 1285-1314) (b.1268 - d.1314)
| = Charles (Count of Valois, Anjou and Maine)
+Maria (of Brabant) (b.1254 - d.1322)
= Margaret (of France) (b.1279? - d.1317)
See Also
Timeline
1226 (Age: 38yrs)
(to 1234)
When Louis IX became king of France he was too young to rule. His mother, Blanche of Castile, ruled France on his behalf.
At just twelve years old, upon the death of his father, Louis IX became king of France. Because Louis was too young to rule, France was governed by the queen-mother Blanche of Castile, the widow of Louis VIII. The English believed the time was right to regain lost ground in Normandy, but it would be several years before any expeditions would take place. ¹
1235 (Age: 47yrs)
Louis IX, being twenty-one years old, had the authority to rule France unaided. His mother, Blance of Castile, who had been acting as regent since the death of Louis VIII, still had influence over her son.
1248 (Age: 60yrs)
(to 1252)
While her son, Louis IX of France, was away taking part in the Crusades Blance of Castile ruled France. She did so until her death in 1252. ¹
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