Isabelle of Flanders, Countess
of Artois, (1170-1190)
daughter of Baudouin V-VIII, Count of Flanders & Hainault
and Margarethe of Flanders
Born April 1170 Valenciennes
Died 15 March 1190 Paris
Married 28 April 1180 Bapaume
Philippe II August, King of France 1180-1223
Born 22 August 1165 Gonesse
Died 14 July 1223 Mantes
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In 1179 she was promised in marriage to the son of the Count of Champagne;
but when the political scene changed, she became engaged to the son of
the king. The nuptials were to take place when she was nubile and, in 1184,
she was judged to be so. However, as the
political alliances had again changed, Philippe II August, under the
influence of his uncles, tried to break off the marriage before it was
consummated.
The reason given was consanguinity but then young Isabelle went barefoot
through the streets of the city , followed by lepers and the poor, all
of whom joined her in demanding her rights outside the palace. Philippe
took her back 'out of marital duty and without communicating with her in
bed'. In 1187 she gave birth to a son, Louis, but three years later, after
also having given birth to stillborn twins in 1190, she died shortly afterwards.
Source: Leo van de Pas |
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