Sanchia of Provence was the third daughter of Raymond Berengar V, count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy. Her elder sisters Marguerite and Eleanor made noteworthy marriages to Louis IX of France and Henry III of England respectively, opening the door for Sanchia to make an equally advantageous match herself. Sanchia of Provence's seal. Although … Continue reading A Queen in Name Only
Tag: Queenship
The Hated Queen
Her elder sister Marguerite’s marriage to the King of France, paved the way for Eleanor of Provence to make a glittering dynastic match of her own. In 1236 she married Henry III of England becoming Queen of England. Yet despite building a close loving family with Henry and their five children, she was one of … Continue reading The Hated Queen
Sisters & Queens
In 13th century Provence there lived four sisters. Daughters of Count Raymond Berengar V of Provence and his wife Beatrice of Savoy, all would rise to greatness becoming Queens of France, England, Germany and Sicily respectively. These sisters had a huge impact on Western Christendom, and this month we’ll explore how the personal affected the … Continue reading Sisters & Queens
Namesake: The Daughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine
It was pretty standard in medieval Europe for people to name their children after themselves, with Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine no different. Their second son was named Henry after his father, and their second daughter was named Eleanor after her mother. Upon her marriage she became Leonor so for clarity in … Continue reading Namesake: The Daughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine
Women and Power in the Kingdom of Heaven: Melisende and Sybil Lecture by Professor Helen Nicholson and Hayley Bassett
Earlier this week I attended the fantastic Eileen Younghusband Memorial Lecture Women and Power in the Kingdom of Heaven: Melisende and Sybil hosted by the Centre for Lifelong Learning at Cardiff University. I’ve been interested in the queens of Jerusalem since picking up a copy of Queens of Jerusalem: The Women Who Dared to Rule … Continue reading Women and Power in the Kingdom of Heaven: Melisende and Sybil Lecture by Professor Helen Nicholson and Hayley Bassett