Lives of the queens of England, from the Norman conquest. By A. [and E.] Strickland

Isabella the betrothed of Hugh de Lusignan-Parents-Inheritance-Isabella abducted
by king John-Married to king John-Challenge of count Hugh- Queen's arrival
in England-Recognition-Coronation -Arrival at Rouen-Luxury-Conclusion of
Eleanora of Aquitaine's biography-Besieged-Relieved by king John-He captures
count Hugh-Death of Eleanora - Effigy-Character-Queen Isabella's dower-
Her return to England-Her lover, count Hugh, liberated-Isabella's son born-Her
pages-Herd of white cows-King John's cruelty-His jealousy-Her children-In-
heritance Marriage of count Hugh to Isabella's little daughter-Royal dress-

164

188

202

Murder of Matilda the Fair-John's atrocities-Meets the queen at Marlborough-
She retires to Gloucester with her children-John's death-Queen's proceedings-
Coronation of her son-She leaves England-Marries count Hugh-Deprived of
her jointure-Detains the princess Joanna - Queen's dower restored-Her pride-
Embroils her husband in war-Attempts the life of St. Louis-Humiliation of
Isabella-Hated by the Poictevins-Called Jezebel-Retires to Fontevraud-Takes
the veil-Dies-Tomb-Effigy-Children of second marriage

ELEANOR OF PROVENCE,

SURNAMED LA BELLE;

QUEEN OF HENRY III.

CHAPTER I.—Eleanor of Provence-Parentage-Birth-Talents-Poem written by her
-Her beauty-Henry II. accepts Eleanor without dowry-Escorted to England-
Married at Canterbury-Crowned at Westminster-Costume and jewels-Henry's
attention to dress-Rapacity of the queen's relatives-Birth of Edward II.-Paint-
ings in her chambers-Attempt on the king's life-Eleanor rules the king-Birth
of her eldest daughter-Queen accompanies the king to Guienne-Birth of the
princess Beatrice-Return to England-Turbulence of Eleanor's uncle-Eleanor's
second son born-King and queen robbed on the highway-Eleanor's unpopularity
in London-Dower-Eleanor's mother -King pawns plate and jewels-Marriage of
princess Margaret-Projected crusade-Eleanor appointed queen-regent-King's de-
parture for Guienne-Makes his will-Bequeaths royal power to Eleanor-Princess
Katherine born-Her early death.

CHAPTER II-Eleanor's regency-Great seal of England left in her hands-Unlawful
exactions-Disputes with city of London-Assemblies of parliament-Her new-year's
gift to the king-Goes to Guienne-Her son's nuptials-Feast of kings-Lands in
England-Vengeance on the Londoners-Eleanor attends the king to the north-Her
sickness at Wark-castle-Court at Woodstock-Death of princess Katherine-Folly
of the king-Queen's unpopular conduct-Garrisons Windsor-Prince Edward robs
the Templars Queen pledges jewels-Pelted from London-bridge-Takes sanctuary
-Goes to France with the king-Civil war-King and prince taken at Lewes→→
Queen raises forces on the continent-Battle of Evesham-Londoners fined-Her
return to England-Prince Edward's crusade-Household expenses of the queen-
Death of Henry III.-Eleanor's widowhood-Refounds St. Katherine's hospital-
Death of Eleanor's daughters-Royal letters-Queen retires to Ambresbury-Miracle
by Henry III-Eleanor takes the veil-Visited by king Edward-Her wise advice
Her death-Petition of Jewish converts.

225

244

262

ELEANORA OF CASTILE,

SURNAMED THE FAITHFUL;

FIRST QUEEN OF EDWARD I.

Eleanora infanta of Castile-Descent-Inheritance-Marriage-treaty-Queen-mother and
prince Edward visit Spain-Eleanora's marriage at Burgos-Festival-Eleanora's
journey to England-Eleanora retires to France-Returns to England-Sons born
-Crusade-Eleanora prepares to share it-Arrives at Acre-Edward's wound-
Assassin-Grief of Eleanora-Prince Edward's illness-His will-Birth of Joanna of
Acre-Death of Eleanora's sons Of king Henry III.-Queen Eleanora visits Rome-
Birth of an heir at Maine-Providential escape of king and queen-Land at Dover-
Coronation-War-Marriage of Llewellyn-Eleanora assists at nuptials-War re-

PAGE

newed-Eleanora shares Edward's campaigns-Keeps court at Rhuddlan-Princess

born in Wales Caernarvon-castle-Queen's chamber-The Eagle tower-Birth of

Edward II.-Death of prince Alphonso-Queen at Guienne-Birth of younger

daughters Queen's plate-Edward departs for the north-Eleanora follows him—

Sudden death-King returns-His extreme grief-Follows her corpse-Solemn

mourning - Burial - Tomb-Epitaph - Crosses to Eleanora's memory-Traits of

the times-Eleanora's improvements Her creditors-Prayers for her soul-Her

children

287

MARGUERITE OF FRANCE,

SECOND QUEEN OF EDWARD I.

The family of Marguerite-Disconsolate widowerhood of Edward I.-Demands Mar-

guerite's sister, Blanche la Belle-Edward contracted to Marguerite-Espousals

Maids of honour-Edward leaves his bride for the Scotch war-Queen follows

Edward-Lives at Brotherton-Eldest son born there-Left at Cawood-Queen goes

to Scotland-Danger of journey owing to Wallace-Her court at Dunfermline-

High festival at Westminster-palace-Marguerite's gold circlet-Birth of the queen's

second son-Queen's kindness-Robert Bruce's crown-Queen saves a goldsmith's life

-Benevolence to the mayor of Winchester-Residence at Winchester-Death of

king Edward-Happy wedlock of Marguerite-Her good qualities-Her historio-

grapher John o' London-His sketch of Edward's character-Anecdotes of Edward

-Lamentations of the royal widow-Marguerite's visit to France-Friendship with

her son-in-law-Widowhood-Early death-Burial-Charities-Foundations-Debts

CHAPTER I.-Isabella's parentage-Both parents reigning sovereigns-Her portion-

Affianced to the prince of Wales - Her great beauty-Her marriage-Nuptial

festivities-Sails for England with Edward II.-Summons for ladies to wait on her

at Dover-Her wardrobe-Her coronation-Peeresses first summoned thereto -

Slights offered to Isabella-Queen's complaints-Revenues-Her popularity-Her

jealousy of Gaveston-Civil war-Queen's charity-Mediates peace with barons—

Birth of Edward III.-Presents to her servants-Queen goes to France with the

king-Return-Obtains amnesty-Conjugal happiness-Birth of her second son-

Queen's churching-robe-Birth of her eldest daughter-Gifts to queen's nurse and

servants-King's grants to Isabella-Her residence at Brotherton-Roger Mortimer

-Queen's pilgrimage to Canterbury-Insolence of lady Badlesmere-Indignation

of the queen-She excites the civil war-Birth of princess Joanna in the Tower

-Queen Isabella's first acquaintance with Mortimer-Her influence with the king

-Mortimer's plots-His escape-Queen's jealousy of the De Spencers-Deprived

of her revenues-Her French servants dismissed-Complaints to her brother-

Estrangement of the king-Isabella mediatrix with France

CHAPTER II.-Isabella's intrigues-Queen and prince recalled to England-Her dis-
obedience-King Edward's letters-Barons invite her to invade England-Familiari-
ties with Mortimer-Scandal at the French court-Isabella dismissed from France
-Her visit to Hainault-Her voyage to England-Lands-Enthusiasm of the
people-Proclamation-Her triumphal progress-Capture of the king-Londoners
welcome the queen-Deposition of Edward II.-Queen's hypocrisy Seizes the
government-Exorbitant dower-Her ball prevented by a popular tumult-Murder

326

Contents

of the king-Isabella's peace with Scotland-League against the queen-Her vin-
dictive disposition-Follies of Mortimer-Parliament at Nottingham-Isabella's
precautions-Mortimer taken prisoner-Her passionate intercession-His execution
-Her imprisonment-Manner of spending her time there-Reports of her madness
-Visits of her son-References to her in the parliamentary rolls-Her household at
Castle-Rising-Visited by Edward III. and Philippa-Death of Isabella-Entrance
of her funeral into London-Buried by Mortimer's side

PHILIPPA OF HAINAULT,

QUEEN OF EDWARD III.

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• 345

CHAPTER I.-Previous attachment of Edward III. and Philippa-His sojourn at her
father's court-Her blooming beauty-Demanded in marriage-Philippa arrives in
London-Reception-Philippa travels to York-Married there-Her dower-Corona-
tion-Claim on her shoes, bed, and silver basins-Birth of her eldest son-Queen
nourishes him-Her portraits-Tournament-Dangerous accident-King's fury-
Queen's intercession-Philippa's woollen manufacturers-Scotch war-Queen be-
sieged in Bamborough-castle-Birth of the princess-royal-Of the princess Joanna-Of
William of Hatfield-Death of this prince-Death of the queen's father-Poverty of
the king-Pawns queen's crown-Philippa's residence in Flanders-Birth of prince
Lionel Queen's visit to Norwich-King's naval victory-Queen's fourth son-King
Edward's challenge-Pacification by the queen's mother-Extreme poverty of Ed-
ward and Philippa-Their secret departure from Ghent-Embark with their infant-
Land at the Tower-King's anger-Countess of Salisbury-Order of the Garter-
Philippa assists at the first chapter-Residence at Woodstock
CHAPTER II.-Queen Philippa left regent of England-Battle of Cressy-Queen's
uncles-Siege of Calais-Scotch invasion-Queen defends England-Queen's exhorta-
tion to the army-Her victory of Neville's-Cross-King David captured-Queen
returns to London-Sails with many ladies to Calais-Burghers of Calais doomed
to death by Edward-Philippa's intercession-Birth of princess Margaret-Edward
and Philippa return to England-Betrothment of the queen's second daughter-
Death of the princess-King Edward's letters-Queen's younger children-Philippa's
tournament at Norwich-Queen's objections to the marriage of the Black Prince-
Queen receives royal prisoners-Dialogue with Du Guesclin-Queen goes to France→→→→
Marriage of the Black Prince-Queen's reception of King John at Eltham-Alliances
of royal family-Philippa's fatal illness-Death-bed-Tomb-Epitaph-Benefactions
-Queen's college, Oxford-Pensions to her women-Alice Perrers-Queen's supposed
confession-Virtues of queen Philippa

ANNE OF BOHEMIA,

SURNAMED THE GOOD;

FIRST QUEEN OF RICHARD II.

377

. 391

Descent of Anne of Bohemia-Letter of the empress Elizabeth-Anne of Bohemia be-
trothed-Sets out for England-Detained at Brabant-Dangers by land and sea-
Lands in England-Her progress to London-Pageants at reception-Marriage and
coronation-Queen's fashions and improvements-Queen favourable to the Reforma-
tion-King's campaign in the north-Queen's knight murdered-King's brother con-
demned-Death of the princess of Wales-The queen's favourite maid of honour-
Persecutions of the queen's servants-Queen pleads for their lives-Grand tourna-
ment-Queen presides Queen intercedes for the city of London-Her visit to the
city-Gifts to her-Her entrance at Westminster-hall-Her prayer to the king-
Richard grants her request Queen's sudden death-King's frantic grief-His sum-
mons to the burial-Monument-Inscription-Goodness of the queen