Izabbela Bavarskaya French queen Country: France

1. Biography of Isabella of Bavaria
2. Early Years and Marriage
3. Children
4. Characteristics and Controversies
5. Later Years and Accusations
6. Political Manipulation and Imprisonment
7. The Treaty of Troyes and Decline

Biography of Isabella of Bavaria

Isabella of Bavaria (Elizabeth, Isabo) was the Queen of France and the wife of Charles VI the Mad. She was the only daughter of Bavarian Duke Stephen of Ingolstadt and Taddea Visconti. Isabella became the Queen of France on July 18, 1385, thanks to a planned meeting with the young King Charles VI.

Early Years and Marriage

In the early years of their marriage, Isabella showed little interest in politics and focused on courtly entertainments. In August 1389, she was crowned in Paris, and the occasion was celebrated with magnificent festivities. However, after Charles' first bout of madness in August 1392, Isabella was forced to support the political agenda of the Duke of Burgundy, who arranged their marriage.

Children

Isabella had twelve children, six of whom were born after 1392. Her children included Isabella, who became the Queen of England as the wife of Richard II, Jeanne, the Duchess of Brittany as the wife of Jean de Montfort, Michelle, the Duchess of Burgundy as the wife of Philip the Good, Catherine, the Queen of England as the wife of Henry V, and Charles VII. Several of her children died at a young age.

Characteristics and Controversies

Isabella was of mediocre appearance and intellect. She never fully mastered the French language and displayed a lack of political acumen. She was known for her love of animals, as she maintained a large menagerie in Senlis, and her passion for food, which soon reflected in her disproportionate figure. Her extravagant lifestyle cost the treasury 150,000 gold francs annually, and she often sent gold and jewels back to Bavaria without hesitation.

Later Years and Accusations

After the death of Philip the Bold in 1404, Isabella supported her brother-in-law Louis of Orleans. Later, she was accused of infidelity with the Duke of Orleans, but this accusation is not mentioned in contemporary sources. It is believed that this story was fabricated by the English to exclude Charles, the Dauphin, from the line of succession.

Political Manipulation and Imprisonment

Isabella successfully navigated the political crisis of 1409 by appointing her supporters to key positions in the state. However, in 1417, she was imprisoned in Tours by Constable Bernard d'Armagnac after being accused of treason in collaboration with Louis de Bois-Bourdon, a nobleman who was tortured and drowned in the Seine. Isabella was later released with the help of the Duke of Burgundy.

The Treaty of Troyes and Decline

In May 1420, Isabella orchestrated the signing of the Treaty of Troyes, which deprived her surviving son, Charles, of his right to inherit the French throne. Instead, her son-in-law, Henry V of England, was recognized as the regent and heir to France. However, after the deaths of Henry and Charles VI, Isabella lost all political influence. In her final years, she was physically helpless and obese, requiring assistance to move around. She died on September 20, 1435, in her residence at Barbet and was buried without honors in Saint-Denis. Due to her limited resources, Isabella was forced to sell her belongings.