04/28/2026
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💐 On this day - 28th April 1180 💐
💐 Philip II of France weds Isabella of Hainault 💐
💐 On 28th April 1180, a royal marriage took place that would shape the future of France.
The young king Philip II married Isabella of Hainault, beginning a union that combined powerful noble families and strengthened the French crown.....
💐 Philip II of France was born on 21st August 1165, the only son of Louis VII of France and Adela of Champagne.
He became king in 1180, aged just fifteen, yet his reign would last an impressive forty-three years.
During his rule, an important change took place.
Earlier rulers had been known as Kings of the Franks, but from around 1190, Philip began using the title King of France.
It was a small shift in wording - but a significant step in the development of the French monarchy.
💐 Philip's bride Isabella of Hainault, was born on the 5th April 1170, in Valenciennes.
She was the daughter of Baldwin V, Count of Hainaut and Margaret I, Countess of Flanders, making her an important political match for the young king.
Fifteen year old Philip married ten year old Isabella on 28th April 1180.
💐 Philip and Isabella were married when they were both very young.
This was common practice in royal families at the time, where marriages were arranged to secure alliances and stability.
Just one month later, on 29th May 1180, the couple were crowned together in Paris.
💐 Philip was a handsome, strapping teenager - he had a cheerful face, with a ruddy complexion.
He was much inclined towards good-living, wine, and women.
Oh yes, definitely women 😜
He was generous to his friends, and stingy towards those who displeased him....
💐 The first four years of Philip and Isabella’s marriage was not easy.
Powerful nobles, and even Philip’s own mother, were unhappy with the match.
By 1184, the young king considered ending the marriage - largely because the couple had not yet produced an heir.
Poor Isabella was still only fourteen at this time - so it's unclear whether the marriage had even been consummated!
💐 Isabella, already wise beyond her years, was not going let a divorce happen.
She had an idea that would make her popular among her people...
Barefoot and dressed only in her shift, Isabella took to the streets, distributing alms to the poor and lepers.
Walking from church to church, she wept and prayed at the altars.
As she predicted, this action made Isabella very popular - and Philip was forced to put his divorce plans aside.
💐 After several difficult pregnancies and personal losses, Isabella finally gave birth to a healthy son on 3rd September 1187.
The child, Louis VIII of France, was welcomed with great celebration across the kingdom.
Soon after his birth, a solar eclipse occurred - an event many people at the time interpreted as a meaningful sign.
💐 With the birth of an heir, Isabella’s place as queen became secure, and her popularity continued to grow.
Isabella was finally valued by her husband, and the people loved her.
Tragically, just as things seemed to be going well for Philip and Isabella, her life was cut short....
💐 On 14th March 1190, Isabella gave birth to twin boys, Robert and Philip.
Robert died within a few hours, and Isabella passed away the following day, on 15th March 1190.
Little Philip died two days after his mother.
Isabella, not yet twenty, was buried with her twin sons in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris.
💐 Isabella had been a popular queen, and she was mourned greatly by the people - including her husband.
Despite trying to divorce her, Philip came to love Isabella very much.
He never forgot her, and continually gave donations to Notre Dame, in her memory.
💐 On 14th August 1193, Philip married again.
The bride was Ingeborg, daughter of King Valdemar I of Denmark.
During their wedding ceremony, Philip was pale, nervous, and could not wait for the ceremony to end.
This, and Philip's subsequent marriages, are thrilling tales indeed - and worthy of their own posts...
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💐 Source - historyofroyalwomen/isabella-of-hainaut-the-young-queen-who-fought-back
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