Marguerite de Provence, reine consort de France

Marguerite of Provence

Marguerite of Provence (Forcalquier, c. 1221 – December 21, 1295, Paris) was the eldest daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy.

Her maternal grandparents were Thomas I of Savoy and Marguerite of Geneva, daughter of William I of Geneva.

Her younger sisters were:

Eleanor of Provence became the Queen consort of Henry III of England.

Sanchia of Provence who became the Queen consort of Richard, Earl of Cornwall and rival King of the Germans.

Beatrice of Provence who was the Queen consort of Charles I of Sicily

Marguerite herself became the Queen consort of Louis IX of France and mother to eleven children:

Blanche (1240–April 29, 1243)

Isabelle (March 2, 1241–January 28, 1271), married Theobald II of Navarre

Louis (February 25, 1244–January 1260)

Philippe III (May 1, 1245–October 5, 1285)

Jean (born and died in 1248)

Jean Tristan (1250–August 3, 1270)

Pierre (1251–1284)

Blanche (1253–1323), married Ferdinand de la Cerda, Infante of Castile

Marguerite (1254–1271), married John I, Duke of Brabant

Robert, Count of Clermont (1256–February 7, 1317). He was the ancestor of King Henry IV of France.

Agnes of France (c. 1260–December 19, 1327), married Robert II, Duke of Burgundy

Marguerite, like her sisters, was noted for her beauty, she was said to be "pretty with dark hair and fine eyes", and in the early years of their marriage she and Louis enjoyed a warm relationship. Her Franciscan confessor, William de St. Pathus, related that on cold nights Marguerite would place a robe around Louis' shoulders, when her deeply religious husband rose to pray. Another anecdote recorded by St. Pathus related that Marguerite felt that Louis' plain clothing was unbecoming to his royal dignity, to which Louis replied that he would dress as she wished, if she dressed as he wished. However, the chronicler Joinville noted with disapproval that Louis rarely asked after his wife and children, and in later years Louis became vexed with Marguerite's ambition.

She accompanied Louis on his first crusade and was responsible for negotiations and ransom when he was captured. She was thus for a brief time the only woman ever to lead a crusade.

After the death of Louis on his second crusade, during which she remained in France, she returned to Provence.

She was devoted to her sister Queen Eleanor of England, and they stayed in contact until Eleanor's death.

Nascimento: ou c. 1221.

Marguerite of Provence (St. Maime, c. 1221 – December 21, 1295, Paris) was the eldest daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy.

Her maternal grandparents were Thomas I of Savoy and Marguerite of Geneva, daughter of William I of Geneva.

Her younger sisters were:

Eleanor of Provence became the Queen consort of Henry III of England.

Sanchia of Provence who became the Queen consort of Richard, Earl of Cornwall and rival King of the Germans.

Beatrice of Provence who was the Queen consort of Charles I of Sicily

Marguerite herself became the Queen consort of Louis IX of France and mother to eleven children:

Blanche (1240–April 29, 1243)

Isabelle (March 2, 1241–January 28, 1271), married Theobald II of Navarre

Louis (February 25, 1244–January 1260)

Philippe III (May 1, 1245–October 5, 1285)

Jean (born and died in 1248)

Jean Tristan (1250–August 3, 1270)

Pierre (1251–1284)

Blanche (1253–1323), married Ferdinand de la Cerda, Infante of Castile

Marguerite (1254–1271), married John I, Duke of Brabant

Robert, Count of Clermont (1256–February 7, 1317). He was the ancestor of King Henry IV of France.

Agnes of France (c. 1260–December 19, 1327), married Robert II, Duke of Burgundy

Marguerite, like her sisters, was noted for her beauty and in the early years of their marriage she and Louis enjoyed a warm relationship. Her Franciscan confessor, William de St. Pathus, related that on cold nights Marguerite would place a robe around Louis' shoulders, when her deeply religious husband rose to pray. Another anecdote recorded by St. Pathus related that Marguerite felt that Louis' plain clothing was unbecoming to his royal dignity, to which Louis replied that he would dress as she wished, if she dressed as he wished. However, the chronicler Joinville noted with disapproval that Louis rarely asked after his wife and children, and in later years Louis became vexed with Marguerite's ambition.

She was devoted to her sister Queen Eleanor of England, and they stayed in contact until Eleanor's death

Marguerite of Provence (St. Main, c. 1221 – December 21, 1295, Paris) was the eldest daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy.

Her maternal grandparents were Thomas I of Savoy and Marguerite of Geneva, daughter of William I of Geneva.

Her younger sisters were:

Eleanor of Provence became the Queen consort of Henry III of England.

Sanchia of Provence who became the Queen consort of Richard, Earl of Cornwall and rival King of the Germans.

Beatrice of Provence who was the Queen consort of Charles I of Sicily

Marguerite herself became the Queen consort of Louis IX of France and mother to eleven children:

  1. Blanche (1240–April 29, 1243)

2. Isabelle (March 2, 1241–January 28, 1271), married Theobald II of Navarre
3. Louis (February 25, 1244–January 1260)
4. Philippe III (May 1, 1245–October 5, 1285)
5. Jean (born and died in 1248)
6. Jean Tristan (1250–August 3, 1270)
7. Pierre (1251–1284)
8. Blanche (1253–1323), married Ferdinand de la Cerda, Infante of Castile
9. Marguerite (1254–1271), married John I, Duke of Brabant
10. Robert, Count of Clermont (1256–February 7, 1317). He was the ancestor of King Henry IV of France.
11. Agnes of France (c. 1260–December 19, 1327), married Robert II, Duke of Burgundy
Marguerite, like her sisters, was noted for her beauty and in the early years of their marriage she and Louis enjoyed a warm relationship. Her Franciscan confessor, William de St. Pathus, related that on cold nights Marguerite would place a robe around Louis' shoulders, when her deeply religious husband rose to pray. Another anecdote recorded by St. Pathus related that Marguerite felt that Louis' plain clothing was unbecoming to his royal dignity, to which Louis replied that he would dress as she wished, if she dressed as he wished. However, the chronicler Joinville noted with disapproval that Louis rarely asked after his wife and children, and in later years Louis became vexed with Marguerite's ambition.

She was devoted to her sister Queen Eleanor of England, and they stayed in contact until Eleanor's death.

Marguerite of Provence

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 (Redirected from Marguerite Berenger of Provence)

Marguerite of Provence (Forcalquier, c. 1221 – December 21, 1295, Paris) was the eldest daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy.

Her maternal grandparents were Thomas I of Savoy and Marguerite of Geneva, daughter of William I of Geneva.

Her younger sisters were:

Eleanor of Provence became the Queen consort of Henry III of England.

Sanchia of Provence who became the Queen consort of Richard, Earl of Cornwall and rival King of the Germans.

Beatrice of Provence who was the Queen consort of Charles I of Sicily

Marguerite herself became the Queen consort of Louis IX of France and mother to eleven children:

Blanche (1240–April 29, 1243)

Isabelle (March 2, 1241–January 28, 1271), married Theobald II of Navarre

Louis (February 25, 1244–January 1260)

Philippe III (May 1, 1245–October 5, 1285)

Jean (born and died in 1248)

Jean Tristan (1250–August 3, 1270)

Pierre (1251–1284)

Blanche (1253–1323), married Ferdinand de la Cerda, Infante of Castile

Marguerite (1254–1271), married John I, Duke of Brabant

Robert, Count of Clermont (1256–February 7, 1317). He was the ancestor of King Henry IV of France.

Agnes of France (c. 1260–December 19, 1327), married Robert II, Duke of Burgundy

Marguerite, like her sisters, was noted for her beauty and in the early years of their marriage she and Louis enjoyed a warm relationship. Her Franciscan confessor, William de St. Pathus, related that on cold nights Marguerite would place a robe around Louis' shoulders, when her deeply religious husband rose to pray. Another anecdote recorded by St. Pathus related that Marguerite felt that Louis' plain clothing was unbecoming to his royal dignity, to which Louis replied that he would dress as she wished, if she dressed as he wished. However, the chronicler Joinville noted with disapproval that Louis rarely asked after his wife and children, and in later years Louis became vexed with Marguerite's ambition.

She accompanied Louis on his first crusade and was responsible for negotiations and ransom when he was captured. She was thus for a brief time the only woman ever to lead a crusade.

After the death of Louis on his second crusade, during which she remained in France, she returned to Provence.

She was devoted to her sister Queen Eleanor of England, and they stayed in contact until Eleanor's death.

Marguerite of Provence (Forcalquier, c. 1221 – December 21, 1295, Paris) was the eldest daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy.

Her maternal grandparents were Thomas I of Savoy and Marguerite of Geneva, daughter of William I of Geneva.

Her younger sisters were:

Eleanor of Provence became the Queen consort of Henry III of England.

Sanchia of Provence who became the Queen consort of Richard, Earl of Cornwall and rival King of the Germans.

Beatrice of Provence who was the Queen consort of Charles I of Sicily

Marguerite herself became the Queen consort of Louis IX of France and mother to eleven children:

Blanche (1240–April 29, 1243)

Isabelle (March 2, 1241–January 28, 1271), married Theobald II of Navarre

Louis (February 25, 1244–January 1260)

Philippe III (May 1, 1245–October 5, 1285)

Jean (born and died in 1248)

Jean Tristan (1250–August 3, 1270)

Pierre (1251–1284)

Blanche (1253–1323), married Ferdinand de la Cerda, Infante of Castile

Marguerite (1254–1271), married John I, Duke of Brabant

Robert, Count of Clermont (1256–February 7, 1317). He was the ancestor of King Henry IV of France.

Agnes of France (c. 1260–December 19, 1327), married Robert II, Duke of Burgundy

Margaret of Provence (Forcalquier , Spring 1221 – 21 December 1295, Paris ) was the eldest daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy .

Family

Her paternal grandparents were Alfonso II, Count of Provence and Gersende II de Sabran, Countess of Forcalquier . Her maternal grandparents were Thomas I of Savoy and Marguerite of Geneva , daughter of William I of Geneva and Beatrice de Faucigny.

Her younger sisters were:

Eleanor of Provence became the Queen consort of Henry III of England .

Sanchia of Provence who became the Queen consort of Richard, Earl of Cornwall and rival King of the Germans .

Beatrice of Provence who was the Queen consort of Charles I of Sicily

Marriage

On 27 May 1234 at the age of thirteen, Margaret became the Queen consort of France and wife of Louis IX of France , by whom she had eleven children. She was crowned on the following day.

Margaret, like her sisters, was noted for her beauty, she was said to be "pretty with dark hair and fine eyes", and in the early years of their marriage she and Louis enjoyed a warm relationship. Her Franciscan confessor, William de St. Pathus, related that on cold nights Margaret would place a robe around Louis' shoulders, when her deeply religious husband rose to pray. Another anecdote recorded by St. Pathus related that Margaret felt that Louis' plain clothing was unbecoming to his royal dignity, to which Louis replied that he would dress as she wished, if she dressed as he wished. However, the chronicler Joinville noted with disapproval that Louis rarely asked after his wife and children, and in later years Louis became vexed with Margaret's ambition.

She accompanied Louis on his first crusade and was responsible for negotiations and ransom when he was captured. She was thus for a brief time the only woman ever to lead a crusade. During this period, while in Damietta </wiki/Damietta>, she gave birth to Jean Tristran.

After the death of Louis on his second crusade, during which she remained in France, she returned to Provence.

She was devoted to her sister Queen Eleanor of England, and they stayed in contact until Eleanor's death in 1291. Margaret herself died four and a half years after her sister, on 21 December 1295. She was seventy-four years old.

Margaret of Provence (Forcalquier , Spring 1221 – 21 December 1295, Paris ) was the eldest daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy .

Family

Her paternal grandparents were Alfonso II, Count of Provence and Gersende II de Sabran, Countess of Forcalquier . Her maternal grandparents were Thomas I of Savoy and Marguerite of Geneva , daughter of William I of Geneva and Beatrice de Faucigny.

Her younger sisters were:

Eleanor of Provence became the Queen consort of Henry III of England .

Sanchia of Provence who became the Queen consort of Richard, Earl of Cornwall and rival King of the Germans .

Beatrice of Provence who was the Queen consort of Charles I of Sicily

Marriage

On 27 May 1234 at the age of thirteen, Margaret became the Queen consort of France and wife of Louis IX of France , by whom she had eleven children. She was crowned on the following day.

Margaret, like her sisters, was noted for her beauty, she was said to be "pretty with dark hair and fine eyes", and in the early years of their marriage she and Louis enjoyed a warm relationship. Her Franciscan confessor, William de St. Pathus, related that on cold nights Margaret would place a robe around Louis' shoulders, when her deeply religious husband rose to pray. Another anecdote recorded by St. Pathus related that Margaret felt that Louis' plain clothing was unbecoming to his royal dignity, to which Louis replied that he would dress as she wished, if she dressed as he wished. However, the chronicler Joinville noted with disapproval that Louis rarely asked after his wife and children, and in later years Louis became vexed with Margaret's ambition.

She accompanied Louis on his first crusade and was responsible for negotiations and ransom when he was captured. She was thus for a brief time the only woman ever to lead a crusade. During this period, while in Damietta </wiki/Damietta>, she gave birth to Jean Tristran.

After the death of Louis on his second crusade, during which she remained in France, she returned to Provence.

She was devoted to her sister Queen Eleanor of England, and they stayed in contact until Eleanor's death in 1291. Margaret herself died four and a half years after her sister, on 21 December 1295. She was seventy-four years old.

Margaret of Provence (Forcalquier , Spring 1221 – 21 December 1295, Paris ) was the eldest daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy .

Family

Her paternal grandparents were Alfonso II, Count of Provence and Gersende II de Sabran, Countess of Forcalquier . Her maternal grandparents were Thomas I of Savoy and Marguerite of Geneva , daughter of William I of Geneva and Beatrice de Faucigny.

Her younger sisters were:

Eleanor of Provence became the Queen consort of Henry III of England .

Sanchia of Provence who became the Queen consort of Richard, Earl of Cornwall and rival King of the Germans .

Beatrice of Provence who was the Queen consort of Charles I of Sicily

Marriage

On 27 May 1234 at the age of thirteen, Margaret became the Queen consort of France and wife of Louis IX of France , by whom she had eleven children. She was crowned on the following day.

Margaret, like her sisters, was noted for her beauty, she was said to be "pretty with dark hair and fine eyes", and in the early years of their marriage she and Louis enjoyed a warm relationship. Her Franciscan confessor, William de St. Pathus, related that on cold nights Margaret would place a robe around Louis' shoulders, when her deeply religious husband rose to pray. Another anecdote recorded by St. Pathus related that Margaret felt that Louis' plain clothing was unbecoming to his royal dignity, to which Louis replied that he would dress as she wished, if she dressed as he wished. However, the chronicler Joinville noted with disapproval that Louis rarely asked after his wife and children, and in later years Louis became vexed with Margaret's ambition.

She accompanied Louis on his first crusade and was responsible for negotiations and ransom when he was captured. She was thus for a brief time the only woman ever to lead a crusade. During this period, while in Damietta </wiki/Damietta>, she gave birth to Jean Tristran.

After the death of Louis on his second crusade, during which she remained in France, she returned to Provence.

She was devoted to her sister Queen Eleanor of England, and they stayed in contact until Eleanor's death in 1291. Margaret herself died four and a half years after her sister, on 21 December 1295. She was seventy-four years old. Wikipedia

Marguerite of Provence (Forcalquier, Spring 1221[1] – 21 December 1295, Paris) was the eldest daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy.

Contents [hide]

1 Family

2 Marriage

3 Children

4 References

5 Sources

[edit] Family

Her paternal grandparents were Alfonso II, Count of Provence and Gersende II de Sabran, Countess of Forcalquier. Her maternal grandparents were Thomas I of Savoy and Marguerite of Geneva, daughter of William I of Geneva and Beatrice de Faucigny.

Her younger sisters were:

Eleanor of Provence became the Queen consort of Henry III of England.

Sanchia of Provence who became the Queen consort of Richard, Earl of Cornwall and rival King of the Germans.

Beatrice of Provence who was the Queen consort of Charles I of Sicily

[edit] Marriage

On 27 May 1234 at the age of thirteen, Marguerite became the Queen consort of Louis IX of France, by whom she had eleven children. She was crowned on the following day.

Marguerite, like her sisters, was noted for her beauty, she was said to be "pretty with dark hair and fine eyes",[2] and in the early years of their marriage she and Louis enjoyed a warm relationship. Her Franciscan confessor, William de St. Pathus, related that on cold nights Marguerite would place a robe around Louis' shoulders, when her deeply religious husband rose to pray. Another anecdote recorded by St. Pathus related that Marguerite felt that Louis' plain clothing was unbecoming to his royal dignity, to which Louis replied that he would dress as she wished, if she dressed as he wished. However, the chronicler Joinville noted with disapproval that Louis rarely asked after his wife and children, and in later years Louis became vexed with Marguerite's ambition.

She accompanied Louis on his first crusade and was responsible for negotiations and ransom when he was captured. She was thus for a brief time the only woman ever to lead a crusade. During this period, while in Damietta, she gave birth to Jean Tristran.[3]

After the death of Louis on his second crusade, during which she remained in France, she returned to Provence.

She was devoted to her sister Queen Eleanor of England, and they stayed in contact until Eleanor's death in 1291. Marguerite herself died four and a half years after her sister, on 21 December 1295. She was seventy-four years old.

[edit] Children

With Louis IX of France:

Blanche (1240–29 April 1243)

Isabelle (2 March 1241–28 January 1271), married Theobald II of Navarre

Louis (25 February 1244–January 1260)

Philip III of France (1 May 1245–5 October 1285), married firstly Isabella of Aragon, by whom he had issue, including Philip IV of France and Charles, Count of Valois; he married secondly Marie of Brabant, by whom he had issue, including Marguerite of France.

Jean (born and died in 1248)

Jean Tristan (1250–3 August 1270)

Pierre (1251–1284)

Blanche (1253–1323), married Ferdinand de la Cerda, Infante of Castile

Marguerite (1254–1271), married John I, Duke of Brabant

Robert, Count of Clermont (1256–7 February 1317), married Beatrice of Burgundy, by whom he had issue. He was the ancestor of King Henry IV of France.

Agnes of France (c. 1260–19 December 1327), married Robert II, Duke of Burgundy

[edit] References

^ Charles Cawley, Medieval Lands, Provence

^ Thomas B. Costain, The Magnificent Century, pp.125-26

^ Joinville and Villehardouin: Chronicles of the Crusades, translated by M.R.B. Shaw, pages 262-263; Penguin Classics: New York, 1963.

[edit] Sources

Murray, Jacqueline, Conflicted Identities and Multiple Masculinities, 1999

Costain, Thomas B., The Plantagenets, The Magnificent Century, 1951

Margaret of Provence

Capetian Dynasty

Born: Spring 1221 Died: 21 December 1295

French royalty

Preceded by

Blanche of Castile Queen consort of France

1234–1270 Succeeded by

Isabella of Aragon

Marguerite of Provence (Forcalquier, Spring 1221[1] – 21 December 1295, Paris) was the eldest daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy.

Contents [hide]

1 Family

2 Marriage

3 Children

4 References

5 Sources

[edit] Family

Her paternal grandparents were Alfonso II, Count of Provence and Gersende II de Sabran, Countess of Forcalquier. Her maternal grandparents were Thomas I of Savoy and Marguerite of Geneva, daughter of William I of Geneva and Beatrice de Faucigny.

Her younger sisters were:

Eleanor of Provence became the Queen consort of Henry III of England.

Sanchia of Provence who became the Queen consort of Richard, Earl of Cornwall and rival King of the Germans.

Beatrice of Provence who was the Queen consort of Charles I of Sicily

[edit] Marriage

On 27 May 1234 at the age of thirteen, Marguerite became the Queen consort of Louis IX of France, by whom she had eleven children. She was crowned on the following day.

Marguerite, like her sisters, was noted for her beauty, she was said to be "pretty with dark hair and fine eyes",[2] and in the early years of their marriage she and Louis enjoyed a warm relationship. Her Franciscan confessor, William de St. Pathus, related that on cold nights Marguerite would place a robe around Louis' shoulders, when her deeply religious husband rose to pray. Another anecdote recorded by St. Pathus related that Marguerite felt that Louis' plain clothing was unbecoming to his royal dignity, to which Louis replied that he would dress as she wished, if she dressed as he wished. However, the chronicler Joinville noted with disapproval that Louis rarely asked after his wife and children, and in later years Louis became vexed with Marguerite's ambition.

She accompanied Louis on his first crusade and was responsible for negotiations and ransom when he was captured. She was thus for a brief time the only woman ever to lead a crusade. During this period, while in Damietta, she gave birth to Jean Tristran.[3]

After the death of Louis on his second crusade, during which she remained in France, she returned to Provence.

She was devoted to her sister Queen Eleanor of England, and they stayed in contact until Eleanor's death in 1291. Marguerite herself died four and a half years after her sister, on 21 December 1295. She was seventy-four years old.

[edit] Children

With Louis IX of France:

Blanche (1240–29 April 1243)

Isabelle (2 March 1241–28 January 1271), married Theobald II of Navarre

Louis (25 February 1244–January 1260)

Philip III of France (1 May 1245–5 October 1285), married firstly Isabella of Aragon, by whom he had issue, including Philip IV of France and Charles, Count of Valois; he married secondly Marie of Brabant, by whom he had issue, including Marguerite of France.

Jean (born and died in 1248)

Jean Tristan (1250–3 August 1270)

Pierre (1251–1284)

Blanche (1253–1323), married Ferdinand de la Cerda, Infante of Castile

Marguerite (1254–1271), married John I, Duke of Brabant

Robert, Count of Clermont (1256–7 February 1317), married Beatrice of Burgundy, by whom he had issue. He was the ancestor of King Henry IV of France.

Agnes of France (c. 1260–19 December 1327), married Robert II, Duke of Burgundy

[edit] References

^ Charles Cawley, Medieval Lands, Provence

^ Thomas B. Costain, The Magnificent Century, pp.125-26

^ Joinville and Villehardouin: Chronicles of the Crusades, translated by M.R.B. Shaw, pages 262-263; Penguin Classics: New York, 1963.

[edit] Sources

Murray, Jacqueline, Conflicted Identities and Multiple Masculinities, 1999

Costain, Thomas B., The Plantagenets, The Magnificent Century, 1951

Margaret of Provence

Capetian Dynasty

Born: Spring 1221 Died: 21 December 1295

French royalty

Preceded by

Blanche of Castile Queen consort of France

1234–1270 Succeeded by

Isabella of Aragon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_of_Provence

Margaret of Provence

Capetian Dynasty

Born: Spring 1221 Died: 21 December 1295

French royalty

Preceded by

Blanche of Castile Queen consort of France

1234–1270 Succeeded by

Isabella of Aragon

This page was last modified on 11 June 2010 at 18:00.

Marguerite of Provence (Forcalquier, c. 1221 – December 21, 1295, Paris) was the eldest daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy.

Her maternal grandparents were Thomas I of Savoy and Marguerite of Geneva, daughter of William I of Geneva.

Her younger sisters were:

Eleanor of Provence became the Queen consort of Henry III of England.

Sanchia of Provence who became the Queen consort of Richard, Earl of Cornwall and rival King of the Germans.

Beatrice of Provence who was the Queen consort of Charles I of Sicily

Marguerite herself became the Queen consort of Louis IX of France and mother to eleven children:

Blanche (1240–April 29, 1243)

Isabelle (March 2, 1241–January 28, 1271), married Theobald II of Navarre

Louis (February 25, 1244–January 1260)

Philippe III (May 1, 1245–October 5, 1285)

Jean (born and died in 1248)

Jean Tristan (1250–August 3, 1270)

Pierre (1251–1284)

Blanche (1253–1323), married Ferdinand de la Cerda, Infante of Castile

Marguerite (1254–1271), married John I, Duke of Brabant

Robert, Count of Clermont (1256–February 7, 1317). He was the ancestor of King Henry IV of France.

Agnes of France (c. 1260–December 19, 1327), married Robert II, Duke of Burgundy

She was the eldest daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy.

Family

Her paternal grandparents were Alfonso II, Count of Provence, and Gersende II de Sabran, Countess of Forcalquier. Her maternal grandparents were Thomas I of Savoy and Margaret of Geneva.

Her younger sisters were:

   * Eleanor of Provence, who became queen consort of England,

   * Sanchia of Provence, who became queen consort of Germany, and

   * Beatrice of Provence, who was queen consort of Sicily.

Marriage

On 27 May 1234 at the age of thirteen, Margaret became the queen consort of France and wife of Louis IX of France, by whom she had eleven children. She was crowned on the following day.

Margaret, like her sisters, was noted for her beauty, she was said to be "pretty with dark hair and fine eyes",[2] and in the early years of their marriage she and Louis enjoyed a warm relationship. Her Franciscan confessor, William de St. Pathus, related that on cold nights Margaret would place a robe around Louis' shoulders, when her deeply religious husband rose to pray. Another anecdote recorded by St. Pathus related that Margaret felt that Louis' plain clothing was unbecoming to his royal dignity, to which Louis replied that he would dress as she wished, if she dressed as he wished. Much of what is said about Margaret in such sources seems to be meant to display her in a questionable light, as vainglorious or immodest, in order to showcase her husband as a wise and pious king. In contrast, the chronicler Joinville, who was not a priest, reports incidents demonstrating Margaret's bravery after Louis was made prisoner in Egypt: she decisively acted to assure a food supply for the Christians in Damietta, and went so far as to ask the knight who guarded her bedchamber to kill her and her newborn son if the city should fall to the Arabs. Joinville also recounts incidents that demonstrate Margaret's good humor, as on one occasion when Joinville sent her some fine cloth and, when the queen saw his messenger arrive carrying them, she mistakenly knelt down thinking that he was bringing her holy relics. When she realized her mistake, she burst into laughter and ordered the messenger, "Tell your master evil days await him, for he has made me kneel to his camelines!"

However, Joinville also remarked with noticeable disapproval that Louis rarely asked after his wife and children. In a moment of extreme danger during a terrible storm on the sea voyage back to France from the Crusade, Margaret begged Joinville to do something to help; he told her to pray for deliverance, and to vow that when they reached France she would go on a pilgrimage and offer a golden ship with images of the king, herself and her children in thanks for their escape from the storm. Margaret could only reply that she dared not make such a vow without the king's permission, because when he discovered that she had done so, he would never let her make the pilgrimage. In the end, Joinville promised her that if she made the vow he would make the pilgrimage for her, and when they reached France he did so.

In later years Louis became vexed with Margaret's ambition. It seems that when it came to politics or diplomacy she was indeed ambitious, but somewhat inept. An English envoy at Paris in the 1250s reported to England, evidently in some disgust, that "the queen of France is tedious in word and deed," and it is clear from the envoy's report of his conversation with the queen that she was trying to create an opportunity for herself to engage in affairs of state even though the envoy was not impressed with her efforts. After the death of her eldest son Louis in 1260, Margaret induced the next son, Philip, to swear an oath that no matter at what age he succeeded to the throne, he would remain under her tutelage until the age of thirty. When Louis found out about the oath, he immediately asked the pope to excuse Philip from the vow on the grounds that he himself had not authorized it, and the pope immediately obliged, ending Margaret's attempt to make herself a second Blanche of Castile. Margaret subsequently failed as well to influence her nephew Edward I of England to avoid a marriage project for one of his daughters that would promote the interests in her native Provence of her brother-in-law, Charles of Anjou, who had married her youngest sister Beatrice.

Margaret accompanied Louis on his first crusade and was responsible for negotiations and ransom when he was captured. She was thus for a brief time the only woman ever to lead a crusade. During this period, while in Damietta, she gave birth to her son Jean Tristan.[3]

After the death of Louis on his second crusade, during which she remained in France, she returned to Provence. She was devoted to her sister Queen Eleanor of England, and they stayed in contact until Eleanor's death in 1291. Margaret herself died four and a half years after her sister, on 21 December 1295, at the age of seventy-four. She was buried near (but not beside) her husband in the Basilica of St-Denis outside Paris. Her grave, beneath the altar steps, was never marked by a monument, so its location was unknown; probably for this reason, it was the only royal grave in the basilica that was not ransacked during the French Revolution, and it probably remains intact today.

Margaret outlived eight of her eleven children; only Blanche, Agnes and Robert outlived their mother.