Princess Isabella of France (1295-1358) was the daughter of King Philip IV of France, also known as Philip the Fair, and Queen Joan I of Navarre. She was the sister of three kings of France: Louis X, Philip V, and Charles IV. She is sometimes referred to as the “She-Wolf of France”.
In 1308, Isabella was married to Edward II of England as part of a political alliance between the two countries. The marriage was not a happy one, and Edward’s close relationship with his male favorite Piers Gaveston was a source of tension. After Gaveston’s execution in 1312, Isabella withdrew from court life for several years, but she eventually became involved in politics herself. Some sources suggest that she was a shrewd strategist and a master of political intrigue.
In 1325, Isabella traveled to France to negotiate a peace treaty between England and France, but instead, she formed an alliance with her brother, King Charles IV, and the exiled English nobleman Roger Mortimer. In 1326, Isabella and Mortimer invaded England with a small army, and they were able to depose Edward II and place their son, Edward III, on the throne.
Isabella earned herself the name “She-Wolf of France” because of her role in the deposition of her husband. The term “she-wolf” is a reference to the ancient Roman legend of Romulus and Remus, who were said to have been raised by a she-wolf. Isabella’s involvement in the coup that led to Edward II’s deposition and eventual death was unusual for a queen at the time, and her actions have been viewed by some historians as ruthless and cunning.
Isabella’s later years were marked by conflicts with Mortimer and her son, who eventually had Mortimer executed. Isabella was confined to Castle Rising in Norfolk for several years before she was allowed to return to France, where she died in 1358.
