Isabella of France

Isabella of France was born to King Philip IV of France and Queen Joan I of Navarre in Paris, France.

Isabella spent her early years in the royal court of Paris, under the care of her parents and the royal household.

Isabella was engaged to Edward of Caernarvon, the future King Edward II of England, as part of a peace treaty between England and France.

Isabella married Edward of Caernarvon in Boulogne, France, becoming the Queen Consort of England. The marriage was a political alliance.

Isabella gave birth to her first son, Edward, who would later become King Edward III of England, at Windsor Castle.

Isabella's relationship with King Edward II deteriorated due to his favoritism towards Piers Gaveston and later Hugh Despenser the Younger, leading to political tensions.

Isabella was sent to France by Edward II to negotiate peace with her brother, King Charles IV of France, and to secure the return of her son, Edward of Windsor.

In France, Isabella formed an alliance with Roger Mortimer, an English nobleman and her lover, to depose King Edward II and place her son on the throne.

Isabella and Roger Mortimer landed in England with an army, gaining support from discontented nobles and leading a successful military campaign against Edward II.

King Edward II was deposed, and Isabella's son, Edward III, was proclaimed king. Isabella and Roger Mortimer acted as regents for the young king.

Isabella and Roger Mortimer began their regency, governing England on behalf of the young King Edward III, who was only 14 years old at the time.

Edward III, now 17, overthrew the regency of Isabella and Roger Mortimer, arresting Mortimer and having him executed. Isabella was placed under house arrest.

Isabella was placed under house arrest at Windsor Castle and later retired to a more comfortable life at Castle Rising in Norfolk.

Despite her reduced political role, Isabella continued to exert influence and patronage, maintaining a lavish household and supporting the arts and religion.

Isabella of France died at Hertford Castle, England, and was buried in the Franciscan church in Newgate, London, beside her husband, Edward II.