Isabella de Courcy

The birth of Isabella de Courcy

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Isabella Plantagenet, also known as Isabella de Courcy, was born on 16th June 1332

Isabella was the daughter of Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault.

Isabella was the royal couple's second child, and eldest daughter. She was named after her paternal grandmother, and Isabella is believed to have been her father's favourite daughter.

Born at Woodstock Palace, in Oxfordshire, she was a pampered baby lying in a gilded cradle, lined with taffeta and covered with a fur coverlet.

She wore gowns of Italian silk, embroidered with jewels and lined with fur.

She had, along with her siblings, a household of servants which included a personal chaplain, musicians, a noble governor and governess and three waiting women as well as a staff of esquires, clerks, butlers, cooks, grooms, and other attendants.

Described as being over-indulged, wildly extravagant and wilful, Isabella remained unmarried until she was 33.

Although she had many marriage offers, each would fail.

Eventually, she married Enguerrand VII, Lord of Courcy.

He was a wealthy French Lord, son of Enguerrand VII and Katharina von Habsberg.

They married on 27th July 1356, at Windsor Castle.

Her Father gave her a lifetime annual income, together with expensive jewellery and vast amounts of land.

In 1365, Isabella and Enguerrand moved to France.

Their first daughter, Marie, was born in 1366.

After a short trip back to England, Enguerrand was given the royal title of Earl of Bedfordshire, and Isabelle Countess.

Their second daughter Philippa, was born in 1367.

Because Engeurrand also served the King of France as military leader, he was frequently away.

Consequently, Isabella made frequent visits to her family in England.

In 1376, Isabella was made Lady of the Garter.

When Isabella's father, Edward III, died on 21st June 1377, she was with him at his bedside.

After the accession of her nephew, Richard II, in 1377, Engeurrand resigned all his English titles and possessions.

Isabella was separated from her husband and eldest daughter, when she died suddenly, under mysterious circumstances.

The date for her death is unclear, but it is thought to be April 1379.

Isabella was buried in Greyfriars Church, Greenwich, London.

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Source~Academic

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https://ko-fi.com/thetudorintruders

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Isabella de Courcy with her Mother Philippa of Hainault, from the wall painting at St Stephens chapel