Catherine of Valois Archives

May 1, 2022March 29, 2023

The Unexpected Legacy of Catherine of Valois

Disclaimer: The content, images, materials, and information provided on this website is only intended to be general summary information to the public. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. It should not be viewed as medical, financial, legal, or professional advice of any sort. We will do our best to confirm the accuracy of all information that appears on our website but cannot guarantee accuracy, reliability, or timeliness. All recommendations are made without guarantee or warranty. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

During the Medieval Period, royal women are often remembered as the “Daughter of…” or the “Mother of…” (because, of course, their value is based on the men in their lives). If we look at Catherine of Valois from that perspective, she is a pretty average royal medieval woman. She was the Daughter of Charles VI, Queen Consort of Henry V, Mother of Henry VI, and Grandmother of Henry VII. On its face, that legacy is very ordinary. It is the details that make her legacy extraordinary.

The Daughter, The Queen Consort, and The Mother

As the Daughter of Charles VI, she was raised by a Mad French King and a reviled Queen during a civil war and an English invasion (a traumatic childhood to say the least). While her reign as Queen Consort to Henry V was very short, Catherine literally made the English aristocracy’s dreams come true by bringing all of France as her dowry AND immediately got pregnant with the heir to the throne. Her time as Queen Mother was toxic (due to turds like Humphrey of Gloucester). While these things would make her an interesting woman to study, it is her final label that takes her legacy to a different level.

The Grandmother Through… The Tudors?

In a normal world, being the Grandmother of Henry VII would be expected. He was named after her husband and son. Plus, as Queen Mother, her grandson was expected to be her son’s heir. Henry VII was one of her son’s heir, but he was Edmund Tudor’s son, not Henry VI’s (cue the dramatic music).

Even though Catherine of Valois was his mother, Edmund Tudor was never in line for the throne. First off, his father, Owen Tudor, was Welsh. Not only was he Welsh, but Owen was the son of a Welsh rebel! Secondly, the marriage between Catherine and Owen was not entirely legal (because Humphrey of Gloucester was a vindictive asshole).

The Perks of Being Half-Brothers to the King

Upon Catherine’s death, no one could have predicted that her second son would be the father of a king. In fact, after Edmund’s own death, the idea that his son would one day be king was laughable. Henry VI and his own son, Edward of Lancaster, were alive and there were countless nobles who were ahead of Henry VII in the line of succession. Not to mention, Henry VII’s only claim to the throne (which was very very thin) was through his mother, Margaret Beaufort, not Edmund. Even though he was half-brother to the English King, Edmund himself was French and Welsh with literally no English royal descent.

The only reason Edmund was able to marry Margaret Beaufort (a rich heiress who was cousin to the king) was because he was Henry VI’s half-brother. While Catherine did not play a significant role in Henry VI’s life once he was removed from her household, Henry VI cared for his mother. He took care of his half-brothers, which led to Edmund’s marriage to Margaret. (That marriage is so fucking gross. She was way too young at 12, even for the time.) Essentially, the only reason why Henry VII existed is because of Catherine’s most scandalous choice: her marriage to Owen Tudor.

Catherine of Valois’s Legacy

One of the only times Catherine took control of her life (which frankly, she had very little agency for most of her life) was when she married Owen Tudor despite the fact that it was illegal. This moment of agency changed the course of history, although, those changes did not come to pass until well after her death. If Owen had married anyone else, Edmund would have not married Margaret and Henry VII would never have been born.

The world would be a very different place today without Catherine of Valois.

Disclaimer: Some links within this website may lead to other sites that we believe may be useful or informative. The Snarky History Nerd Blog does not incorporate any materials appearing in such linked sites by reference. These links to third party sites or information are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying our endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the third party information, products, or services found there. We do not maintain or control these sites and accordingly make no guarantee concerning the accuracy, reliability, or currency of the information found there.

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Sources:

Author	Source Name
Alison Weir	The War of the Roses.
Mary McGrigor	The Sister Queens: Isabella & Catherine de Valois
Dan Jones	The War of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors.
Lisa Hilton	Queens Consort: England’s Medieval Queens from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Elizabeth of York.
Erin Lawless	Forgotten Royal Women: The King and I
Dan Jones	The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England

April 17, 2022June 20, 2022

Propaganda in Medieval England: Catherine of Valois

Disclaimer: The content, images, materials, and information provided on this website is only intended to be general suary information to the public. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. It should not be viewed as medical, financial, legal, or professional advice of any sort. We will do our best to confirm the accuracy of all information that appears on our website but cannot guarantee accuracy, reliability, or timeliness. All recommendations are made without guarantee or warranty. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

For a brief overview of Catherine of Valois, read my previous blog post “Catherine of Valois: The KISS Edition” by clicking here.

The Bright Shiny New Queen

At the time of her marriage, Catherine of Valois was one of the most valuable women in the western world for two very specific reasons.

She was her mother’s 11^th child (which, honestly, that poor woman. So many babies and no painkillers!!!!) Generally, a woman whose mother gave birth to multiple children and lived was ideal for a Queen. The rate of women dying in childbirth was extremely high. Plus, having children (aka sons because they are all sexist assholes) was critical to a dynasty’s survival.
Her dowry was literally France. Like the whole fucking country. (Mic drop).

Arriving to England as the Queen Consort to Henry V, Catherine was seen as the ideal queen. Attractive, fertile, and France. A triple threat. The golden princess of France. Her presence alone affirmed the English claim to the French throne. It was used in the English propaganda to justify the war in France.

engraved by W. H. Mote (1803-1871) after an illustration by J.W. Wright, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

The Widow Who Gave England France

After Henry V died, her image lost its shine. She was no longer the golden French princess who married their king; she was simply a representation of their claim to France. Still useful for propaganda but not for much else (which is so messed up). So they treated her like she was fine china. They used her when they needed to impress but put her back in the cupboard and forgot about her afterwards.

The Regency Council needed Catherine and her image (as much as they hated that they did). She had to remain the Dowager Queen who brought France as her dowry. To be anything else would be a political disaster. So when Edmund Beaufort (her late husband’s cousin, which is gross. So gross.) began to court her, the Council lost their shit. They immediately created a law specifically to prevent her from marrying again. If Catherine married again, it would muddle the image that they needed for their propaganda.

“Mrs. Tudor”

When she snuck behind their backs and married Owen Tudor, that image shattered. It was incredibly scandalous, not to mention illegal (which is sooo fucked up). She became more associated with the scandal than her link to France. The Regency Council just pretty much wanted her to go away. So she did. She spent the majority of the rest of her life living with her husband and children on her dower estates. Doing what she wanted instead of what everyone else wanted her to do.

Her Legacy

From the get-go, Catherine was used for propaganda. While Henry V needed her to produce heirs, he needed her connection to France more. Even after he was gone, the only value that was placed on her by her contemporaries was France. Marrying a woman for heirs and a dowery was common in the Medieval Ages. Catherine’s situation, in many ways, is extreme. Her marriage was supposed to end a war that had been raging for a hundred years over France. The significance of her marriage actually lasted longer than her marriage and cost her much of her freedom.

Truthfully, much about her story and legacy (aside from the Tudor stuff) is depressing. Especially from a 21st century feminist perspective. My heart breaks for her in many ways but fills with joy in others. Her story is the story of small wins. She was a celebrated queen of England. She was able to have a hand in raising her son. She defied the powerful men of the time and married for a second time. It is important to look past the image that she was used for and see her for her resiliency.

Sources:

Author	Source Name	Links Per Type
Alison Weir	The War of the Roses.	Kindle Edition Audible Edition Paperback Edition
Mary McGrigor	The Sister Queens: Isabella & Catherine de Valois	Kindle Edition Paperback Edition Hardcover Edition
Dan Jones	The War of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors.	Kindle Edition Audible Edition Hardcover Edition Paperback Edition
Lisa Hilton	Queens Consort: England’s Medieval Queens from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Elizabeth of York.	Kindle Edition Paperback Edition
Erin Lawless	Forgotten Royal Women: The King and I	Kindle Edition Paperback Edition
Dan Jones	The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England	Kindle Edition Audible Edition Paperback Edition Hardcover Edition

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April 5, 2022June 20, 2022

Catherine of Valois: The KISS Edition

Image Attribution: engraved by W. H. Mote (1803-1871) after an illustration by J.W. Wright, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

For the month of April 2022, we are going to be focusing on the spectacular Catherine of Valois (daughter of the French Mad King, mother of the English Mad King, and grandmother to the most famous English dynasty ever AKA the Tudors). We are starting out with the traditional KISS Edition (Keep It Simple Stupid) so that we are all on the same page as we explore the world of Catherine of Valois.

For a review of the Hundred Years War, use this link to read my blog post “Hundred Years War: The Gift That Keeps On Giving”.

For more information about the War of the Roses, use this link to read my blog post “The War of the Roses: The KISS Edition”.

Baby French Princess

Growing up as a French princess may seem like a dream come true, but for Catherine of Valois, it was, in many ways, a living nightmare. France, to put it simply, was a hot mess. There was a civil war between the Burgundians and the Armangacs. England took advantage of the chaos and restarted the Hundred Years War. On top of all of this, her father, Charles VI, suffered from bouts of insanity, which not only made him extremely violent but also unable to consistently rule France. Isabeau of Bavaria, her mother, ended up having to step in and rule as his regent. She was (un-fucking-fairly) blamed for all of the chaos and suffering (which was actually the fault of power hungry men like Henry V and John the Fearless of Burgundy). She joined Marie Antoinette, and Catherine de’ Medici as one of the worst Queens of France in history.

The Shining New Queen of England

Probably the only normal thing about Catherine’s early life was that her marriage was a political move. A desperate political that completely backfired in every way, but a political move none the less. In an effort to end the Hundred Years War, Charles VI signed the Treaty of Troyes, which named Henry V of England as his heir once he married Catherine of Valois. His enemies claimed that Charles VI and Isabeau essentially sold off France and their daughter (conveniently forgetting the destruction that the English was raining down on the French countryside).

Of course, the English loved it and celebrated their new queen for the simple fact that she brought France as her dowry. It definitely helped that she got pregnant almost immediately, and the future looked bright for the new Queen of England; however, within two years, that future was in ashes at her feet.

The Suspicious Queen Mother

Henry V died suddenly from dysentery (diarrhea that will literally kill you), leaving his only son, Henry VI, as the new king of England before his first birthday. The same people who looked at Catherine with reverence now looked at her with suspicion. Their heroic king was dead. Catherine was a French princess and could not be trusted. Any power that she had was gone in an instant.

Henry V’s brothers essentially ran the country until Henry VI was old enough to rule on his own. Catherine was allowed to raise Henry VI while he was young, but he was soon put in the care of tutors to help prepare him to rule England (without Catherine’s nasty French influence). For the most part, Catherine was left to her own devices, as long as she did not make any waves.

The Rebel Wife

So naturally, Catherine made waves. For the most part, Catherine was the consummate Queen Mother, but she wanted to be more. She was raised to be a wife and mother and she was barely given the chance to be either. So, she began a courtship with Edmund Beaufort. Because her brothers-in-law were control freaks and jackasses, they passed an act that essentially declared that she could not marry without permission from the king; otherwise, her husband would lose his lands. At this point, Henry VI was still too young to give his permission, which effectively cock-blocked her.

Edmund Beaufort decided that he had too much to lose to risk marrying Catherine, so once again, she was alone. She then set her eyes on Owen Tudor, a Welsh knight with nothing to lose. They married in secret, basically giving the regency council the middle finger. While she was slapped on the wrist, she was essentially able to live a happy life with Tudor. She had three children with him before she died. Her descendants would create the infamous Tudor dynasty.

Catherine of Valois took her own happiness into her own hands and effectively changed the course of history in the process, embodying the spirit of an absolute badass.

Sources

Author	Source Name	Links Per Type
Alison Weir	The War of the Roses.	Kindle Edition Audible Edition Paperback Edition
Mary McGrigor	The Sister Queens: Isabella & Catherine de Valois	Kindle Edition Paperback Edition Hardcover Edition
Dan Jones	The War of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors.	Kindle Edition Audible Edition Hardcover Edition Paperback Edition
Lisa Hilton	Queens Consort: England’s Medieval Queens from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Elizabeth of York.	Kindle Edition Paperback Edition
Erin Lawless	Forgotten Royal Women: The King and I	Kindle Edition Paperback Edition
Dan Jones	The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England	Kindle Edition Audible Edition Paperback Edition Hardcover Edition

Subscribe to the Snarky History Nerd Blog Email List

March 23, 2022June 21, 2022

Top 10 Kickass Women in the War of the Roses: Part 1

In celebration of Women’s History Month (in the United States), I am highlighting the kickass women who contributed to the War of the Roses. In their own way, each of these women affected the way the war played out. Some of them did it by rebelling against the social norms and taking their fates into their hands while others played the roles that they were expected to while being in powerful positions. Many of them are considered famous women in history.

10) Eleanor Cobham

Edwin Austin Abbey, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

While Eleanor Cobham’s scandal happened a little earlier than the outbreak of the War of the Roses, it greatly affected the political landscape leading up to the War of the Roses. Eleanor was the daughter of a lesser noble who became the lady-in-waiting to Jacqueline of Hainaut, who was Humphrey of Gloucester’s wife. Eleanor and Humphrey began an affair, which led to Humphrey annulling his marriage to Jacqueline so that he could marry Eleanor (which was super scandalous).

Of course, the scandal does not end there. Humphrey gained more power in the regency when his brother, John of Bedford, died. Many members of the regency council did not like Humphrey and when the opportunity presented itself, they lashed out and accused Eleanor of witchcraft (because of course). She was convicted, forced to divorce her husband and remained in confinement for the rest of her life.

While her downfall had more to do with the fact that Humphrey was a political dumpster fire that it did with her, Eleanor took her destiny into her own hands. She became the mistress, and then wife, to one of the heirs to the throne despite being part of the lesser nobility and not bringing any political or monetary value to the marriage. She was essentially giving the English nobility the middle finger and did whatever the fuck she wanted.

9) Anne Neville

William Henry Mote, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

Anne Neville, Warwick’s youngest daughter, was the wife of a Lancastrian prince and the Queen Consort of a Yorkist King. Her marriage to Edward of Lancaster (Henry VI’s heir) was organized by her father during his rebellion against Edward IV to solidify his alliance with Margaret of Anjou (because power matters more than your daughter’s happiness). Most of their marriage was spent in exile and her husband perished soon after they arrived in England.

Anne was in a really shitty spot once she became a widow. She was under the control of her brother-in-law, George of Clarence (who was a greedy asshole). George attempted to prevent her from marrying Richard III (who was simply a Duke at that time), but with the blessing of Edward IV, the marriage went through. She remained out of the spotlight until Richard III usurped the throne from his nephews after Edward IV’s death. She was not Queen Consort for long as she died young, along with her only child.

Anne Neville should be a fascinating character in this story. She was a survivor who in any other period of time, had the potential to be a powerful women. But in the long shadows of legends such as Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Woodville, and Margaret Beaufort, she falls short.

8) Catherine of Valois

While she was Queen Consort to Henry V and Queen Mother to Henry VI, Catherine of Valois had very little influence on the political stage in England. Henry V pretty much got her pregnant immediately and then died in a very shitty way (pun intended; aka he died of dysentery), making her reign as Queen Consort very short. Due to the fact that she was a French princess during the Hundred Years’ War, she was not given regency during Henry VI’s youth, though she was very involved in raising him during his younger years. Truthfully, she made very little impact during her lifetime.

Since she had very little power, the regency council paid little attention to her, except regarding her love life. As Queen Mother, her second husband could have used her position to gain power and influence (and they could not have that). So, after her first engagement was broken by the regency council, she eloped with Owen Tudor, a Welsh knight (the ultimate Mike Drop). It was this one rebellious act that shows how badass she was. She wanted to marry Owen Tudor, so she did. This act had very little impact on politics at that time, but her grandson from this union would eventually become Henry VII or Henry Tudor.

7) Margaret of Burgundy

Anonymous (Southern Netherlands)Unknown author, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

Sister to Edward IV and Richard III, Margaret of Burgundy is often overlooked in the retelling of the tale of the Cousin’s War Her role in the conflict is primarily limited to Warwick’s temper tantrum during Edward IV’s reign and her achievements during this period are directly connected to her husband, so she gets little to no credit.

During the brief period in which Warwick overthrew Edward IV and placed Henry VI back on the throne, Edward IV fled England and sought sanctuary from Margaret and her husband in Burgundy. It is believed that Margaret was instrumental in reconciling Edward IV and George of Clarence. George was basically a treasonous asshole to his brother. Margaret and her mother, Cecily Neville, worked together to reconciled the estranged brothers, which helped Edward IV take back the throne once and for all.

Margaret is most well known for being the primary backer for the pretenders to the throne during Henry VII’s reign. Despite her niece being Queen Consort, Margaret provided funds and troops for pretenders like Perkin Warbeck who claimed to be Richard of York (one of Edward IVs sons who disappeared under Richard III’s “protection”). Her actions ensured that the War of the Roses continued well into Henry VII’s reign.

Brief Side Note: Her biggest badass moments have more to do with her regency over Burgundy after her husband’s death than her impact on the War of the Roses.

6) Elizabeth of York

National Portrait Gallery, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

Elizabeth of York, Edward IV’s first born and Henry VII, was vital to ending the War of the Roses. As the Yorkist primary heir to the throne, her marriage to Henry VII (the Lancastrian heir) united the Yorks and Lancasters, especially as she gave birth to seven children. This solidified the Tudor dynasty and eventually peace (once her aunt, Margaret of Burgundy, stopped stirring shit up with pretenders to the thrown).

Frankly, in a different period of time (or a different list), Elizabeth would be ranked much higher. As a princess and then Queen, she fulfilled her roles perfectly. In comparison to her mother, Elizabeth Woodville (whose marriage literally caused the biggest scandal) and her mother-in-law, Margaret Beaufort (who literally put her son on the throne despite his sketchy as fuck “right to rule”), she blends in the background. Due to Margaret Beaufort’s elevated role as the King’s mother, she did not have much political influence beyond the arrangement of her children’s marriages.

While I am stopping here, don’t worry; there is waaaayyy more to come. Part 2, with the rest of the list, will be coming out next week.

Do you agree with my rankings so far? What are your thoughts on these badasses? Please leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments below. I would love to hear them!

Sources

Links Disclaimer: Some links within this website may lead to other sites that we believe may be useful or informative. The Snarky History Nerd Blog does not incorporate any materials appearing in such linked sites by reference. These links to third party sites or information are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying our endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the third party information, products, or services found there. We do not maintain or control these sites and accordingly make no guarantee concerning the accuracy, reliability, or currency of the information found there.

Alison Weir. The War of the Roses. http://www.alisonweir.org.uk/

Dan Jones. The War of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13844539.Dan_Jones

Lisa Hilton. Queens Consort: England’s Medieval Queens from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Elizabeth of York. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4333081-queens-consort

Sarah Gristwood. Blood Sisters: The Women Behind the War of the Roses. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13498116-blood-sisters

Erin Lawless. Forgotten Royal Women: The King and I. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/45182330-forgotten-royal-women

Gemma Holland. Royal Witches: Witchcraft and the Nobility in Fifteenth Century England. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46158747-royal-witches