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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 11th 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.
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.
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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 |