Isabella de France "The She-Wolf" [18450]

  General Notes:

At their coronation, Isabella had thought she was insulted by Edward by his show of affection for another (Gaveston). She held this grudge and finally entered into an affair with Roger Mortimer.

Relations with France becoming hostile, she requested a visit with the King of France and was soon joined by Roger Mortimer, who lived with her as a lover. In time, she and Mortimer raised an army and landed at Harwich on 24 September 1326. Edward showed little resistance, retreating to a stronghold in Wales. In two months he was captured.

He was held captive at Kenilworth Castle. Meanwhile, Isabelle called upon Parliament to despose of Edward but Parliament had no such authority. Negotiations ensued in favor of Edward's capitulation in favor of his son, which he did on 25 January.

Isabella and Mortimer arranged for Edward's death, attempting to make it appear natural, not wanting a violence to the King to become of public concern. They tried starving Edward but it was unsuccessful. Eventually Edward was tortured with a red hot poker and murdered.

In 1330 Isabella's deeds came to light and she was exiled to imprisonment at Castle Rising in Norfolk, lasting another 30 years. Mortimer was tried and executed after torture.

Isabella is buried at Newgate Prison.

Isabella married King Edward Plantagenet II [18449] [MRIN: 6295], son of King Edward I Plantagenet "Longshanks" [18077] and Eleanor de Castilie [18078], on 25 Jan 1308 in Boulogne Cathedral. (King Edward Plantagenet II [18449] was born on 25 Apr 1284 in Carnarvon Castle and died on 21 Sep 1327 in Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire.)