#blancheofcastile

Her leadership didn't end there. When Louis IX departed on the Seventh Crusade in 1248, Blanche once again served as regent, governing France with the same steady hand until her death in 1252. Her intelligence, resilience, and political talent made her one of medieval Europe's greatest female rulers and helped lay the foundation for the strength of the Capetian monarchy.

Louis IX's mother, Blanche of Castile (Eleanor of Aquitaine's granddaughter), ruled for him until he grew up. Blanche succeeded in stopping rebellions and held on to her power. She also ruled France while Louis was away on the Seventh Crusade, even though she thought it was a dumb idea. She's a granddaughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine, and her own daughters and granddaughters ruled all over Europe throughout the Middle Ages. Women rulers weren't as rare as we sometimes think. #blancheofcastile #eleanorofaquitaine #queenoffrance #parisfrance #louisix #saintlouis #seventhcrusade

Isabella of France (the great-great-granddaughter of Blanche of Castile and through her descended from Eleanor of Aquitaine) led an armed rebellion against her husband Edward Ii in 1326, and ruled England herself as regent for her fourteen year old son, Edward III. She was in her 30s. She made peace with Scotland and was generally successful. When Edward III grew up, though, he seized power from Isabella, and she retired at about forty. #isabellaoffrance #womeninpower #queenofengland #eleanorofaquitaine #blancheofcastile #medievaleurope #medievalengland