Community hub
Recent from talks
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Blanche of Bourbon
Blanche of Bourbon (1339–1361) was Queen consort of Castile as the wife of King Peter of Castile. She married Peter in 1353, but he abandoned her for his mistress, Maria. Blanche spent her remaining years imprisoned in Arévalo, Alcázar of Toledo and finally Medina Sidonia. She died in 1361, her cause of death is disputed.
Born in 1339, Blanche was the daughter of Peter I, Duke of Bourbon and Isabella of Valois. In 1352, two Castilian envoys arrived at the French court seeking a marriage contract between Blanche and King Peter of Castile. Their proposal was accepted. Blanche's familial relationship as a niece of King Philip IV of France and cousin to the current King John II were seen as advantageous by the cortes in Valladolid.
A key provision of the contract involved the dowry for Blanche which was set at 300,000 gold florins. Of this amount, 25,000 would be paid upon her arrival in Castile, another 25,000 on the first Christmas, and 50,000 on each of the following five Christmases. Among the properties Blanche was to acquire in Castile were Arévalo, Sepúlveda, Coca, and Mayorga. The agreement also stated that the assets would return to the Crown in the event that Blanche died without leaving an heir. If she died without incident, the contract would be void, and Peter would have to repay the dowry in accordance with the terms under which it was paid.
On 4 November 1352, Peter signed the marriage contract, while marriage preparations were put into place. Blanche did not leave for Castile until early January. The Viscount of Narbonne and other notable knights from her homeland accompanied Blanche. Her trunk collection, which included twelve trunks, six baskets coated in leather, and numerous other containers, was praised for being exquisite and luxurious. The most extravagant items included a 3200 escudos gold crown covered in gems; a tiara made of gold containing twelve rubies, twenty emeralds, sixteen diamonds, and forty large pearls valued at 2560 Libras; religious items and gold and silver table service; dresses made of gold cloth, silk, and wool from Brussels; elaborate hats; eighteen pairs of gloves and three dozen pairs of shoes; and plumes and furs for adornment. Blanche and her party arrived in Castile on 25 February 1353. She was greeted by Queen mother Maria.
On 3 June 1353, aged 14, Blanche married in person at Valladolid, King Peter of Castile. Previously, on 2 July 1352, the treaty of alliance between France and Castile and the marriage contract were signed, which was ratified five days later in France by King John II. There were many difficulties by the French in getting the money promised as a dowry for Blanche.
Two days after their marriage, Peter abandoned Blanche for Maria de Padilla.
Eventually Blanche was imprisoned in the castle of Arévalo and then in the Alcázar of Toledo. Blanche's cousin, King John II of France, appealed to Pope Innocent VI to have Peter excommunicated for keeping Blanche imprisoned, but the Pope refused. Blanche and Peter had no children.
In 1361, Blanche was transferred to the town of Medina Sidonia, where she was kept distant from possible rescue by the forces from Aragon and France battling King Peter. The Pope advocated for her release.
Hub AI
Blanche of Bourbon AI simulator
(@Blanche of Bourbon_simulator)
Blanche of Bourbon
Blanche of Bourbon (1339–1361) was Queen consort of Castile as the wife of King Peter of Castile. She married Peter in 1353, but he abandoned her for his mistress, Maria. Blanche spent her remaining years imprisoned in Arévalo, Alcázar of Toledo and finally Medina Sidonia. She died in 1361, her cause of death is disputed.
Born in 1339, Blanche was the daughter of Peter I, Duke of Bourbon and Isabella of Valois. In 1352, two Castilian envoys arrived at the French court seeking a marriage contract between Blanche and King Peter of Castile. Their proposal was accepted. Blanche's familial relationship as a niece of King Philip IV of France and cousin to the current King John II were seen as advantageous by the cortes in Valladolid.
A key provision of the contract involved the dowry for Blanche which was set at 300,000 gold florins. Of this amount, 25,000 would be paid upon her arrival in Castile, another 25,000 on the first Christmas, and 50,000 on each of the following five Christmases. Among the properties Blanche was to acquire in Castile were Arévalo, Sepúlveda, Coca, and Mayorga. The agreement also stated that the assets would return to the Crown in the event that Blanche died without leaving an heir. If she died without incident, the contract would be void, and Peter would have to repay the dowry in accordance with the terms under which it was paid.
On 4 November 1352, Peter signed the marriage contract, while marriage preparations were put into place. Blanche did not leave for Castile until early January. The Viscount of Narbonne and other notable knights from her homeland accompanied Blanche. Her trunk collection, which included twelve trunks, six baskets coated in leather, and numerous other containers, was praised for being exquisite and luxurious. The most extravagant items included a 3200 escudos gold crown covered in gems; a tiara made of gold containing twelve rubies, twenty emeralds, sixteen diamonds, and forty large pearls valued at 2560 Libras; religious items and gold and silver table service; dresses made of gold cloth, silk, and wool from Brussels; elaborate hats; eighteen pairs of gloves and three dozen pairs of shoes; and plumes and furs for adornment. Blanche and her party arrived in Castile on 25 February 1353. She was greeted by Queen mother Maria.
On 3 June 1353, aged 14, Blanche married in person at Valladolid, King Peter of Castile. Previously, on 2 July 1352, the treaty of alliance between France and Castile and the marriage contract were signed, which was ratified five days later in France by King John II. There were many difficulties by the French in getting the money promised as a dowry for Blanche.
Two days after their marriage, Peter abandoned Blanche for Maria de Padilla.
Eventually Blanche was imprisoned in the castle of Arévalo and then in the Alcázar of Toledo. Blanche's cousin, King John II of France, appealed to Pope Innocent VI to have Peter excommunicated for keeping Blanche imprisoned, but the Pope refused. Blanche and Peter had no children.
In 1361, Blanche was transferred to the town of Medina Sidonia, where she was kept distant from possible rescue by the forces from Aragon and France battling King Peter. The Pope advocated for her release.