(1188-1252)
Queen of France, regent for Louis IX, and expert at military logistics. Blanche of Castile (1188—1252) was one of the greatest rulers of France; historians have commented that by right she should be listed as one of the kings of France because she was so much more than simply a queen consort. Blanche’s career was extraordinary and provides evidence of women’s roles in medieval war not only in the making of treaties between states and in support from the home front but also in the much rarer form of active planning and directing of military campaigns.
Blanche was a Spanish princess, the daughter of Alfonso VIII of Castile and Eleanor, a daughter of Henry II of England. In 1200, she was married to Louis, heir to the French throne, as one of the terms in a treaty between the French and English (she was dowered with lands that had been contested between the two kings). Little more is known of her until 1216, when she began to display the firm, resourceful personality that won her fame. In that year, Prince Louis invaded England at the invitation of rebellious English barons, claiming the throne of England in Blanche’s name. Blanche was her husband’s chief supporter. She established herself at Calais, where she organized two fleets and an army for the invasion. Although the campaign failed, Blanche’s own position as head of logistics had been beyond reproach.
It is unclear what role Blanche played during her husband Louis VIII’s brief (1223-1226) rule; queen consorts were not expected to be politically active in this period. However, Louis died young, and left Blanche as regent and guardian of their twelve-year-old son Louis IX (later canonized as St. Louis). The situation was dangerous. The nobles of France had deeply resented Philip II Augustus’s strong rule (1180-1223) and further despised Blanche as a woman and a foreigner. A league of barons was established in 1226 to seize the regency from Blanche and generally weaken royal authority. Blanche responded so vigorously, showing her talent for military organization by raising an effective army and engaging in adroit diplomacy, that the league dissolved. The nobles of Poitou went on to make an alliance with the English against Blanche’s regency, but she fought down this combined English-Poitevin attack in 1230.
From 1248 until her death at the end of 1252, Blanche served France as regent a second time when her son Louis IX decided to go on crusade despite Blanche’s strong disapproval. She succeeded in keeping peace in France and yet again showed her talent for logistics, channeling ever more men and money to the East to support Louis’s ruinously expensive and ultimately disastrously defeated venture. She died before her son’s return, worn out by her efforts to provide the logistical support for a war that stretched France’s resources to their limits.
