BLANCHE OF CASTILE, THE DOMINANT QUEEN MOTHER

Exceptional destinies

An episode from the series SECRETS OF HISTORY - PORTRAITS

Synopsis

Blanche of Castile (1188-1252) was not just a extremely pious regent, even if she was obsessed with the salvation of her son, King Louis IX, who will become Saint Louis. She was a strong woman who dominated the 13th century with her character and grit.

As her name suggests, she was born in Spain and her grandmother was none other than the prestigious Eleanor of Aquitaine. It is that grandmother who organized her marriage, at the age of 12, to the young Prince Louis who was only 13, son of Philippe Auguste and heir to the throne. She gave 12 children to Prince Louis, who will be crowned King Louis VIII.