Royalty. Born the only daughter of Henri III de Brabant and Adelaide de Bourgogne. She is only fourteen years old when she marries Philipp III, who is twice as old and father of several children. They are married on August 27th, 1274 at Vincennes, and she is crowned ten months later in the Sainte-Chapelle. Philipps' decisions are being influenced by his mother Marguerite de Provence and his chamberlain and personal doctor Pierre de la Broce. Maria's court starts to scheme against the doctor to restrict his power. When Philipps eldest son Louis died suddenly in 1276 rumors start flying. Some blame Maria and others de la Broce of poisoning the prince. Philippe has de la Broce arrested in June 1278 and hanged at Montfaucon. Maria, supported by Charles of Anjou, influences her husband to send Marguerite away. She has to leave the court and retires to the convent of the Cordelières in Saint-Marcel. Now Maria's influence over the king becomes apparent as she has no opponent at the court anymore. She persuades Philipp to a campaign against Aragon to punish the king for the 'Sicilian Vespers' and to support Charles' claims to Sicily. Both undertakings failed and during his retreat from Aragon Philipp was infected with malaria and died near Perpignan. He was succeeded by his eldest surviving son from his first marriage. Maria lost every political power and from then on dedicated her life to her three children. She not only survived her husband by 36 years, but also two more kings of France and retires in 1316 to the Abbey of Les Mureaux, near Meulan where she dies forgotten. Her grave at the Couvent des Cordeliers was destroyed by a fire in 1580.
Royalty. Born the only daughter of Henri III de Brabant and Adelaide de Bourgogne. She is only fourteen years old when she marries Philipp III, who is twice as old and father of several children. They are married on August 27th, 1274 at Vincennes, and she is crowned ten months later in the Sainte-Chapelle. Philipps' decisions are being influenced by his mother Marguerite de Provence and his chamberlain and personal doctor Pierre de la Broce. Maria's court starts to scheme against the doctor to restrict his power. When Philipps eldest son Louis died suddenly in 1276 rumors start flying. Some blame Maria and others de la Broce of poisoning the prince. Philippe has de la Broce arrested in June 1278 and hanged at Montfaucon. Maria, supported by Charles of Anjou, influences her husband to send Marguerite away. She has to leave the court and retires to the convent of the Cordelières in Saint-Marcel. Now Maria's influence over the king becomes apparent as she has no opponent at the court anymore. She persuades Philipp to a campaign against Aragon to punish the king for the 'Sicilian Vespers' and to support Charles' claims to Sicily. Both undertakings failed and during his retreat from Aragon Philipp was infected with malaria and died near Perpignan. He was succeeded by his eldest surviving son from his first marriage. Maria lost every political power and from then on dedicated her life to her three children. She not only survived her husband by 36 years, but also two more kings of France and retires in 1316 to the Abbey of Les Mureaux, near Meulan where she dies forgotten. Her grave at the Couvent des Cordeliers was destroyed by a fire in 1580.
Bio by: Lutetia
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