Blanca of Bourbon
Encyclopedia
Blanche of Bourbon was a queen consort of Castile. She was one of the daughters of Peter I, Duke of Bourbon
and Isabella of Valois.
On 3 June 1353, aged 14, she married in person at Valladolid
, Spain, King Peter I of Castile. Previously, she had been married by proxy at Abbaye de Preuilly
on 9 July 1352. They married because Peter wanted an alliance with France.
before his marriage to Blanche, though he did deny this. There were many problems on getting the money promised as a dowry for Blanche.
After three days of marriage, Peter abandoned Blanche for Maria de Padilla, with whom he later had four children, including Isabella of Castile, Duchess of York
, and Constance of Castile.
Eventually Blanche was imprisoned in the castle of Arevalo
. Blanche's cousin, John II of France
appealed to Pope Innocent VI
to have Peter excommunicated for keeping Blanche imprisoned, but the Pope overruled this.
Blanche and Peter had no children.
Peter I, Duke of Bourbon
Peter I of Bourbon was the second Duke of Bourbon, from 1342 to his death.Peter was son of Louis I of Bourbon, whom he also succeeded as Grand Chamberlain of France, and Mary of Avesnes....
and Isabella of Valois.
On 3 June 1353, aged 14, she married in person at Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
, Spain, King Peter I of Castile. Previously, she had been married by proxy at Abbaye de Preuilly
Preuilly
Preuilly may refer to the following places in France:*Preuilly, Cher, a commune in the department of Cher*Preuilly-sur-Claise, a commune in the department of Indre-et-Loire*Preuilly-la-Ville, a commune in the department of Indre...
on 9 July 1352. They married because Peter wanted an alliance with France.
Marriage
It is believed that king Peter had married his lover, the Castillian noble Maria de PadillaMaría de Padilla
María Díaz de Padilla was the mistress of King Peter of Castile whom he married in secret in 1353.She was a Castilian noblewoman...
before his marriage to Blanche, though he did deny this. There were many problems on getting the money promised as a dowry for Blanche.
After three days of marriage, Peter abandoned Blanche for Maria de Padilla, with whom he later had four children, including Isabella of Castile, Duchess of York
Isabella of Castile, Duchess of York
Infanta Isabella of Castile, Duchess of York was a daughter ofKing Peter of Castile and María de Padilla. She was a younger sister of Constance, Duchess of Lancaster....
, and Constance of Castile.
Eventually Blanche was imprisoned in the castle of Arevalo
Arévalo
Arévalo is a municipality in Spain, it is situated in the province of Ávila and is part of the autonomous community of Castile and León. The name came from Celtic word arevalon, meaning "place near the wall."-Regional importance:...
. Blanche's cousin, John II of France
John II of France
John II , called John the Good , was the King of France from 1350 until his death. He was the second sovereign of the House of Valois and is perhaps best remembered as the king who was vanquished at the Battle of Poitiers and taken as a captive to England.The son of Philip VI and Joan the Lame,...
appealed to Pope Innocent VI
Pope Innocent VI
Pope Innocent VI , born Étienne Aubert; his father was Adhemar Aubert seigneur de Montel-De-Gelas in Limousin province. His niece was Catherine Aubert, Dame de Boutheon, also the wife of Randon II baron de Joyeuse; she is La Fayette's ancestor...
to have Peter excommunicated for keeping Blanche imprisoned, but the Pope overruled this.
Death
Blanche died in Medina Sidonia at the age of twenty-two. The legend says that she was killed by a crossbowman sent by the king himself. Another legend speaks of poisoning.Blanche and Peter had no children.