Queen Nefertari Merytmut

The Lady of Grace 

Queen Nefertari was the first queen of Pharaoh Ramses II among his large harem. When she was 13, she married the 15 year old Ramses II, who was mostly known as Ramses the Great. They have been married for about 24 years and had at least 4 sons and 2 daughters from this marriage. Sources at the same time prove to us that Ramses felt great love for Nefertari in that time with many titles given to her by him and the poems which was found on her tomb who was also written by him.

"My love is unique — no one can rival her, for she is the most beautiful woman alive. Just by passing, she has stolen away my heart."

She was very well educated, speaking many languages and one of the best Egyptian queens. It was known that she accompanied Ramses in some military campaigns and even she managed some successful diplomatic negativities. We do not know the origin of her, except that she was a member of the royal family. According to some scholars, Nefertari was the daughter of the King Ay or King Seti I. The only certain thing is she was the most beloved one for her husband, King Ramses and this shows us why her grave was built so beautifully which is now in the Valley of the Queens and the largest tomb. Ramses also built amazing temples in honor of her wife Nefertari, at Abu Simbel in Nubia which he dedicated it to Nefertari and Goddess Hathor. Queen Nefertari's and several of the royal children's paintings are on the temple. 

• Nefertari means "Beautiful Companion" and Meritmut means "Beloved of (the Goddess) Mut". 

 

 Some Titles of Queen Nefertari 

• Great of Praises
• Sweet of Love 
• Lady of Grace 
• Great King’s Wife 
• Lady of The Two Lands 
• Great Royal Wife, his beloved
• Lady of all Lands 
• Wife of the Strong Bull
• God’s Wife
• Great King’s Wife, his beloved 
• Great Royal Wife
• Lady of Both Lands
• Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt

Blanche of France, Duchess of Austria

French Princess

Blanche was borned in 1282 in Paris. She was the daughter of King Philip III of France and Maria of Brabant. She had a crowded family because of her father married two times. 

Until her sister Margaret was borned, Blanche was the first daughter of King Philip and it put her precious status about political marriage before her sister. 

Being Philip’s first daughter made her engaged four times with four suitors. Her dowry was quite well and John I, Marquis of Namur was her first fiancé. But after a while, John choosed marry with Margaret of Clermont and Blanche’s first engagement was ended like that.

Second future groom was determined as Edward II, Prince of Wales, in 1291 and England roads was seen to Blanche until King Edward I, father of Edward II, broke that engagement. King Edward had heard Blanche’s undoubtedly beauty and he wanted her to himself. In that times, his son Edward II choosed Isabella, niece of Blanche, for marriage and Blanche was preparing for being Queen of England and wife of King Edward I. 

The new king of France was Blanche’s half brother Philip IV accepted King Edward I’s marriage offer but he had some conditions. After positive negotiations, Edward I sent his brother to France for taking Blanche but his brother told him that Blanche had already engaged someone else. Philip IV offered his other half sister Margaret to Edward I but it didn’t help.

After five years war, Edward I accepted Margaret as his new wife and truce was seen in two countries while Blanche was engaged with John, son of John II, Count of Holland. It was her 4th engagement but wasn’t the last. 

In the end, her lux dowry was great for Austria court and finally Blanche was married with Rudolph I of Bohemia, son of King Albert I of Germany. Although Blanche’s four long engagement terms made her tired because of her young age. She was only 18 years old when she got married with Rudolph in 1300. (Even it was late age for marriage as a princess)

Fourth year of marriage, she had son who lived shortly and also she bore stillborn daughter. It made her miserable pain became worst. After miscarriage, she couldn’t resist anymore and she died in 1305, while she was living in Vienna. Unfortunately Blanche’s son died one year later, in 1306 because of possibly poison. 

The Conqueror's Wife: 'Matilda'

Tiny Queen

Matilda of Flanders is the daughter of Count Baldwin V of Flanders and Adela of France. She was born in 1031, Bruges, Belgium. She is known as Shortest Queen in English History. 

According to her tomb’s length, she was nearly 1.52 cm. She was really too short when William was next to her. In the other side, they were cousins in the fifth degree. Even the church’s objections about relative married, but it didn’t prevent marriage and couple had 11 children. (4 prince, 7 princess)

In 1066, after William gone she was played role as regent with her son, Robert. After William’s victory at the Battle of Hastings, she has reunited with him in 1067. Just one year later, she was crowned Queen of England on 11 May 1068 by the Archbishop of York. But days weren’t easy for her, especially after being queen she had so many responsibilities for her husband, children and people. 

While her favourite son Robert and her husband William had struggles between in each other, she  should have been in a very bad psychological state. Even Robert was a rebellious but her husband, who was faithful all his life to her, was right, her motherhood doesn’t let her forget his son. Secretly, she was helping Robert with her jewellers and money. She helped Robert until William caught her. But even after it, he forgive his beloved wife. 

Eventually father and son’s struggles are done and the reunited again. But that all fatigue forced her to be sick. She had strong in firsts but after too much endurances, she couldn’t make it and passed out in 1083.