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.