Isabella of France 1292-1358
Queen of England

The daughter of Philip IV of France, she married Edward II at Boulogne (1308), but was treated badly by him, and returned to France (1325) when her brother, Charles IV, seized Edward's territories in France. She became the mistress of Roger de Mortimer (later Earl of March), with whom she invaded England (1326) and overthrew Edward, forcing him to abdicate in favour of her young son, Edward III, with herself and Mortimer as regents. They plundered the treasury and had Edward II murdered at Berkeley Castle (1327). However three years later, Edward III asserted his authority, and Isabella and Mortimer were arrested. Mortimer was hanged, drawn and quartered, while Isabella was sent into retirement at Castle Rising, near King's Lynn, Norfolk, for the rest of her life.

Bibliography: Jean Verdon, Isabeau de Bavi�re (1981)