Does Isabeau of Bavaria deserve the blame for France's fourteenth-century troubles?

Introduction

In French History, primarily during the Middle Ages, France went through a difficult time with the rise of the power of the English army throughout the fourteenth century.

Following the death of Charles IV and the end of the four-centuries-old Capitean dynasty in 1328, Edward III of England claimed the French crown for himself. This lead to an event known as the Hundred Years War, fought between the French and the English over the French crown.

The war lasted longer than expected with vast casualties on both sides from fighting all over France and England. However, the French did run into various issues, including poor military leadership and unrest in their realm, with various rebellions on the line in the fourteenth century including the capture of King John II at Poitiers in 1356.

Towards the end of the fourteenth century, one king in particular has been central to this conflict, but his wife deserves a little more of the spotlight. As it is, she is often blamed for the downfall of France. This king was known as Charles VI — commonly referred to as Charles the Mad. His wife, Isabeau of Bavaria, was a powerful German noblewoman born in Munich, Germany, and connected with the powerful house of Wittlesbatch. Her father, Stephen, was the Duke of Bavaria.

Various explanations can be offered to explain the failure that was the reign of Charles VI — from his power hungry uncles, who wanted to control the throne to the ongoing Hundred Years War. However, that is not the focus of this essay.

This article considers how Charles VI's German wife dealt with the struggles associated with her mad husband. Some historians have looked on Isabeau as a villain — as the woman who caused the downfall of France and one of the most hated queens of France.

However, this article will argue that she was just a pawn in a situation that was far beyond her control. Isabeau tends to be forgotten in histories of the period as many documents on her life have been lost and need to be rediscovered. To many, she is a villain or a corrupt individual who used her husband's madness to gain as much power and control. But, as this essay will show, this is not the case.

What today is used as primary evidence is often in fact propaganda that defines her as "a corrupt" ruler. Isabeau of Bavaria deserves attention in the scholarly world for her qualities as a mother, her composure, and for not letting anyone get in her way. She was an unstoppable queen and should not be blamed for France's downfall or defined as the villain.

Isabeau the Mother

In the Middle Ages, the importance of motherhood spread throughout Europe, especially regarding the education of children. As a queen, Isabeau displayed certain qualities, particularly in the guardianship of her children and the prioritisation of their education.

For instance, in 1392, when Charles went mad, Isabeau was granted guardianship of the Dauphin of France, Louis, Duke of Guyenne. To many, this leads to an overlooking of this particular situation: the amount of pressure Isabeau herself had to endure when the king went mad, in spite of her husband's condition. Isabeau had no choice but to deal with her husband herself, as she still loved and tended to him no matter what. This is evident in how she handled what he said to her, even at his lowest points when he did not know who she was.

Notably, the amount of pressure she dealt with is something to address, especially as she was not from France and had to blend into a new culture. When together, Isabeau and Charles gave birth to twelve children in total, including the future Charles VII, Isabella of Valois, and Catherine of Valois. On the contrary, she tended to be a harsh mother and would control her children’s every action; but at the same time, the pressure of her husband going mad influenced her approach as a mother. To note, not having a husband by one's side can be hard, especially for a queen trying to keep the realm together.

Isabeau, however, did show a lot of greed and compassion; it can be noted that she loved gifts and all the splendor that comes with them, which was a depiction of her personality. Despite this—which was the issue that caused her to be hated within the court—she also grew up without a mother, as her own mother, Taddea Visconti, passed away when Isabeau was just eleven years old. Isabeau, even though she took a harsh approach, wanted her children to succeed wherever they went and to know that they were loved. In fact, she went even further and accompanied them wherever they went so they would not leave her side.

This is a crucial component of Isabeau’s life: even though she could be selfish in some cases, she still cared as a mother and tried to be her best when times were tough while, as a queen, still ruling her realm.

Isabeau the Wife

Charles' insanity spread throughout the court, including instances where he claimed he was made of glass or was even a wolf. Isabeau remained by his side, especially at the start of his bouts of madness, organising various balls and events to calm the king down. She even tried to approach him several times; although he dismissed her, there was still a sense of him knowing who she was.

Both Isabeau and Charles shared a loving relationship; it is poignant to note that when Charles first met her, he wanted only to gaze upon her, and their wedding took place just three days after their meeting. She remained by his side for the remainder of his insanity until his death in 1422.

Isabeau was met with constant challenges, including Charles' corrupt uncles, Philip the Bold and John, Duke of Berry, who sought every chance to gain more power and control. However, following French custom, Isabeau became regent and led the council over the power-hungry nobles. She remained loyal until the early 15th century, when a civil war broke out in 1407, known as the Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War.

Isabeau eventually changed sides multiple times, facing accusations of having an affair with Charles' brother, Louis, Duke of Orléans, who was murdered in 1407 at the start of the conflict. Louis was, in fact, a major threat to the kingdom, and his actions were a factor Isabeau had to navigate.

Still, in her own mind, she was often a pawn dealing with the rising control of power-hungry nobles. She was devoted to her husband and her children and did not want her husband's madness to stand in her way.

In the early 15th century, a young noblewoman named Odette de Champdivers entered court life. Isabeau utilised Odette as the king's new mistress for the times he forgot his wife, ensuring someone was by his side during his bouts. Odette’s presence is one example of how Isabeau showed composure as a wife, helping her husband and ensuring he was cared for.

Throughout her reign, she also organised pious processions, including one in 1396 to pray for her ill husband; later, in 1409, she ordered her children to pray for their father’s recovery at Mont-Saint-Michel. Isabeau had her flaws, but she nevertheless cared for her husband and remained by his side regardless of the situation, standing by him as a loving wife.

Isabeau the Ruler

In some cases, Isabeau was uninformed and, at times, unprepared for the actions of those surrounding her. She was already hated throughout France and within the court for her greed and conspiracies, as court gossip flourished around her.

While her perceived selfishness spread through the court, her childhood may explain why she developed this way. Isabeau followed her brother’s lead in many matters and lived in a very secluded environment, often isolated from others. This sheltered upbringing connects to who she became as a person; however, it was not her fault that she grew up without a mother and as an only daughter.

As queen, she did not allow others to stand in her way, which is a noteworthy quality. Despite the rising power of the nobles and her role as regent, Isabeau tried to maintain a steady hand in relations with the common people, even though she was disliked.

Once again, Isabeau was under immense pressure — including the scandal of the alleged affair—at a time when she had few choices. Her husband had gone insane and she was a foreigner, yet she did not let that deter her. In fact, she planned strategic marriages and took control of the council during difficult times. She demonstrated her devotion to the Church and strove to keep France stable. However, under Henry V of England, matters became complicated.

The famous Battle of Agincourt occurred in 1415, resulting in a French defeat amidst the ongoing civil war. Isabeau was the one often blamed, yet people frequently overlooked the rigid nature of the French court and the difficulty of managing her insane husband. She lacked support as those around her sought control, and accusations of greed and affairs once again came to the forefront. How could a queen lead an army in such a time? Why was the country so divided, especially between the Duchy of Burgundy and the French crown?

These concerns were heightened during the reign of Charles the Mad, while Isabeau remained trapped by the machinations of the court. Isabeau’s wit and greed were crucial factors of her identity; nonetheless, as the regent of a shattered kingdom, she deserves respect for the pressure she endured.

Conclusion

Throughout history, Isabeau’s story has often been neglected — and she is a forgotten queen in the lens of the Medieval Times. Isabeau deserves her place at the table as a woman as she was being controlled in every step she took.

France was already falling apart, and for a German woman with limited experience to effectively take the reins of power was difficult ask. In the end, France did recover much of the land lost under both Charles VII and Louis XI and gained a victory in the Hundreds Years War.

Isabeau did have some issues which are important to acknowledge. She could be greedy and was sometimes wrong. Examples of these are the affairs and scandals, which should be acknowledged, as well as her expensive tastes in fashion and how the court expanded. However, the latter can be explained by her role as a wife, and her loyalty was notable.

In fact, it is remarkable that a queen like this was able to handle all the stress and pressure even when France was still falling apart. Yes, having a mad husband was awful for Isbeau, but connecting the dots of her story is how history itself can be solved and to be able to regulate France and the issues within the realm and to not blame the queen in spite of a conflict.

Many contemporaries had similar perspectives regarding Isabeau. One of these is the fifteen century author, Christine di Pisan, who wrote for the queen herself and was the Queen's favour, author of the Book of the City of Ladies, that was completed in 1405.

To conclude, Isabeau of Bavaria was not perfect, but the qualities that made up her as a regent are the qualities necessary to rule a kingdom even under immense pressure.

Bibliography:

1. Adams, Tracy, and Glenn Rechtschaffen. “Isabeau of Bavaria, Anne of France, and the History of Female Regency in France.” Early Modern Women, vol. 8, 2013, pp. 119–47. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23617848. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.

2. Gibbons, Rachel. “Isabeau of Bavaria, Queen of France (1385-1422): The Creation of an Historical Villainess: The Alexander Prize Essay.” Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, vol. 6, 1996, pp. 51–73. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3679229. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.