From Damsel in Distress to Predatory Harlot: Historiography and the Fourtheenth-Century Queen Isabella, "She-Wolf of France"

Abstract

Abstract Interpretations of Queen Isabella of France, known as both “the fair” and “the she-wolf of France,” have changed drastically since her life in the fourteenth century. Originally she was presented as a model queen and an exceptional wife. She supported her husband, Edward II of England, and excelled in diplomacy. Interpretations following her fall from power have, however, often presented her as inept and grasping. This dichotomy created two distinct Isabellas: the charming damsel of contemporary sources and the greedy harlot of her later biographers. Combining these two halves into a composite has proved challenging for historians of Isabella. Analyzing the historiography surrounding Isabella has allowed a better understanding of her actions and shed light on the intentions of those who have written about her. Concepts of gender also played a prominent role in interpretations of Isabella and her extraordinary actions. She overthrew her husband and ruled in the name of her son, Edward III of England, for four years. During her life, contemporary writing stressed Isabella’s adherence to gender roles despite her drastic actions. Works after her fall from power portrayed a rebellious Isabella usurping a masculine role. Tracing the divergent interpretations of Isabella allows for a deeper understanding of the importance of gender in historiography. Gender has been a primary tool used in the interpretation of Isabella for several centuries. It also highlights the importance of queenship studies in furthering our understanding of powerful and political women from the Middle Ages.