La «otra» Blanca de Navarra, una reina entre tres reinos (c.1248-1302) [The «other» Blanche of Navarre, queen between three kingdoms (c. 1248-1302)]

Abstract

Queen Blanche of Navarre, born as Blanche of Artois (c. 1248-1302) was queen consort of Henry I (1271-1274) and regent of her young heir, Joan, after her husband’s death. Her life after 1274, when she moved to France with her daughter, is little known. French sources record her management as Countess of Champagne, always using the title of Queen of Navarre. In 1275, she got remarried to Edmund of Lancaster (1245-1296), son of the King of England, who governed Champagne in her behalf until his stepdaughter, Joan Queen of France, came of age. Chronicles and, above all, English Chancellery Records, allow us to recreate her career as countess of Lancaster, her insular estates, her travels, her entourage and her mediating role at the French court. Children born to Edmund were the origin of the house of Lancaster, that reigned in England from 1399 to 1461.