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Isabella, queen of England and countess of Gloucester

Born: C. 1160   Died: 1217 (14 October)   

Isabella was the first wife of King John and heiress of William (second) earl of Gloucester.

Following the death of her brother in 1166, Isabella's father, Earl William (d. 1183), orchestrated her betrothal to King John which was effected in 1176; William declared John heir to his earldom. But it was only after Richard I's accession to the throne in 1189 that Isabella and John were married. Ten years later the marriage was annulled on the grounds of consanguinity.
In 1216 Isabella was married to Geoffrey de Mandeville and the pair joined the barons in their rebellion against the king. Geoffrey was killed in a tournament in 1216 and Isabella was married for a third time; her new husband was the royal justiciar, Hubert de Burgh. Soon after her marriage Isabella died, seemingly at Keynsham Abbey, near Bristol. She was buried at Christ Church, Canterbury.

Sites associated with this person

Margam Abbey, Neath Port Talbot (patron)

Bibliographical sources

Printed sources

Patterson, Robert B., 'Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online - Isabella, suo jure countess of Gloucester (c.1160-1217), queen of England, first consort of King John',


 
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