Category: On This Day In Her Story
The Massacre of Vassy
Today is a bloody anniversary.
Four-hundred and fifty-four years ago, on March 1, 1562 a massacre that began the first of France’s eight Wars of Religion occurred: the Massacre of Vassy. Just six weeks earlier the Crown—young King Charles IX was on the throne and his mother Catherine de Médicis was regent—had signed the “Edict of January,” granting Protestants within French borders certain rights of conscience. The powerful Guise family—uber Catholic and thinking they knew better—wanted that edict rescinded. The Duc de Guise (Francis, father of the Duc in my latest novel, Médicis Daughter) saw a chance to make that happen when, while traveling to his estates, he stopped in Vassy to hear Mass and happened upon a group of French Huguenot civilians worshiping in barn near the Catholic Church. Francis and his men attacked. Seventy-four members of the Protestant congregation were slain, and more than one-hundred injured. Both numbers included women and children.
Not surprisingly, the massacre resulted in a newly militant attitude among French Protestants. In the wake of Vassy the national synod of the reformed church appealed to the Prince de Condé to become “Protector of the Churches,” and he and those in his sway accepted the task. This marked a switch in church leadership away from various pastors and towards “noble protectors.” It also set the stage for decades of military clashes in the name of religion.
Hoping to cool matters down and in response to French Protestant calls for “justice” Catherine de Médicis appointed the Cardinal de Bourbon governor of Paris. The Cardinal in turn immediately ordered both the Duc de Guise and the Protestant Prince de Condé to leave the city, but Guise refused (Condé left as ordered). Catherine knew right then if she hadn’t known before that the Guises were going to be a serious thorn in her side.
On This Day In Her Story #18: Marguerite and Eleanor’s Youngest Sister — Beatrice, Countess of Provence — Marries Into the French Royal Family
January 31, 1246 – On this day (and as a result of the earlier secret conclave at Cluny) Beatrice, Countess of Provence, marries Charles d’Anjou, brother of Louis IX at Aix in Provence.
A list of “medieval celebrities” are present at the marriage, including: the bride’s sister Marguerite (Queen of France) and her husband Louis IX; Blanche of Castile, Dowager Queen of France; the Dowager Countess Beatrice of Provence; and the bride’s prestigious Savoyard Uncles (Thomas and Count Amadeus IV). When the groom complains noisily that the event lacks sufficient grandeur (he had expected a magnificent affair in Sens or Paris), Marguerite is NOT amused. Eleanor of Provence will learn of her sister’s marriage into the Capetian line only after-the-fact, and she will be furious.
On This Day In Her Story #17: Henry and Eleanor Return to England After Spending the Holidays with the French Royal Court
January 1255 – Eleanor and Henry return to England after spending Christmas at the French Royal Court (on route home from Gascony). Louis IX makes Henri III a present – an elephant the King of France acquired on crusade – while Marguerite gives her beloved sister Eleanor a peacock shaped washing bowl encrusted with jewels.
On This Day In Her Story #16: Eleanor of Provence and Henry III Are Married
January 14, 1236 – Eleanor of Provence and Henry III of England marry. This is THE MOST significant single event of Eleanor’s life. 
Eleanor’s bridal train arrives in Canterbury before it is expected. Henry hurries to meet her and insists on marrying at once in a relatively private affair, saving the public spectacle for her coronation.
On This Day In Her Story #15: Papal Dispensation Clears the Way for Marguerite and Louis to Marry
January 1234 – The papal dispensation necessary for Marguerite of Provence to marry Louis IX ofFrance(they were cousins) is granted.
On This Day In Her Story #14: Princess Margaret Marries Alexander III of Scotland
December 1251 – Eleanor and Henry’s oldest daughter, Margaret, marries Alexander III of Scotland at York. The bride is eleven years old and totally beloved of her parents. Few state occasions during Henry III’s reign will equal this one in splendor.
On This Day In Her Story #13: Conclave at Cluny Serves French Interests, Betrays English Interests
December 1245 – A secret conclave at Cluny (attended by Pope Innocent IV and the French royals) arranges to bring Beatrice of Provence into the Capetian family. Beatrice, who had inherited Provence upon the death of Count Raymond Berenger V, is a glittering matrimonial prize—with the balance of power in the Midi hinging upon her alliance.
Louis IX is highly pleased to secure Beatrice as the bride for his younger brother, Charles de Anjou (thus drawing Provence into the sphere of influence of the French crown). Henry III of England, hearing of the conclave after the fact, is furious, feeling his interests have been betrayed by Eleanor’s Savoyard relations, including Boniface of Savoy whom he had named Archbishop of Canterbury.
On This Day in Her Story #12: Peter of Savoy, Master Politician
December 1240 – Eleanor’s uncle and most important political advisor, Peter of Savoy, arrives in England where Henry immediately both knights and fetes him. 
Peter, known for his valor, was sometimes called “le petit Charlemagne” He quickly became a savvy player in English politics while amassing significant wealth and power (he was created Earl of Richmond and built the SavoyPalace in London).
On This Day In Her Story #11: Marguerite’s Mother-In-Law, Blanche of Castile, Dies.
November 27th1252: Louis IX of France’s beloved mother, Blanche of Castile, dies. On her deathbed she “takes the veil” wearing it over her crown.
It will take months for the French King (who is on crusade and moving from place to place in the Holy Land) to hear of the Dowager Queen’s death. Unlike Louis, Marguerite will not be saddened by the news.
On this Day In Her Story #10: The Birth of One Final Child for Eleanor and Henry
November 25th 1254: An older (and wiser) Eleanor of Provence gives birth to her last child—a daughter Katherine—while acting as regent of England. Henry is in Gascony.