Category: On This Day In Her Story
On This Day In Her Story #9: Eleanor of Provence Prepares to be Queen of England
November 23rd 1535: Young Eleanor of Provence takes a significant step on the road to becoming Queen of England when she exchanges verba de presenti with Henry of England’s representative, Robert de Mucegros, speaking on the King’s behalf. 
On This Day in Her Story #8: A Reunion of The Sister Queens
In October of 1254 Henry III and Eleanor of Provence receive permission from Louis IX of France to travel through his kingdom while making their way back to England from Gascony.
King Henry is eager to visit the grave of his mother, Isabella of Angoulême, at Fontevrault Abbey. Eleanor is excited by the prospect of seeing her sister Marguerite (Queen of France) after nearly two decades of separation. The stage is set for a family reunion between Provencal sisters and a meeting of their royal husbands during the Christmas season.
On This Day in Her Story #7: A Namesake for Marguerite of Provence
September 29th 1240 –King Henry III of England and his queen, Eleanor of Provence, celebrate the arrival of their second child, a daughter. 
This new princess is named Margaret after Eleanor’s beloved sister Marguerite, Queen of France.
On This Day in Her Story #6: The French Royals In The Kingdom of Cyprus
Mid September 1248 – The French crusaders land in the Kingdom of Cyprus where they will winter before continuing on to the Holy Land. King Louis IX; his queen, Marguerite of Provence; his brothers Robert and Charles and their wives all arrive on the same ship. Pulling into port they are greeted by an overwhelming and very reassuring sight—vast quantities of supplies for their crusade. These stores are tangible proof of the efficacy of Louis’s hard work and planning in the years before they left France. 
On This Day In Her Story #5: Crusade!
August 25th 1248 – Almost four years after taking the cross, Louis IX of France sets sail for the Holy Land from a royal port with the inauspicious name of Aigues-Mortes (dead waters). The king takes with him a massive army of crusaders. Marguerite of Provence is also among the crusading party.
On This Day In Her Story #4: The Death of Raymond Berenger
August 19th 1245 – Marguerite and Eleanor’s father, Raymond Berenger, Count of Provence dies and their sister Beatrice inherits Provence. Because Raymond dies in the midst of a massive power struggle between Pope Innocent IV and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, the question of succession inProvence takes on an international dimension and competition to lay claim to Beatrice’s hand is fierce.
On This Day In Her Story #3
August 9th 1239 – Eleanor of Provence’s Ceremony of Purification after the birth of the Lord Edward features more than 500 tapers lit before the Shrine of St. Edward the Confessor. The event is marred when Henry verbally attacks his sister’s husband, Simon de Montfort.
On This Day In Her Story #2
August 1240 – Henry III of England orders two halls at Westminster filled with the poor then feeds them at his expense, as offering for Eleanor’s safety in her approaching confinement. Princess Margaret will be born safely on September 29th
On This Day In Her Story
Today I am inaugurating a new series here at blog-central called “This Day In Her Story.” I will use it to feature historical tidbits that are germane to the stories of my sisters Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence. Enjoy!
On This Day In Herstory #1
July 17th 1242 – The marriage contract between Henry III’s brother Richard, Earl of Cornwall, and Eleanor’s sister Sanchia is concluded. Talk about keeping it all in the family 🙂