Born – around 1279
Died – 14th February 1318
Father – Philip III of France (1245 – 1285)
Mother – Maria of Brabant (1254 – 1322)
Spouse – King Edward I of England (1239 – 1307)
Children – Thomas of Brotherton (1300 – 1338), Edmund of Woodstock (1301 – 1330), Eleanor (1306 – 1311)
Queen of England – 1299 – 1307
Predecessor – Eleanor of Castile – 1272 – 1290
Successor – Isabella of France – 1308 – 1327
1279 (around)
Margaret of France was born to King Philip III of France and Maria of Brabant.
1285 (5th October)
Margaret’s father died. Her mother’s half-brother became King Philip IV of France.
1291 (31st July)
Margaret’s sister, Blanche, was betrothed to Prince Edward of England.
1293 (during)
Margaret’s sister, Blanche’s betrothal to Prince Edward of England was broken when Edward’s father, King Edward I, decided to marry her himself.
1293 (around)
Margaret’s sister, Blanche was betrothed to Rudolph of Austria and Margaret was offered as a bride to King Edward of England.
1296 (during)
Margaret’s brother, King Philip IV of France, invaded English-held Gascony.
1299 (10th September)
Margaret married King Edward I of England and Wales at Canterbury Cathedral.
1300 (1st June)
A son, Thomas, was born to Margaret and King Edward.
1301 (5th August)
A son, Edmund, was born to Margaret and King Edward.
1305 (1st March)
Margaret was very upset when her sister, Blanche, died from complications following a miscarriage.
1306 (4th May)
A daughter, Eleanor, was born to Edward and Margaret.
1307 (7th July)
Margaret’s husband, King Edward I died at Burgh-on-Sands, Northumberland from dysentery. He was succeeded by his son from his first marriage, Edward II.
1307 (6th August)
Margaret was annoyed when Edward II controversially created his favourite Piers Gaveston Earl of Cornwall. She had hoped that the title would be given to her eldest son, Thomas.
1308 (25th January)
King Edward married Margaret’s niece, Isabella, the 12 year old daughter of Philip IV of France.
1308 (25th February)
Margaret attended the coronation of Edward II and Isabella of France at Westminster Abbey.
1308 (during)
Margaret and her children went to live in Marlborough Castle away from court and the influence of Piers Gaveston.
1308 (April)
The barons, supported by Queen Isabella, Philip IV of France and probably Margaret, again complained about the power and influence wielded by Piers Gaveston. Edward reluctantly agreed to send Gaveston away and gave him the title Lieutenant of Ireland before sending him to Ireland. It was reported that Margaret and her brother, Philip IV had given £40,000 in financial support.
1311 (during)
Margaret’s daughter, Eleanor, died at Amesbury Abbey. She was buried in Beaulieu Abbey.
1311 (October)
Under immense pressure King Edward II was forced to accept the Ordinances – a list of terms that limited the power of the monarch and ordered that Edward’s favourite, Gaveston, be exiled.
1311 (December)
By the end of 1311 Edward was facing opposition from many of the English barons.
1312 (January)
Edward revoked the Ordinances and recalled Gaveston to England.
1312 (Late January)
King Edward’s actions had served to further alienate the barons. The barons met secretly in London and drew up a plan to capture King Edward, Isabella and Gaveston.
1312 (Spring)
Edward, Isabella and Gaveston fled north but were followed by the Earls of Lancaster and Pembroke. In an attempt to outwit their pursuers Edward and Isabella went to York leaving Gaveston at Scarborough.
1312 (Late Spring)
Gaveston surrendered to the Earl of Pembroke who took him south. However, on the way Gaveston was seized by the Earl of Warwick who took him to Warwick Castle.
1312 (18th June)
The Earl of Warwick conducted a show trial which found Gaveston guilty of treason.
1312 (19th June)
Piers Gaveston was executed.
1312 (after 19th June)
Edward was furious when he heard the news of Gaveston’s death and vowed to seek revenge. However, civil war was averted when the Earls of Pembroke and Surrey pledged their support to Edward
1312 (13th November)
A son, Edward was born to Edward II and his wife Isabella. Margaret was at court at the time of the birth.
1318 (14th February)
Margaret of France died at Marlborough Castle. She was buried at Christ Church, Greyfriars in London.
First published 2018, updated and re-published Sept 29 @ 11:37 – Updated – [last-modified]
Harvard Reference for this page:
Heather Y Wheeler. (2018 – 2020). Margaret of France c1279 – 1318.