Blanche of Artois

Blanche of Artois, born around 1248, was Queen of Navarre and Countess of Champagne and Brie through her marriage to Henry I of Navarre. Following Henry’s death, she served as regent for their daughter, Joan I. Although she transferred the regency of Navarre to Philip III of France, she continued to manage Champagne. Blanche later governed Champagne with her second husband, Edmund, until Joan reached adulthood.

Blanche was the daughter of Robert I, Count of Artois, and Matilda of Brabant, and a niece of King Louis IX of France. Her marriage to Henry occurred after a papal dispensation, and she later became regent, facing political challenges from neighboring kingdoms. After marrying Edmund Crouchback, she had four children, and eventually returned to France, where she founded a Franciscan abbey and expressed her burial wishes.