Blanche of Brittany

Blanche of Brittany was born in 1271 as the daughter of John II, Duke of Brittany, and Beatrice of England. Known also by the name Blanche de Dreux, she had royal lineage through her mother, being the granddaughter of King Henry III of England and Eleanor of Provence. Her marriage to Philip of Artois took place in Paris after November 1281, with whom she had seven children.

Philip of Artois, Blanche’s husband, was wounded at the Battle of Furnes and succumbed to his injuries over a year later. His death sparked a succession dispute over the title of Artois, which ultimately passed to his sister’s lineage. Blanche’s descendants held significant positions; her daughter Margaret was the mother of Philip III of Navarre. Blanche died on 19 March 1327 at the Chateau de Bois-de-Vincennes and was interred at the Couvent des Jacobins in Paris, which has since been demolished.