Isabeau of Bavaria

Isabeau of Bavaria, also known as Isabelle or Elisabeth of Bavaria-Ingolstadt, was born into the House of Wittelsbach, the daughter of Duke Stephen III of Bavaria-Ingolstadt and Taddea Visconti of Milan. At around 15 or 16 years old, she was sent to France to marry King Charles VI and became Queen of France following their marriage three days after meeting. She experienced a grand coronation in 1389 and was recognized with an elaborate entry into Paris. When Charles VI began to suffer from mental illness in 1392, Isabeau became regent to the Dauphin and was influential in the regency council during her husband’s periods of incapacity.

Isabeau’s time as queen was marked by the Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War, prompted by the power vacuum due to Charles’ illness. Her shifting allegiances between the Armagnacs and Burgundians led to accusations of adultery and imprisonment. After her son Charles had the Duke of Burgundy assassinated, he was disinherited. Isabeau attended the signing of the Treaty of Troyes in 1420, which declared that the English king would inherit the French crown after Charles VI’s death. She resided in English-occupied Paris until her death in 1435. Historians have reassessed her legacy, concluding that many negative aspects of her reputation were the result of factionalism and propaganda.