1136 – 25 July 1182
House: House of Blois
Titles: Countess of Boulogne, Abbess of Romsey
Marie I, also known as Mary, was the suo jure Countess of Boulogne from 1159 to 1170 and served as the Abbess of Romsey before her abduction and forced marriage to Matthew of Alsace. She is speculated to be one of the potential identities of the literary figure Marie de France. Born in 1136, she was the younger daughter of King Stephen of England and Matilda I, Countess of Boulogne, and grew up during her father’s turbulent reign characterized by ‘The Anarchy’.
Marie took religious vows at Romsey Abbey, where she became Abbess in 1155. She inherited the title of Countess of Boulogne in 1159 after the death of her brother William. Her forced marriage to Matthew of Alsace in 1160 resulted in two daughters before it was annulled in 1170. Marie returned to religious life and passed away on 25 July 1182 at St. Austrebert, Montreuil.
Death: Died at the age of about 46 at St. Austrebert, Montreuil, where she was also buried.
Reign: 10 years, 9 months, and 14 days
Children: Ida, Countess of Boulogne; Matilda, Duchess of Brabant
Marriages: Matthew of Alsace (m. 1160; div. 1170)
Parents: Stephen, King of England, and Matilda I, Countess of Boulogine