The Compassionate Queen: Philippa of Hainault
She was not afraid to challenge her husband, King Edward III
Philippa of Hainault was the wife and queen of King Edward III of England (reigned 1327–77). A highly intelligent and resourceful woman, she was also noted for her compassionate nature and for being the mother of sons whose own progeny would play leading roles in later conflicts in England.
Her early life
Philippa was the second daughter of Count William of Hainault and Holland and Countess Jeanne. She was probably born at Valenciennes on 24th June 1314, although some historians have speculated that she may have been born at any time between 1310 and 1315. Hainault was a province of the Holy Roman Empire that occupied part of what is now western Belgium and northern France.
There has been speculation that Philippa was dark-skinned and therefore counts as England’s “first black queen” — the idea being that she had Moorish blood in her. However, the evidence for this is not strong, and can therefore be doubted.
A marriage is arranged
The prime mover behind the marriage of Edward and Philippa was Edward’s mother Queen Isabella, who was keen to depose her husband, King Edward II, and place her son on the throne with the real power remaining in…