The Tour de Nesle Affair

How a royal affair played a part in the downfall of a French dynasty

Some of the principal actors in the Tour de Nesle Affair, depicted in 1315, the year after the scandal broke: Philip IV of France (centre) and his family: l–r: his sons, Charles and Philip, his daughter Isabella, himself, his eldest son and heir Louis, and his brother, Charles of Valois. via Wikipedia

The House of Capet ruled France from 978 CE until 1328 CE. The dynasty’s downfall began with King Philip IV’s death in 1314. His three sons succeeded him, each who died without a male heir. With the death of King Charles IV in 1328, the throne of France passed to the cadet house of Valois.

An event seen as a possible catalyst for the fall of the Capets occurred in 1314. At the time, Philip IV had arranged the marriages for each of his sons. Louis (the future Louis X) was married to Margaret of Burgundy. Philip (later Philip V) married Countess Joan of Burgundy.

And Charles (later Charles IV) married Joan’s sister, Blanche. Philip’s daughter, Isabella, was married to the English King Edward II. The dynasty appeared to be secured to last after Philip IV’s death.

Unknown to the princes, their wives were less loyal than they suspected. The first suspicions of the scandal that would erupt began in 1313. Isabella and Edward had visited her father in France. During the visit, Isabella gifted embroidered purses to her brothers and sisters-in-law.

Later that year, Isabella celebrated her return to London with a feast. She noticed that two of the purses were in the possession of two Norman knights…