Alys of the Vexin: Betrayed by her Inlaws
Alys of the Vexin was the daughter of King Louis VII of France by his second wife, Constance of Castile. At the time of her birth, Alys had one full sister named Margaret. She also had two older half sisters by Louis' first wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Her father would have two more children with a third wife after her mother's death.
Despite being exes, Eleanor and Louis stayed in communication and arranged for their children by their new spouses to marry. Margaret was betrothed to Henry II and Eleanor's oldest son, the Young Henry, while Alys was betrothed to Henry's younger brother, Richard. At age eight, Alys was sent to live in Henry II's court as his ward. Margaret and Young Henry were duly married and produced a short lived son; however, despite being of marriageable age, the marriage between Richard and Alys did not occur. Rumors began to swirl, with many saying the reason for this breach of contract was due to Henry II's own lust for his would be daughter in law. Some even said that Alys bore Henry a child. The Pope threatened Henry II with an interdict, yet the marriage still did not occur. When Henry II finally died, Richard married Berengaria of Navarre, while still formally engaged to Alys.
Louis VII tried to arrange for Alys to marry Henry II's youngest son, John, but Eleanor of Aquitaine refused. Finally, Alys' brother, Philip, arranged for her marriage. Alys was married off to William IV Talvas, Count of Ponthieu, a dismal substitute for the would be King Richard. Based on her advanced age, Philip assumed the marriage would be childless and he could claim Ponthieu. However, Alys found some shred of happiness and managed to give birth to three children. One would survive, Marie, who became the grandmother of Eleanor of Castile, the first wife and queen of Edward I of England. In the end, Alys' descendants did end up on the throne of England.
Despite being exes, Eleanor and Louis stayed in communication and arranged for their children by their new spouses to marry. Margaret was betrothed to Henry II and Eleanor's oldest son, the Young Henry, while Alys was betrothed to Henry's younger brother, Richard. At age eight, Alys was sent to live in Henry II's court as his ward. Margaret and Young Henry were duly married and produced a short lived son; however, despite being of marriageable age, the marriage between Richard and Alys did not occur. Rumors began to swirl, with many saying the reason for this breach of contract was due to Henry II's own lust for his would be daughter in law. Some even said that Alys bore Henry a child. The Pope threatened Henry II with an interdict, yet the marriage still did not occur. When Henry II finally died, Richard married Berengaria of Navarre, while still formally engaged to Alys.
Louis VII tried to arrange for Alys to marry Henry II's youngest son, John, but Eleanor of Aquitaine refused. Finally, Alys' brother, Philip, arranged for her marriage. Alys was married off to William IV Talvas, Count of Ponthieu, a dismal substitute for the would be King Richard. Based on her advanced age, Philip assumed the marriage would be childless and he could claim Ponthieu. However, Alys found some shred of happiness and managed to give birth to three children. One would survive, Marie, who became the grandmother of Eleanor of Castile, the first wife and queen of Edward I of England. In the end, Alys' descendants did end up on the throne of England.
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| Alys' daughter, Marie of Ponthieu |
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