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Rethinking Theory
The Life and Afterlife of Isabeau of Bavaria
The fascinating history of Isabeau of Bavaria is a tale of two queens. During her lifetime, Isabeau, the long-suffering wife of mad King Charles VI of France, was respected and revered. After her death, she was reviled as an incompetent regent, depraved adulteress, and betrayer of the throne. Asserting that there is no historical support for this posthumous reputation, Tracy Adams returns Isabeau to her rightful place in history.
Adulteress and traitor—two charges long leveled against the queen—are the first subjects of Adam’s reinterpretation of medieval French history. Scholars have concluded that the myths of Isabeau’s scandalous past are just that: rumors that evolved after her death in the context of a political power struggle. Unfortunately, this has not prevented the lies from finding their way into respected studies on the period. Adams’s own work serves as a corrective, rehabilitating the reputation of the good queen and exploring the larger topic of memory and the creation of myth.
Adams next challenges the general perception that the queen lacked political acumen. With her husband incapacitated by insanity, Isabeau was forced to rule a country ripped apart by feuding, power-hungry factions. Adams argues that Isabeau handled her role astutely in such a contentious environment, preserving the monarchy from the incursions of the king’s powerful male relatives.
Taking issue with history’s harsh treatment of a woman who ruled under difficult circumstances, Adams convincingly recasts Isabeau as a respected and competent queen.
Adulteress and traitor—two charges long leveled against the queen—are the first subjects of Adam’s reinterpretation of medieval French history. Scholars have concluded that the myths of Isabeau’s scandalous past are just that: rumors that evolved after her death in the context of a political power struggle. Unfortunately, this has not prevented the lies from finding their way into respected studies on the period. Adams’s own work serves as a corrective, rehabilitating the reputation of the good queen and exploring the larger topic of memory and the creation of myth.
Adams next challenges the general perception that the queen lacked political acumen. With her husband incapacitated by insanity, Isabeau was forced to rule a country ripped apart by feuding, power-hungry factions. Adams argues that Isabeau handled her role astutely in such a contentious environment, preserving the monarchy from the incursions of the king’s powerful male relatives.
Taking issue with history’s harsh treatment of a woman who ruled under difficult circumstances, Adams convincingly recasts Isabeau as a respected and competent queen.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published August 17, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 12, 2019
The author seems to think that Isabeau is just a poor, innocent victim of slut shaming but I disagree.
October 22, 2013
The Life and Afterlife of Isabeau of Bavaria
By Tracy Adams
This reader has been submerged in Tudor Era history for the last year and it was refreshing to return to an area of interest but less expertise. I certainly learned a great deal from this book.
It was great that in the Introduction Adams took the time to explain what was going to be covered, why and how. The main objective was to disprove the reputation that Isabeau has acquired of an adulterous spendthrift. Adams’ premise became Isabeau’s role as mediator Queen. She presented strong arguments with plenty of primary sources. Some readers may find the French (and some other languages) followed by English translations as off-putting. I certainly appreciated the close association of the primary source and its accessible English. The issue using translations and the inevitable alteration of primary sources will not be dealt with in this review however.
Sometimes it felt as if the information was a bit repetitive but from that time-period to present as many sources as available was probably a good idea as the author must have felt herself. She quoted Ronald Schechter on page xviii who said “Once a fact becomes ‘common knowledge’ the historian is released from the obligation to cite a source…”
The text covers the road that Elizabeth von Wittelsbach, a decedent from the Merovingians of France as the daughter of Stephen III of Bavaria and Taddea Visconti (ruling family of Milan, Italy), took on her way to Queen of France. Isabeau (the French for Elizabeth) married Charles VI Valois in the midst of the 100 Years War as a response to the English/French connection of Richard II to Anne of Bohemia. A fascinating time of history: Charles VI had periods of insanity; Isabeau played an active role in the negotiations with England which saw the French crown be ‘passed’ to Henry VI; Joan of Arc emerged to place the Dauphine on the throne as Charles VII; and Christine de Pisan was at the peak of her writing.
One issue with the writing was the difficulty in keeping track of the Dauphine. There were three ending with Charles VII as his elder brothers both died. Just a gentle suggestion perhaps to refer to Louis, Dauphine of France as his other title, Duke of Guyenne and his younger brother John, Dauphine of France as his title, Duke of Touraine—these are beyond Charles, Dauphine who died in infancy. This was confusing and made it a bit tough going even with the non-chart family tree in the back. It was a nuisance to keep flipping back to figure out the time-frame which Dauphine was being discussed.
There were a few holes which needed to be filled such as on page 32. Adams mentions that Isabeau was deprived of her daughter, daughter-in-law and sister-in-law without explaining their significance nor their closeness to Isabeau. Overall, Adams accomplishes what she set out to do—present an alternative case for the reputation of Isabeau. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
By Tracy Adams
This reader has been submerged in Tudor Era history for the last year and it was refreshing to return to an area of interest but less expertise. I certainly learned a great deal from this book.
It was great that in the Introduction Adams took the time to explain what was going to be covered, why and how. The main objective was to disprove the reputation that Isabeau has acquired of an adulterous spendthrift. Adams’ premise became Isabeau’s role as mediator Queen. She presented strong arguments with plenty of primary sources. Some readers may find the French (and some other languages) followed by English translations as off-putting. I certainly appreciated the close association of the primary source and its accessible English. The issue using translations and the inevitable alteration of primary sources will not be dealt with in this review however.
Sometimes it felt as if the information was a bit repetitive but from that time-period to present as many sources as available was probably a good idea as the author must have felt herself. She quoted Ronald Schechter on page xviii who said “Once a fact becomes ‘common knowledge’ the historian is released from the obligation to cite a source…”
The text covers the road that Elizabeth von Wittelsbach, a decedent from the Merovingians of France as the daughter of Stephen III of Bavaria and Taddea Visconti (ruling family of Milan, Italy), took on her way to Queen of France. Isabeau (the French for Elizabeth) married Charles VI Valois in the midst of the 100 Years War as a response to the English/French connection of Richard II to Anne of Bohemia. A fascinating time of history: Charles VI had periods of insanity; Isabeau played an active role in the negotiations with England which saw the French crown be ‘passed’ to Henry VI; Joan of Arc emerged to place the Dauphine on the throne as Charles VII; and Christine de Pisan was at the peak of her writing.
One issue with the writing was the difficulty in keeping track of the Dauphine. There were three ending with Charles VII as his elder brothers both died. Just a gentle suggestion perhaps to refer to Louis, Dauphine of France as his other title, Duke of Guyenne and his younger brother John, Dauphine of France as his title, Duke of Touraine—these are beyond Charles, Dauphine who died in infancy. This was confusing and made it a bit tough going even with the non-chart family tree in the back. It was a nuisance to keep flipping back to figure out the time-frame which Dauphine was being discussed.
There were a few holes which needed to be filled such as on page 32. Adams mentions that Isabeau was deprived of her daughter, daughter-in-law and sister-in-law without explaining their significance nor their closeness to Isabeau. Overall, Adams accomplishes what she set out to do—present an alternative case for the reputation of Isabeau. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
August 3, 2014
Author was blatantly intent on proving Isabeau was not what her critics had thought. I felt most of the book took a naive approach in support of her, the author seemed a bit star struck. In the end I agree with his conclusion that she is a person who should be studied and researched. I find her interesting in the sense that I don't believe she was a clueless from day one as the author does. I think she was a crafty and clever woman who did what she needed for herself and family, and was very good at playing all around her for most of her time as queen.
April 21, 2016
A well written and interesting book, that I found very useful for researching my novel about medieval Western Europe.
December 12, 2014
Link to my review of this book:
http://flhwnotesandreviews.com/2014/1...
http://flhwnotesandreviews.com/2014/1...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews