Traitorous, wanton, frivolous, obese, foreign, deceitful. These are all terms used to describe Isabeau of Bavaria, a woman at the center of one of the most turbulent eras in French history. She shared the world stage with names like Joan of Arc, Henry V, and Charles VII but her name would not be revered and lionized by later generations. Instead, she would be cast as the ultimate villain in the tale of the struggle for France. She would be blamed for inflaming animosity and divisions within the French Court and driving her husband, King Charles VI, to madness. The information we have about Isabeau is often from years after her lifetime and none cite contemporary sources; leading us to question the validity of her legacy within the popular imagination. In the end, Isabeau’s life provides an opportunity for a much more nuanced legacy.
Featured Guest: Dr. Tracy Adams, a medieval historian who focuses on French and English literature alongside feminist theory. She is the author of numerous books, most importantly for this podcast, her seminal work The Life and Afterlife of Isabeau of Bavaria.
Special thanks to Kieren Peatling for the new theme music!
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