Virtuous or Villainess? The Image of the Royal Mother from the Early Medieval to the Early Modern Era (Queenship and Power)

This collection addresses royal motherhood across Europe, from both the medieval and Early Modern periods, including (in)famous and not-so-famous royal mothers. The essays in this collection reveal the complexities and the subtleties inherent in the role of royal mothers and challenges these traditional stereotypes. The volume provides a fresh re-evaluation of these women, from those who have been given an almost saintly status to those who struggled against contemporary chronicles and propaganda that perpetuated the stereotypes associated with ‘bad mothers’– these particular images of saintliness and wickedness have persisted right into the modern era. This series of intriguing case studies reveals how royal mothers were perceived by their contemporaries and explores the motivation for the ways in which they are depicted in modern popular culture. Taken together with the companion volume, __Royal Mothers and their Ruling Children,__ this collection sheds new light on the important and challenging role of mothers within the framework of monarchy and at the epicenter of power. Acknowledgments 6 Contents 8 Contributors 10 List of Figures 14 Introduction 15 Notes 22 Part I: Fashioning the Image of the “Good” and “Bad” Royal Mother 23 Empress Theodora: A Holy Mother 24 Wife, Mother, and Widow: Visual Images of Theodora from Her Lifetime 26 Holy Mother: Posthumous Textual Images of Theodora 33 Conclusion 39 Notes 40 Bibliography 46 “Mother of Heroes, Most Beautiful of Mothers”: Mathilda of Flanders and Royal Motherhood in the Eleventh Century 50 Notes 68 Appendix I 72 Bibliography 74 Primary Sources 74 Secondary Sources 75 A Mother and Her Illustrious Offspring: The Role of Philippa of Lancaster, Queen of Portugal, in Her Children’s Education (1387–1415) 77 Philippa’s Education in England 80 Philippa’s Role as a Queen, a Wife, and a Mother 84 Philippa of Lancaster’s Offspring: An Anglo-­Norman or an Iberian Education? 87 Notes 89 Bibliography 93 Primary Sources 95 “Greatest in Her Offspring”: Motherhood and the Empress Matilda 97 Notes 107 Bibliography 110 Maternal Abandonment and Surrogate Caregivers: Isabella of Angoulême and Her Children by King John 112 Notes 125 Bibliography 132 Manuscript Sources 132 Printed Primary Sources 132 Secondary Sources 134 The Perils of Promotion: Maternal Ambition and Sacrifice in the Life of Joan of Navarre, Duchess of Brittany, and Queen of England 136 Fulfilling Maternal Expectations as Duchess of Brittany 137 Ambition or Sacrifice? Joan’s Decision to Leave Brittany for England 141 The Impact of Abandonment: Joan’s Children in England 145 Evaluating Joan as a Royal Stepmother 147 Conclusions: Evaluating Joan’s Maternal Career 151 Notes 153 Bibliography 157 Electronic Sources 159 Part II: The Legacy and Reputation of Royal Mothers-from Their Contemporaries to the Present Day 160 “Margaret R”: Lady Margaret Beaufort’s Self-fashioning and Female Ambition1 161 Motherhood 164 Ambition 169 Conclusions: Virtuous or Villainous? 175 Notes 176 Bibliography 181 Manuscripts 181 Printed Sources 181 Secondary 181 Playing the Catalan: The Rise of the Chess Queen; Queenship and Political Motherhood in Late Medieval Aragon and France 183 Enter the Queen 188 Exit the King 189 Violant of Bar: Queen (Mother)’s Gambit Declined 190 “Absent” the Kings 192 Yolande of Aragon: Queen’s Gambit Accepted 193 Concluding Remarks 196 Notes 197 Bibliography 204 Primary Sources 204 Secondary Sources 205 Outlander, Baby Killer, Poisoner? Rethinking Bona Sforza’s Black Legend 208 The Genesis 209 The Afterlife 219 Notes 222 Bibliography 228 Archival Sources 228 Other Sources 228 Secondary Literature 229 The Empress Matilda and Motherhood in Popular Fiction, 1970s to the Present 233 Notes 248 Bibliography 252 Index 254 This Collection Addresses Royal Motherhood Across Europe, From Both The Medieval And Early Modern Periods, Including (in)famous And Not-so-famous Royal Mothers. The Essays In This Collection Reveal The Complexities And The Subtleties Inherent In The Role Of Royal Mothers And Challenges These Traditional Stereotypes. The Volume Provides A Fresh Re-evaluation Of These Women, From Those Who Have Been Given An Almost Saintly Status To Those Who Struggled Against Contemporary Chronicles And Propaganda That Perpetuated The Stereotypes Associated With 'bad Mothers'- These Particular Images Of Saintliness And Wickedness Have Persisted Right Into The Modern Era. This Series Of Intriguing Case Studies Reveals How Royal Mothers Were Perceived By Their Contemporaries And Explores The Motivation For The Ways In Which They Are Depicted In Modern Popular Culture. Taken Together With The Companion Volume, Royal Mothers And Their Ruling Children, This Collection Sheds New Light On The Important And Challenging Role Of Mothers Within The Framework Of Monarchy And At The Epicenter Of Power.-- Machine Generated Contents Note: Pt. I Fashioning The Image Of The Good And Bad Royal Mother -- Empress Theodora: A Holy Mother / Kriszta Kotsis -- Mother Of Heroes, Most Beautiful Of Mothers: Mathilda Of Flanders And Royal Motherhood In The Eleventh Century / Laura L. Gathagan -- A Mother And Her Illustrious Offspring: The Role Of Philippa Of Lancaster, Queen Of Portugal, In Her Children's Education (1387 -- 1415) / Manuela Santos Silva -- Greatest In Her Offspring: Motherhood And The Empress Matilda / Charles Beem -- Maternal Abandonment And Surrogate Caregivers: Isabella Of Angouleme And Her Children By King John / Louise J. Wilkinson -- The Perils Of Promotion: Maternal Ambition And Sacrifice In The Life Of Joan Of Navarre, Duchess Of Brittany, And Queen Of England / Elena Woodacre -- Pt. Ii The Legacy And Reputation Of Royal Mothers-from Their Contemporaries To The Present Day -- Margaret R: Lady Margaret Beaufort's Self-fashioning And Female Ambition / Sally Fisher -- Playing The Catalan: The Rise Of The Chess Queen; Queenship And Political Motherhood In Late Medieval Aragon And France / Zita Rohr -- Outlander, Baby Killer, Poisoner? Rethinking Bona Sforza's Black Legend / Katarzyna Kosior -- The Empress Matilda And Motherhood In Popular Fiction, 1970s To The Present / Katherine Weikert. Carey Fleiner, Elena Woodacre, Editors. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "Acknowledgments"--"Contents"--"Contributors" -- "List of Figures" -- "Introduction" -- "Notes" -- "Part I: Fashioning the Image of the â#x80;#x9C;Goodâ#x80;#x9D; and â#x80;#x9C;Badâ#x80;#x9D; Royal Mother" -- "Empress Theodora: A Holy Mother" -- "Wife, Mother, and Widow: Visual Images of Theodora from Her Lifetime" -- "Holy Mother: Posthumous Textual Images of Theodora" -- "Conclusion" -- "Notes" -- "Bibliography" -- "â#x80;#x9C;Mother of Heroes, Most Beautiful of Mothersâ#x80;#x9D;: Mathilda of Flanders and Royal Motherhood in the Eleventh Century" -- "Notes" -- "Appendix I" -- "Bibliography" -- "Primary Sources" -- "Secondary Sources" -- "A Mother and Her Illustrious Offspring: The Role of Philippa of Lancaster, Queen of Portugal, in Her Childrenâ#x80;#x99;s Education (1387â#x80;#x93;1415)" -- "Philippaâ#x80;#x99;s Education in England" -- "Philippaâ#x80;#x99;s Role as a Queen, a Wife, and a Mother" -- "Philippa of Lancasterâ#x80;#x99;s Offspring: An Anglo-ÂƯNorman or an Iberian Education?" -- "Notes" -- "Bibliography" -- "Primary Sources" -- "â#x80;#x9C;Greatest in Her Offspringâ#x80;#x9D;: Motherhood and the Empress Matilda" -- "Notes" -- "Bibliography" -- "Maternal Abandonment and Surrogate Caregivers: Isabella of Angoulîme and Her Children by King John" -- "Notes" -- "Bibliography" -- "Manuscript Sources" -- "Printed Primary Sources" -- "Secondary Sources" -- "The Perils of Promotion: Maternal Ambition and Sacrifice in the Life of Joan of Navarre, Duchess of Brittany, and Queen of England" -- "Fulfilling Maternal Expectations as Duchess of Brittany" -- "Ambition or Sacrifice? Joanâ#x80;#x99;s Decision to Leave Brittany for England" -- "The Impact of Abandonment: Joanâ#x80;#x99;s Children in England" -- "Evaluating Joan as a Royal Stepmother" -- "Conclusions: Evaluating Joanâ#x80;#x99;s Maternal Career" -- "Notes" -- "Bibliography" -- "Electronic Sources." Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Introduction....Pages 1-8 Front Matter....Pages 9-9 Empress Theodora: A Holy Mother....Pages 11-36 “Mother of Heroes, Most Beautiful of Mothers”: Mathilda of Flanders and Royal Motherhood in the Eleventh Century....Pages 37-63 A Mother and Her Illustrious Offspring: The Role of Philippa of Lancaster, Queen of Portugal, in Her Children’s Education (1387–1415)....Pages 65-84 “Greatest in Her Offspring”: Motherhood and the Empress Matilda....Pages 85-99 Maternal Abandonment and Surrogate Caregivers: Isabella of Angoulême and Her Children by King John....Pages 101-124 The Perils of Promotion: Maternal Ambition and Sacrifice in the Life of Joan of Navarre, Duchess of Brittany, and Queen of England....Pages 125-148 Front Matter....Pages 149-149 “Margaret R”: Lady Margaret Beaufort’s Self-fashioning and Female Ambition....Pages 151-172 Playing the Catalan: The Rise of the Chess Queen; Queenship and Political Motherhood in Late Medieval Aragon and France....Pages 173-197 Outlander, Baby Killer, Poisoner? Rethinking Bona Sforza’s Black Legend....Pages 199-223 The Empress Matilda and Motherhood in Popular Fiction, 1970s to the Present....Pages 225-245 Back Matter....Pages 247-256