Europe 1 Studio SEASON 2021 - 202207:00 a.m., June 27, 2022

Listen to the story dedicated to Blanche de Castille, Queen of France in the 13th century, whom History considers the abusive mother par excellence.

With her real name Bianca, the Spaniard married the young Louis VIII at the age of twelve and thus acceded to the throne of France at his side.

Blanche de Castille may be a foreigner and do not know anyone at Court, but her strength of character quickly gave her the reputation of a woman who does not allow herself to be stepped on so easily... But what does this image of an insensitive power-hungry queen?

In this first part of the episode produced by Europe 1 Studio, Clémentine Portier-Kaltenbach recounts her reign until the marriage of her son Louis IX in 1226.

In this new episode of the "At the heart of History" podcast, Clémentine Portier-Kaltenbach paints the portrait of Blanche de Castille, queen of France in the 13th century.

After only three years of reign, Blanche de Castille lost her husband and her eldest son, the heir to the Crown.

She finds herself left to her own devices in this kingdom where she, the Spaniard, has no relatives, no friends, with young Louis in her charge, who will soon have to learn to be king.

Faced with the barons who claim that she is deliberately delaying her son's marriage to stay in power, she arranges a union with Marguerite de Provence.

There is now not one, but two queens at Court... This story is a Europe 1 Studio production.

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"At the heart of history" is a Europe 1 Studio podcast

Writing and presentation: Clémentine Portier-Kaltenbach

Production: Europe 1 Studio

Directed by: Christophe Daviaud

Broadcaster: Eloise Bertil

Graphics: Sidonie Mangin