A Pearl of Great Price (c. 1279 – 1318)
Margaret was the half-sister of Philip the Fair. Married Edward I as part of Paris Treaty. Marriage was September 8, 1299. She was his second choice, he wanted to marry Blanche but Blanche wanted to marry the Duke of Austria. Marguerite loved Edward very much, despite him being many years her senior (at least 40 years older). She had 2 sonsThomas and Edmund (named after the King’s brother, who had arranged the marriage). The next year she had a baby girl named Eleanor after the King’s beloved first wife (4 May 1306 – August 1311). She was “somewhat frail”, attractive, and a very sweet woman. It was because of her that Edward I, cantankerous in his old age, pardoned so many people. The Rolls often say “We pardon him solely at the request of our dearest consort”. When Edward died she wrote “When Edward died, all men died for me”.
She and her stepson, who was only two years younger than she, also became fond of each other: he once made her a gift of an expensive ruby and gold ring, and she on one occasion rescued many of the prince’s friends from the wrath of the king. Her children by Edward I:
Thomas of Brotherton, 1st Earl of Norfolk (1 June 1300 – 4 August 1338), buried in Bury St Edmunds Abbey. Married (1) Alice Hales, with issue; (2) Mary Brewes, no issue.
Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent (5 August 1301 – 19 March 1330), married Margaret Wake, 3rd Baroness Wake of Liddell, with issue.
Eleanor (4 May 1306 – August 1311).