Margaret de’ Reims

Margaret de’ Reims (23 June 1396-15 October 1425), was Queen of Auwyland from 1421 until her death as King Henry IV’s first wife. She was from a noble family in Lefanlia, daughter of James I de’ Reims, the third Duke of Jiran, and his wife Anne Maria of Losland. From a rich family, her marriage to Henry IV was a result of Auwyland repaying to Reims family before which Auwyland had taken out a loan from the Reims as the cost of the War of the Losland Throne during 1375 to 1402. She became the crown princess then queen with her husband’s ascension. She lived under the kings’ mistresses’ power in Auwish court and never got her power as princess and queen.

Early life
Margaret de’ Reims was born on 23 June 1396 in Nanta, the capital city of Jiran Duchy in Lefanlia. Her name “Margaret” was to memorize her paternal grandmother Margaret Louise de Valas. Her father James I de’ Reims was the 3rd Duke of Jiran, and her mother Anne Maria of Losland was the 4th daughter of King Philip III and Queen Branch Cadigas of Losland. Isabel de’ Reims, a 13th century Queen of Losland, wife of King Arthur I, was an ancestor of her through her paternal line, who mothered Anne de’ Mesarol, while Anne was an ancestor of the Hammiley dynasty. Thus Margaret was a distant relative of her husband Henry IV. With 3 brothers and a sister, she was the fourth child of her parents. Her eldest brother James II de’ Reims would be the 4th Duke of Jiran. Her sister, Eleanor de’ Reims, became the regent of Lefanlia later with her husband.

She was raised in Lefanlian court, where she learned French, Latin, and German. She even could speak Spanish and Italian a little. Her teacher Lady Fortes said she was a clever girl, who could learn a thing in the shortest time. At that time, because of the War of Losland Throne, her mother, Anne Maria as Princess of Losland was worried all day; worse thing, Anne’s husband James I even lent money to Auwyland to support it in this war, by which Anne Maria was frustrated to ill. Margaret lost her mother when she was 3, in 1399. Before her death, Anne Maria imposed James I to promise he would seek for good marriages to their daughters. In 1402, Margaret returned to Jiran. James I appointed his second wife Frances de’ Gauge as his two daughters’ guardian. With her stepmother, Margaret learned to play the harp. Margaret stayed in Jiran until her wedding.

Marriage
In 1402, the War of Losland Throne ended. Auwyland didn’t get any benefit in this war, however, it owed a great debt. Having no ability to repay, Auwyland started to find other ways to solve this problem. King Henry III was suggested to broker a marriage between his sons and James I’s daughters, as James I was one of his richest creditors; if James I’s daughters could be brides of Auwyland, Auwyland could not only offset the debt of James I, but use James I’s money to repay the rest of debt. Henry III agreed this, and sent Lord Thomas Charles and Edward Harris, Earl of Bikin to negotiate with James I, to make James I’s first daughter Margaret marry his second son Henry (later Henry IV). James I soon agreed Auwyland’s suggestion after a period of time. He realized it’s a good chance to ingratiate Auwyland, to strengthen Jiran, and it may became a kingdom with Auwyland’s help. On 9 August 1403, Margaret engaged with Prince Henry of Auwyland, when Margaret was 7, Henry IV 9. On 25 April 1411, Margaret left Jiran for Enthiusdien. She was welcomed by King Henry III, Queen Louisa of Canary, the king’s mistress Sophie d’ Agnes, and many royal members with nobles. The marriage between Margaret and Henry was held 6 days later in St. German Palace, and then Margaret was granted Duchess of Himinway by marriage with her husband’s title of Duke of Himinway. She had 3 sons and 4 daughters in this marriage, but just a daughter grew up, Anne of Auwyland, later an advisor of her father and brother.

Crown princess
In 1415, Henry IV’s elder brother, Crown Prince Edward died. Henry IV was conferred the crown prince later, with his title of Prince of Organizen, while Margaret became the crown princess and Princess of Organizen. The situation Margaret faced soon changed. As the crown princess, she was no longer at the edge of the court; instead, she’d be Queen one day, so she began to be surrounded by a group of nobles. She had some trusted friends and followers, among whom Countess Noieres was her best friend. She also began to have some conflicts with Queen Louisa and the king’s official mistress Sophie de Agnes. Margaret once threaten Sophie that she would execute Sophie when she became the queen. King Henry III was frustrated by Margaret’s threat. He warned Margaret to stay peace and quiet, or he would annull her marriage. Henry IV didn’t care about Margaret’s feeling. From 1417, he had mistresses. In 1420, he met Mary Solleia, and installed her as his official mistress. Although Mary Solleia was always humble when she faced Margaret, and hated Sophie d’ Agnes just as her, Margaret wouldn’t be willing to be kind and friendly to Mary Solleia. Margaret forbade Mary Solleia from walking alongside Henry IV. Nevertheless, Henry IV neglected her and asked Mary Solleia to walk with him almost every time. Margaret ever complained it to Queen Louisa; Louisa replied, “Woman will get titles from husband, not love.”

Queen of Auwyland
Margaret became Queen of Auwyland on 27 February 1421 with Henry IV’s accession, and was officially crowned on 14 May. She never get power and the king’s favor, but her relationship with Mary Solleia began to thaw. They cooperated to take revenge on Sophie de Agnes, who was kicked out of the court and confiscated all jewelry and wealth that Henry III had sent to her. Margaret often held banquets in the court, and invited many foreign ministers. She was increasingly popular, even the king admired her more than before. She kept happy all day, enjoying her life as one of the richest women in Auwyland. When she was told that she got cancer in 1422, she started her travel through Auwyland with Henry IV’s permission. She went to every important city in Auwyland, together with her friends including Countess Noieres. Finally, she purchased a manor in the countryside at Barbarenza, and lived there, therefore this manor was named “Queen’s Manor”. She passed away on 15 October 1425 at Barbarenza, at the age of 29. The king was upset knowing his wife’s death. Margaret was entombed in St. German Church on 24 November. Her inheritance was passed on to her only survived daughter, Anne of Auwyland.

Character
Margaret de’ Reims showed different characters in her different stages of life. When she was a little girl, she was clever and optimistic, who could learned a thing with a fast speed, and often laughed. All of her tutors and relatives gave her positive evaluations. Lady Fortes, one of her tutors, said that Margaret was the smartest student that she ever taught. Margaret’s father recognized her a "life enjoyer". She turned to frustrated after she married Henry IV. One reason, she was not loved by her husband, which may be not fit her imagination of her life; the other, she needed to face many sophisticated situations, but no one could help her. When she had conflicts with Sophie de Agnes, King Henry III, her father-in-law, warned her, but not to comfort her. Her husband was also not a reliable partner either. Depressed, she frequently turned angry. She became optimistic again as Queen. Maybe because she elevated to the first lady, and she could get along well with Mary Solleia, her husband’s mistress, her situation changed to be better. She played a role of banquet host in the court, enjoying the life again.

Issue
She had 3 sons and 4 daughters with Henry IV, but only a daughter survived.



1. Henry, born on 4 March 1412, died the same day.

2. Mary, born on 16 August 1414, died 10 days later.

3. Margaret, born on 17 January 1416, died the same day.

4. Anne of Auwyland, Queen of Caliland, born on 24 July 1417, died on 21 July 1486.

5. Henry, born on 15 September 1418, died the same day.

6. Catherine, born on 5 February 1420, died 2 days later.

7. Richard, born on 30 August 1422, died on 19 June 1425.