Blanche of Castile, Queen and Regent of France, 1188-1252

Blanca de Castilla was a Spanish princess who became the most powerful human being in France as Regent and Queen, from 1226 to 1252. From Elie Berger's, "Histoire de Blanche de Castille, Reine de France" (Paris, 1895), there can be no question that Blanche ruled France during a critical period of Capetian expansion, even imperialism. Berger's biography remains the best scholarly treatment of the manuscript sources, which include the "Tresor des Chartes"; manuscripts from provincial archives, Bibliotheque nationale, and Public Record Office (London); "Annales monastici," the "Chronica majora" by Mathieu de Paris; the "Monumenta Germaniae," and especially the "Recueil des historiens de France," "comptes royaux," and collections of the "Recueil des historiens de France"

Elie Berger (1850-1925) was a doctor of letters, member of the Ecole francaise de Rome, archivist in the Archives Nationales, professor of paleography in the Ecole des chartes, and conservator in the Musee Conde. At various times Berger was a member of the Academie des inscriptions et belles-lettres, and the Comite des travaux historiques et scientifiques, President of the Societe de l'Ecole des chartes, and President of the Societe de l'histoire de France.

This edition of "Blanche of Castile, Queen and Regent of France, 1188-1252" is the best English translation of this greatest monograph on the Spanish-born monarch who changed the course of French history.

Translated by Dr. Frank H. Wallis"