On 25 January 1328, at 13 years of age, Philippa of Hainault (which is in modern-day Belgium) married the 15-year-old King Edward III of England.

​

She played an important part in state affairs, regularly interceding on behalf of others, opening parliament when the king was away, negotiating her children’s marriages to their benefit and to further foreign policy.  Five of their seven sons survived infancy (which brought about the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century as their descendants fought over the English throne). Edward III’s sons remained loyal to him and it could be argued that Philippa was to a great extent responsible, raising their children herself and teaching them to respect and admire their father.

 

She died at Windsor Castle on 15 August 1369, aged 55. She was buried in Westminster Abbey, where her effigy can still be seen to this day. She has gone down in history as one of the best-loved queens of the age.