Michael Packe in his book King Edward III gives us a delightful description of the king and queen's first meeting: "He spied on the unwitting sisters, and pounced on the youngest of them, Philippa by name', at the time eight years old and nearest in age to Edward, who was nearly seven years. He had then subjected her to a minute and terrifying scrutiny.
Apart from some criticism of her remaining baby teeth (they were 'not so white', he had found little fault with her solid physiognomy. Her hair betwixt blue-black and brown and not uncomely', her forehead large; her eyes blackish brown and deep, her nose though 'somewhat broad at the tip and also flattened', was 'yet no snub-nose'; her mouth was wide and generous, her ears and chin were 'comely enough', her mouth was wide and generous, she was of middle height for her age, well taught, and of 'fair carriage'.
'Her neck, shoulders, and all her body and lower limbs are reasonably well shaped; all her limbs are well set and untamed; and nought is amiss so far as a man may see.
King Edward III |
For Philippa it was a love match, even crying at the departure of the boy king after the arrival at her home.
Isabella quickly took advantage of the betrothal and hired an army of Hainulters 700 strong for her landing in England.
Phillipa and Edward were first married by proxy at her home in Valenciennes in 1327. She would be escorted to her new home in London by her uncle, Sir John of Hainault. On Sunday 24 January 1328 Edward and Phillipa were married in York Minister by Archbishop Melton. She would not be crowned Queen for two years until February 1330 at time 5 months pregnant with her first born, The Black Prince. Her postponed coronation is attributed to the refusal of Isabella who refused to relinquish her Crown. She would be a good wife to Edward, always sweet of temperament and Edward was supposedly very fond of his Douce Couer, as he would call her.
She was reputed not to be a great beauty as husband's mother, but very warm hearted and loyal. She would bear him 12 children and have a good relationship with her children.
King Edward III |
She would accompany him on his many expeditions one of them being Calais where she would stop Edward from executing the famous Burghers of Calais.
Their marriage would be a happy in on the whole, however, this would not stop of him from sharing his bed with other women, notably Alice Perrers, once one of Phillipa's lady in waiting. It is not known how Philippa felt at her husband's obvious indiscretions.
It is known that at her death she provided for her many ladies with the exception of Alice, who she probably resented for the affair with her husband. Philippa would die in August 1369 only accompanied by 2 of her children, Prince Edward and Thomas. Her death was deeply felt by all especially the King who lost a great and wise adviser. Bottom right: The Black Prince, one of the 12 children produced by Queen Philippa for King Edward III.
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