Constancy of Arles

Constancy of Arles (986- † July 1032), girl of Guillaume Ier (c.950- † 993) count of Arles, and Adelaide of Anjou († 1026), is Reine of France by her marriage with Robert II.

Biography

In 1003, Constance becomes queen of France by marrying the king Robert II the Piles after this last was constrained to separate from Berthe of Burgundy. Indeed, the king of France lived in cohabitation with Berthe of Burgundy since he had repudiated in 996 his first wife Rozala of Italy. The pope had declared this union illegal, and had excommunicated the two lovers. Moreover, as Berthe of Burgundy cannot give him of child, Robert thus marries Constance of Arles.

However, Constance is foreign at Capétiens and its manners, its entourage and its control irritate much of it. She is liked little at the court because of her intrigues and her cruelty - she would have plugged itself her marked confessor of heresy -, and Robert on several occasions tries to repudiate it to take again Berthe of Burgundy like wife - not having never ceased liking it nor to see it. So the court is divided soon into two: on a side for Constancy, other for Berthe.

Constancy gives nevertheless children to the king, of which the future Henri Ier, and Robert. She prefers Robert and wants that he reigns, but her husband chooses Henri to succeed to him. To died from the king, it goes as far as trying to kill Henri, but the attempt fails and he goes up on the throne. Robert becomes as for him Duc of Burgundy.

Moved away from the Court, Constance dies out with the castle of Melun, the 22 or July 25th 1032.

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