Alys, Countess of the Vexin

Alys, Countess of the Vexin (October 4, 1160-c.1220) was the daughter of King Louis VII of France and his second wife Constanza of Castile, daughter of Alfonso VII of Castile and Berenguela of Barcelona. Her mother died giving birth to her. Also known as Alaïs, Adélaïde, Adèle, or Alix (but not to be confused with her half-sister Alix of France, the daughter of Louis by his first wife Eleanor of Aquitaine).

Related Topics:
October 4 - 1160 - 1220 - Louis VII of France - Alfonso VII of Castile - Alix of France - Eleanor of Aquitaine

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Alys was a younger half-sister to Marie de Champagne and Alix of France. She was a younger sister to Marguerite of France. She was also an older half-sister to Philip II of France and Agnes of France.

Related Topics:
Marie de Champagne - Alix of France - Marguerite of France - Philip II of France - Agnes of France

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As a child she was betrothed to Prince Richard of England and sent to England. There were unsubstantiated rumours at the time that she had a child by her prospective father-in-law Henry II of England. It was said of Alys that "except for her looks, the tales were none too good."

Related Topics:
Prince Richard of England - England - Henry II of England

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When King Henry died on July 6, 1189, her long-time fiance, Richard, succeeded to the throne but terminated their engagement in Messina in March 1190, on the grounds that she had borne a child by his father. She was sent back to France in 1195.

Related Topics:
July 6 - 1189 - Messina - 1190 - 1195

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Her brother, King Philip II of France, had offered her to Richard's younger brother Prince John in 1192, but Queen Mother Eleanor of Aquitaine put a stop to that. Instead Alys was married on August 20, 1195 to William III Talvas, Count of Ponthieu, and they had three daughters: Jean (born dead), Marie, Countess of Ponthieu, and Isabelle. Alys was still alive on July 28, 1218.

Related Topics:
Philip II of France - Prince John - 1192 - Queen Mother - August 20 - 1195 - William III Talvas - Marie, Countess of Ponthieu - July 28 - 1218

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~