This is the short life of Madeleine of Valois, which stands out not for its longevity or sweeping influence, but for its poignant brevity.
Born into the house of Valois in France, Madeleine’s destiny would weave with that of Scotland, earning her the evocative title of the Summer Queen, a moniker that established both her ephemeral reign and the fleeting warmth of her presence.
Madeleine was born on August 10, 1520 at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a palace in France. As the fifth child of Francis I of France and Claude, Duchess of Brittany, Madeleine was born into privilege and responsibility. So she would’ve been born right after the Field of the Cloth of Gold happened because that was in 1520 as well in the summer.
The legacy she inherited was rich. Her mother Claude, was the eldest daughter of Louis XII of France and Anne, Duchess of Brittany. However, from the very outset, Madeleine’s health cast a shadow over her royal lineage.
Described as frail from birth, her early years were spent in the temperate climbs of the Loire Valley, shielded from the biting cold of Paris, that her father feared might exacerbate her health issues. As a child, Madeleine, along with her sister Margaret, was entrusted to the care of their aunt Marguerite de Nevarre.
Their bond was cemented in these formative years, particularly after their father’s remarriage led them to the household of their new stepmother, Eleanor of Austria. But despite this protective cocoon, Madeleine’s health remained a concern.
By the time she celebrated her 16th birthday, she was grappling with tuberculosis –a daunting ailment for the time. The political landscape of 16th-century Europe, of course, was a tapestry of alliances sealed with marital ties.
Three years prior to Madeleine’s birth, the Franco-Scottish Treaty of Rouen had been inked reinforcing the Auld Alliance, a historic bond between France and Scotland. This treaty was designed to counterbalance the increasing influence of England, and it included a pivotal provision – a marriage between a French princess and the Scottish King in 1530.
The wheels of this diplomatic marriage were set in motion when John Stewart, Duke of Albany was tasked with finalizing a union between King James V of Scotland and Madeleine. However, Madeleine’s fragile health brought another name into consideration as well, Mary of Bourbon.
Little did anyone predict then how the Scottish king’s heart and diplomatic imperatives would intersect altering the course of Madeleine’s life. Despite concerns about her health and initially thinking that Mary of Bourbon would actually marry James, as they say, the heart wants what it wants.
James V of Scotland traveled to France in 1536, originally to meet Mary of Bourbon, but after he met Madeleine, he was instantly smitten. Her fragility did not deter him. Instead, he ardently sought her hand in marriage.
The thought of Madeleine’s relocation to Scotland’s colder climate, understandably alarmed her father, Francis I. He hesitated, apprehensive about the potential risk to her health. However, her evident interest in the Scottish king, combined with James V’s persistence finally swayed the French monarch and the marriage contract was signed on November 26th, 1536.
Their union was celebrated at Notre Dame in Paris on January 1st, 1537. Following their vows, there was a huge banquet at the Louvre palace reaffirming the amalgamation of the two royal houses. Francis even gave Madeleine a very generous dowry, a testament to the significance of this alliance.
In May 1537, following a series of festivities all through France, Madeleine and James set sail for Scotland. Their journey was eventful. They actually traded fish with an English fleet near Bamburgh, and as they reached Scottish shores, Madeleine’s Health was actually evidently declining at that point.
They landed in Leith on the 19th of May, 1537. Madeleine brought with her to Scotland, her entourage of French courtiers, an impressive assortment of possessions, a testament to her royal stature. She brought precious jewelry, opulent furniture, and her French legacy was evident in her new homeland. She even brought with her her ensemble of household staff. Including her former governess and secretary, ensuring a semblance of home in this foreign land.
Alas, the shadow that had hung over Madeleine’s life since birth soon cast its darkest. Merely a month after her arrival in Scotland, with a heart-wrenching letter to her father expressing optimism about her health, her journey was cut tragically short.
On July 7th, 1537, the summer Queen breathed her last, cradled in the arms of her heartbroken husband at Holyrood Palace. Even in death, Madeleine’s impact was palpable. Her funeral at Holyrood Abbey witnessed a sea of mourners draped in black, a testament to the profound loss that Scotland felt.
The grave where she laid beside James II would actually be desecrated centuries later, but legends persisted about her timeless beauty. Madeleine’s personal artifacts from her childhood treasures to her regal attire would be documented in later years, providing glimpses into her short-lived, yet impactful life.
When James V remarried, remnants of his life with Madeleine remained among the treasures at Edinburgh castle. Artifacts gifted to Madeleine during her childhood in France stood as silent witnesses to a love story that though brief was unforgettable. There we have it. A little bit about Madeleine of Valois.
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Heather Teysko is the creator, writer, and producer of The Renaissance English History Podcast,  one of the longest running indie history podcasts, going since 2009. She's been writing about history online for over 25 years, since her first site on Colonial American history became number one in history on Yahoo in 1998. She writes books, created the original Tudor Planner (a yearly diary filled with Tudor history) and in 2019 created the world's first Tudorcon (you can "attend" online this year!). She has been passionate about Tudor England since she first read Alison Weir's The Six Wives of Henry VIII 20 years ago, and subsequently moved to London after college to spend her time immersed in Tudor history.