Adele of Champagne
Royalty. She was the youngest daughter of Thibaut IV de Blois and Mathilde of Carinthia. She married Louis VII on November 13th, 1160 in Paris, five weeks after his second wife Constance de Castille had died. They both liked each other and she had some influence on him. Louis married his daughters, Marie and Alix, from his first marriage to her brothers, Henri and Thibaut. In 1165 she gave birth to the longed for successor, Philippe. Two girls, Alix and Agnes, were born in 1170 and 1171. Following tradition Philippe was crowned king when he was fourteen. At this time Louis was very ill and Adèle hoped to act as a regent for him if Louis died suddenly. Philippe surprised everyone and claimed the power for himself and choose a wife without his parents consent. Her husband died in 1180 and Philippe became king. During his absence on the crusade she reigned the kingdom following strict rules set by him. After his return to France she quietly retired. Following her last wish she was buried in Pontigny instead of St. Denis.