Linda Ganstrom

Bell(e): Isabeau

Porcelain stained and painted on welded steel skirt covered in tulle

Remarkable Woman of Influence



Isabeau of Bavaria or Isabelle or Elizabeth of Bavaria

French Queen Regent

Isabeau was born a German in 1370 and lived until 1435.  She married King Charles VI of France in 1385. In 1389, she was honored with a lavish coronation in Paris.  She loved jewels, beautiful fashion and coiled and braided hair arranged high on her head. She appreciated, collected and commissioned artworks.  In 1392, Charles suffered his first attack in what would be a long mental illness that earned him the name Charles the Mad.  When the king was ill, he allowed Isabeau to act as regent in his behalf, making her an unusually powerful medieval queen.  She was a wily political creature, but could not avoid the civil war left by the vacuum of power when her husband and then her son proved to be weak leaders.  Finally, she agreed to allow Henry V of England to marry her daughter Kathryn and become ruler of France and England.  Their child became Henry VI of England.  Isabeau is a controversial queen, her enemies vilify her, criticizing her low cut neckline, big hair and sexual connections while others praise her diplomacy and loyalty to her husband.  Her appearance is also in dispute as some claim she was short and dark, others that she was tall and blonde.