Joan II, queen of Navarre (d. 1349)

Joan II (Jeanne), born on 28 January 1312 and passing on 6 October 1349, held the prestigious title of Queen of Navarre from 1328 until her demise. Her reign marked a significant period for the Kingdom of Navarre, distinguishing its unique succession customs from those of its powerful neighbour, France.

Joan was the sole surviving child of Louis X of France, who was concurrently King of France and King of Navarre, and his first wife, Margaret of Burgundy. However, Joan's claim to the throne was clouded by a significant scandal that cast doubt on her legitimacy. Her mother, Margaret, was implicated in the infamous Tour de Nesle affair in 1314, a scandal that exposed alleged extramarital affairs involving the wives of King Philip IV's three sons. While the scandal led to Margaret's imprisonment and eventual death, it raised serious questions about Joan's paternity. Despite this, her father, Louis X, officially declared her his legitimate daughter before his own death in 1316, a crucial act intended to secure her future dynastically.

Following Louis X's death, the succession to the French throne faced an unprecedented challenge. The French nobility, strongly influenced by the emerging principle that women could not inherit the crown (a practice that would later be formalized as Salic Law), opposed the idea of a female monarch. Consequently, they elected Louis X's younger brother, Philip V, as King of France. Although the Navarrese noblemen initially paid homage to Philip V, indicating a perceived connection between the two crowns, their loyalty was not as deeply entrenched as that of the French lords.

Joan's maternal grandmother, Agnes of France, Duchess of Burgundy, and her uncle, Odo IV of Burgundy, vigorously championed Joan's claims. Their primary objective was to secure for Joan the lucrative and strategically important counties of Champagne and Brie. These territories were not merely land; they constituted a rich patrimony that had belonged to Joan's paternal grandmother, Joan I of Navarre, who had brought them into the French royal domain through her marriage to Philip IV. Despite the efforts of Joan's supporters, including armed interventions, their attempts were ultimately thwarted by the superior forces of the French royal troops, who were keen to maintain these valuable territories under direct royal control.

A political compromise was eventually reached to resolve the ongoing disputes over Champagne and Brie. In a shrewd move to consolidate his power and neutralize potential threats, King Philip V arranged for his daughter to marry Odo IV of Burgundy. As part of her dowry, Odo was granted two significant counties. In return, in March 1318, Odo formally renounced Joan's claims to Champagne and Brie, effectively extinguishing her most direct territorial inheritance from her grandmother, in exchange for this compensation. This agreement significantly weakened Joan's position in France. Around this period, Joan herself entered into a politically advantageous marriage with Philip of Évreux, a distant cousin and also a member of a collateral branch of the French royal family (the House of Capet), which would later establish the House of Évreux-Navarre.

Path to the Navarrese Throne

Upon Philip V's death in 1322, his brother, Charles IV, succeeded him as King of both France and Navarre. However, a significant number of Navarrese lords, valuing their kingdom's distinct identity and traditional laws, refused to swear loyalty to Charles IV. This refusal highlighted a growing desire within Navarre to assert its independence from the French crown and revert to its own customs of succession, which did not exclude women. They viewed Joan, as the direct descendant of Louis X, as the rightful heir according to their own traditions.

The turning point arrived with the death of Charles IV in 1328, which marked the end of the direct line of the Capetian dynasty in France. The Navarrese nobility seized this opportunity. Demonstrating their autonomy, they expelled the French governor who had administered Navarre and boldly declared Joan their legitimate and rightful monarch. In France, a new dynasty emerged with the coronation of Philip VI of Valois, marking the beginning of the House of Valois. Philip VI, seeking stability and legitimate rule, concluded a pivotal agreement with Joan and her husband, Philip of Évreux. In this arrangement, Joan and Philip formally renounced any remaining claims to Champagne and Brie, solidifying their permanent integration into the French royal domain. In exchange, the couple received three substantial counties in France: Longueville, Mortain, and Angoulême. Crucially, Philip VI formally acknowledged their rightful claim to the Kingdom of Navarre, cementing Joan's unique position as an independent queen.

On 5 March 1329, Joan and her husband, Philip of Évreux, were jointly crowned in a magnificent ceremony at Pamplona Cathedral. This joint coronation was highly symbolic, not only affirming Joan's rightful place as Queen but also establishing Philip as co-ruler, emphasizing their shared authority over the kingdom.

The Joint Reign and Administration

The royal couple maintained a close and cooperative relationship throughout their joint reign. While both were actively involved in the governance of Navarre, historical accounts suggest that Philip of Évreux was often more active in the day-to-day administration and military affairs. He frequently led troops, managed finances, and oversaw judicial matters, demonstrating a hands-on approach to his role as co-monarch.

Despite their shared responsibilities, Joan and Philip largely resided in their French domains rather than in Navarre itself. Their presence was often required closer to the French court and their other familial territories. Consequently, the Kingdom of Navarre was primarily administered by a series of appointed governors during their extended absences. While this arrangement allowed the monarchs to manage their broader European interests, it also meant that Navarre often functioned with a degree of self-governance, albeit under royal oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions About Joan II of Navarre

Who was Joan II of Navarre?
Joan II was the Queen of Navarre from 1328 until her death in 1349. She was the only surviving child of King Louis X of France and Navarre, and Margaret of Burgundy. Her reign marked the establishment of the House of Évreux in Navarre.
Why was Joan II's paternity considered dubious?
Her paternity was questioned due to her mother, Margaret of Burgundy, being implicated in the notorious Tour de Nesle affair in 1314, a scandal involving alleged infidelity. Although her father, Louis X, declared her legitimate before his death, the controversy fueled opposition to her succession in France.
Why was Joan II initially denied the throne of France?
The French nobility, influenced by the emerging principle of male-only succession (later known as Salic Law), largely opposed a female monarch. This led them to bypass Joan in favor of her uncles, Philip V and Charles IV, for the French crown.
How did Joan II become Queen of Navarre?
After the death of Charles IV in 1328, which ended the direct Capetian line in France, the Navarrese nobility asserted their independence. They recognized Joan as the rightful heir based on their own succession customs, which did not exclude women, and declared her Queen. Her claim was later acknowledged by the new French King, Philip VI of Valois, in an agreement.
What was the significance of the counties of Champagne and Brie in Joan's life?
Champagne and Brie were wealthy and strategically important territories that had been the patrimony of Joan's paternal grandmother, Joan I of Navarre. Joan's relatives made significant efforts to secure these counties for her, but she eventually had to renounce her claims in exchange for other territories and French recognition of her right to Navarre.
Who was Philip of Évreux, and what was his role?
Philip of Évreux was Joan II's husband and a member of a collateral branch of the French royal family. He became co-ruler of Navarre with Joan. While they cooperated closely, Philip was often more active in the kingdom's administration and military affairs, especially given their frequent residence in their French domains.