Adelicia of Louvain (c. 1102–1151)

Queen of England and patron of literature. Name variations: Adeliza; Adelaide; Adela, Fair Maid of Brabant. Born in 1102 or 1103 in Louvain, France; died on March 23, 1151, in Afflighem, Flanders, Belgium; daughter of Count Godfrey (Barbatus) of Louvain, duke of Brabant or Lower Lotharingia; became second wife of Henry I (c. 1068 or 1069–1135), king of England (r. 1100–1135), on January 24, 1121; married William d'Aubigny also known as William de Albini, later named earl of Arundel, in 1138; children: (first marriage) none; (second marriage) seven who survived, including Reyner d'Aubigny, Henry d'Aubigny, Godfrey d'Aubigny, Alice d'Aubigny, Olivia d'Aubigny, and Agatha d'Aubigny .

Adelicia of Louvain was born into a ruling noble family of the Low Countries (modern Belgium and Flanders) and received an excellent education, showing a great interest in language and literature. After the death of Queen Matilda of Scotland , the 18-year-old Adelicia married the bereaved ruling monarch of England, Henry I, as part of a political and economic agreement between her father and the king. In her position as queen, Adelicia was able to pursue her literary interests more fully, for she now had the money and authority to commission works and reward their writers amply. She became known as a generous patron, especially of the French troubadours.

Aubigny, Agatha d'

Daughter of William d'Aubigny, earl of Arundel, and Adelicia of Louvain (second wife of King Henry I of England); sister of Alice and Olivia d'Aubigny .

In 1135 on Henry's death, Adelicia lost her position and authority when Stephen, son of her sister-in-law Adela of Blois , claimed the throne of England, though Stephen would have to fight a civil war for many years against Adelicia's stepdaughter Empress Matilda of England (1102–1167). Three years later, Adelicia married England's William d'Aubigny, who was later was named earl of Arundel. After 11 years of a reputedly happy marriage, Adelicia withdrew to a convent in Flanders. In Queens of England, Norah Lofts suggests that the conflict between her stepdaughter and nephew was the probable cause. Adelicia died in 1151 about age 48.

Laura York , Anza, California