Elisabeth of Vermandois
| Elisabeth | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Countess of Vermandois | |
| Spouse(s) | Philip I, Count of Flanders |
| Noble family | Capetian House of Vermandois |
| Father | Ralph I, Count of Vermandois |
| Mother | Petronilla of Aquitaine |
| Born | 1143 |
| Died | 28 March 1183 Arras, France |
Not to be confused with Elizabeth of Vermandois, Countess of Leicester
Elisabeth of Vermandois also known as Isabelle Mabile or Isabelle de Vermandois (1143 – Arras 28 March 1183) was the eldest daughter of Ralph I, Count of Vermandois and his second wife Petronilla of Aquitaine. She reigned as Countess of Vermandois and was also Countess of Flanders by marriage.
Elisabeth was overall the second child of her father; she had an elder brother named Hugh who was their father's heir, from his first marriage to Eleonore of Blois therefore Elisabeth was second inline to inheriting the county. When Elisabeth was aged two, she was joined by a brother also named Ralph; this pushed Elisabeth back to third in line. Around three years later, Elisabeth gained a further sister, Eleonore.
Elisabeth's mother Petronilla was the sister of the much-celebrated Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen consort of both France and England in her lifetime, this made Elisabeth first cousin to both Richard I of England and John of England.
Ralph had divorced his first wife Eleonore, however his marriage to Petronilla had been viewed as illegitimate by Pope Innocent II, the marriage was later legitimized by Pope Celestine II however, the couple divorced in 1151 and Ralph remarried the following year to Laurette, daughter of Thierry, Count of Flanders.
On 14 October 1152, Elisabeth's father died and Hugh was made Count of Vermandois, therefore Elisabeth returned to second-in-line. In 1159, sixteen-year-old Elisabeth married Philip I, Count of Flanders. The following year, Elisabeth's brother Ralph married Philip's sister Margaret. In the same year, Hugh abdicated from his position as count to become a monk therefore, Ralph succeeded as count, Elisabeth was then promoted to first in line, her sister Eleonore in second.
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