Marie of France , Duchess of Brabant

     Marie of France , Duchess of Brabant was born in 1198.² She was the daughter of Philip II Augustus , King of France and Agnes of Merania. Marie's first betrothal, in 1200, was to Prince Alexander of Scotland (future King Alexander II); the pair were only two years of age. Alexander succeeded as King aged sixteen in 1214, his engagement to Marie having been broken off around 1202.² Marie of France , Duchess of Brabant was engaged in 1211; Marie's second betrothal, in 1211, was to Arthur I, Duke of Brittany, who was fighting against John for the Kingdom of England. Marie's father recognized Arthur's rights to many French lands but recognized John as the rightful King of England. Marie and Arthur were betrothed but never married due to Arthur's disappearance and supposed death, for which John was blamed.²

Marie of France , Duchess of Brabant married Philip I of Namur , Margrave of Namur in 1211. Their marriage was a diplomatic move by her father, Philip II, to gain control over Flanders and Hainault. When his father, Baldwin was captured at Adrianople, Philip was summoned to a meeting by Philip Augustus, King of France, at Pont de l'Arche. Philip was forced to swear fealty to the King of France and give Baldwin's daughters as wards of the King. Along with these exactions Philip was forced to marry Marie.²

Marie of France , Duchess of Brabant married Henry I the Courageous , Duke of Brabant, son of Godrey III , Duke of Brabant and of Lower Lorraine and Margaret von Limbourg, on 2 April 1213 at Soissons, Aisne, Hauts-de-France, France.¹ Marie of France , Duchess of Brabant died on 15 August 1224.² She was buried at Affligem Abbey, Affligem, Brabant, France, now Belgium.²