Isabella de Fortibus

1237-1293 Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight

As one of the greatest heiresses of 13th century England, Isabella de Fortibus had more freedom than most Medieval women to forge her own path. But her vast estates (and widowhood from the age of just 23) meant she was perpetually harassed by a string of men, including cash-strapped kings.

Isabella, the eldest daughter of Baldwin de Redvers, Earl of Devon, was betrothed to William de Fortibus, Earl of Aumale aged 11 or 12. He died in 1260 and two years later Isabella’s brother died childless, meaning she inherited the family estates. Among her lands was the lordship of the Isle of Wight and Carisbrooke Castle became her main residence. But unmarried life wasn’t without its battles. In 1264 the younger Simon de Montfort secured the king’s agreement to marry Isabella and she was forced to seek refuge when he attempted to abduct her; while a failed attempt by Henry III to wed her to his son Edmund led to Edmund marrying Isabella’s daughter Aveline, 10, instead.

Isabella outlived her six children and her heir Aveline died in 1274, meaning the Crown lost its key to controlling her estates in the future. New king Edward I – Henry III’S son – changed tack and acquired Isabella’s northern lands by supporting a bogus claimant to the Aumale earldom and then buying him out. However, Isabella defied the king’s efforts to claim the Isle of Wight and in 1281 triumphed when he challenged her control of the island in court. But Isabella couldn’t defy age, and as she lay dying in November 1293 she was read a charter confirming the sale of the Isle of Wight and her other lands to the king. Isabella’s influence on Carisbrooke Castle – including the building or rebuilding of its Great Hall – can still be seen and felt today.