Queen Blanche of Schwartsvald

**Queen Blanche of Schwartsvald** (6 March 1536 - 14 December 1612), culturally known as **Queen Snow White** was a ruler of Schwartsvald and Bavaria in the sixteenth and seventeenth century. She is well-remembered by historians for fighting for her throne from the tender age of fourteen and gaining it after the defeat of her step-mother in a civil war. She ruled Schwartsvald-Bavaria from 1550 to 1591.

## Biography

### Childhood (1536-1545)

Though born in Spring, it was reported that there was still snow around the castle at the time of Blanche's birth. Her birth was a difficult one, that took three days. Her mother, Queen Margaret, died from complications during the birth, which ended in a caesarean section. King Ferdinand went into court mourning, which lasted until the King's remarriage, to his mistress, in 1542.

Being the King's only child, Blanche was educated in politics and battle strategy, as well as French, Italian and German and courtly practices. When the King remarried to the noblewoman Grimhilde, she took a great interest in her stepdaughter's education. Despite their future warfare, a six-year-old Blanche was quite smitten with her new stepmother. They danced together at the wedding, and it is rumoured that it was Grimhilde who first gave Blanche the nickname "Snow White" ("*Schneewittchen*"), based on her pale skin.

In 1545, King Ferdinand sat out to battle the Scots overseas. He died in a short battle and his army faced defeat. Only a dozen men returned home, to Blanche's ninth birthday party, where she was declared Queen. For the rest of her life, Queen Blanche would not celebrate her birthday as it was the anniversary of both her parents' deaths.

### Regency (1545-1549)

Queen Grimhilde had been appointed as regent during the King's absence, but no regent had been settled on for Queen Blanche. Grimhilde took the role, which was an onpopular choice. It angered many neighbouring kingdoms, most notably King Herbert of Bavaria. From 1546, Blanche (now ten) wanted to rule herself and conspired with several generals. She was allegedly mistreated by servants on her stepmother's orders. Her stepmother locked her up in the castle and went through all her mail. Even so, Blanche was able to agree to a wedding contract with Prince Florian of Bavaria, Herbert's son.

Eager to end the war, in 1549, Grimhilde sent out a marriage proposal to Prince Florian of Bavaria, only to hear from Prince Herbert that he was already engaged to Blanche. Knowing her rule and life would end if Blanche would reign, Grimhilde decided to plot the murder of Blanche.

### Attempted murder and civil war (1549)

In a now famous story, Grimhilde sent out a huntsman with Blanche to the forest to kill her. Blanche convinced the huntsman to join her cause and let her go. He was executed shortly after. Blanche fled into the Dark forests of Schwartsvald and ran through the woods for days until she was able to reach the stronghold of her father's seven generals.

From there, word got out to King Herbert of Bavaria. He sent his army out, led by his son Florian, and they joined Blanche and conquered Schwartsvald's villages until they reached Grimhilde's castle. She surrendered and was executed at Florian and Blanche's wedding.

### Rule and marriage

Florian and Blanche were coronated three months after their wedding, in February 1551. Bavaria and Schwartsvald were united under them, and came together as harmoniously as the couple themselves. At 18 and 14, they were the youngest crowned monarchs to date. On their tenth wedding anniversary, aged 24, Blanche finally birthed a male heir to the throne, named Ferdinand after her father. She had four children in total.

* Princess Maria Madeline Fitzherbert (24 February 1555- 2 August 1610), later Queen of Corona. The only child Blanche outlived.
* Princess Hildegard Fitzherbert (10 May 1557 - 18 January 1614), later Queen of France.
* King Ferdinand Fitzherbert II (11 November 1560 - 18 April 1633), succeeded his parents as ruler of Schwartsvald.
* Prince Christian Fitzherbert (16 October 1564 - 31 December 1631), the only non-sovereign out of the four. He became the first Lord Aren and his descendants became Kings of Arendelle.

Blanche personally instructed her children in history and rulership.

## International politics

Queen Blanche had an excellent marrital system that benefited Schwartsvald politically. She was able to neutralise England by accepting Elizabeth I as sovereign, and marrying her heir off to Elizabeth's cousin. She kept peace with Corona and France by marrying off her daughters to their heirs. On her behalf, her husband King Florian fought two wars in Italy, in 1558 and 1571, taking his eldest son with him the second time.

At her command, her armies conquered the northern Aren region and she gave it to her son Christian to rule. His son married a daughter of the French settlers there and pacified the community.

## Later years

In September 1591, King Florian died. As their wedding contract stated, she ceased being Queen of Schwartsvald-Bavaria and was succeeded by her son Ferdinand and his wife Sancha. She would remain her son's primary advisor for her remaining twenty-one years. Blanche also helped to educate her ten grandchildren. In 1600, she was an honoured guest at her granddaughter's wedding to King Peter of Glowerhaven I.

In 1610, Blanche's eldest daughter died aged 55. She was mourned greatly by both the Schwartsvald and Corona kingdom. Blanche took the loss to heart and remained confined to her castle for the last two years of her life.