Philippa of Hainault

Philippa of Hainault (c. 1310–1369), daughter of William I, Count of Hainaut, and Joan of Valois, was engaged in 1326 to Edward, Prince of Wales, and married him at York Minster in January 1328, months after his accession.

As queen she turned Edward's attention to England's commercial expansion, accompanied him on campaign and served as regent in 1346, when she was present at the victory of Neville's Cross. In 1347 she persuaded him to spare the Burghers of Calais, a mercy that won her the affection of the English.

She died at Windsor Castle in August 1369 after a happy forty-year marriage and was buried in Westminster Abbey, where Edward was laid beside her eight years later. She left thirteen children, whose descendants' rivalry later brought on the Wars of the Roses.