Alys of France, Countess of Vexin

Alys of France, Countess of Vexin (4 October 1160 – c. 1218–1220), known in English as "Alice", was a French princess, initially betrothed to Richard I of England. Her engagement was broken in 1190, through negotiations between Richard and her half-brother Philip Augustus of France. Philip then attempted to betroth her to Richard's brother John but this betrothal was rejected. Alys married William IV, Count of Ponthieu, on 20 August 1195. She died between 1218 and 1220.

Born 4 October 1160,^[1] Alys was the daughter of Louis VII, King of France and his second wife, Constance of Castile.^[2] She was the half-sister of Marie and Alix of France, Louis's children by Eleanor of Aquitaine, and the younger sister of Margaret of France. Just five weeks after Constance died giving birth to Alys, Louis married Adèle of Champagne, by whom he had two further children, including the future King Philip II of France.

In January 1169, Alys was contracted, by Louis and King Henry II of England, for marriage to Henry's son Richard the Lionheart.^[3] The 8-year-old Alys was then sent, with no dowry,^[3] to England as Henry's ward.

In 1177, Cardinal Peter of Saint Chrysogonus, on behalf of Pope Alexander III, threatened to place England's continental possessions under an interdict if Henry did not proceed with the marriage.^[4] There were widespread rumors that Henry had not only made Alys his mistress, but that she had a child with him.^[5] Henry died in 1189, and Richard, ascended the English throne. Richard broke off Alys' betrothal in 1190, during personal talks with her brother the French king, Philip Augustus, on their way towards the Holy Land during the Third Crusade.^[6] Richard made financial restitutions and married Berengaria of Navarre on 12 May 1191.^[6]

Philip had offered Alys to Prince John, but Eleanor prevented the match.^[7] Alys married William IV Talvas, Count of Ponthieu, on 20 August 1195.^[8] They had a daughter, Marie, Countess of Ponthieu.^[9] Alys died between 1218 and 1220.^[10]

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• Hosler, John D. (2007). Henry II: A Medieval Soldier at War, 1147-1189. Brill.
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