“ The first subject of dispute was the inheritance of the count of Provence, Raymond-Bérenger IV., father of Margaret and of Eleanor, wife of Henry III of England. Upon his death, in 1245, his youngest daughter, Beatrice, wife of Charles of Anjou, the king's uncle, succeeded to his lands, to the exclusion of her elder sisters, who claimed some portion of them for themselves. In 1281 war nearly broke out on this question. Margaret and her friends formed the league of Macon against Charles of Anjou, but the king managed to keep them at peace. ”

“ He had many of the virtues of St Louis, but neither decision of character nor devotion to duty. He was pious, charitable, of unimpeachable morality, quick-tempered but placable, no great scholar, and only energetic as a hunter. ”

“ But his fall was assured when Philip, who in 1271 lost his first wife. Isabella, daughter of James I., king of Aragon, married in 1274 Marie, daughter of Henry III., duke of Brabant. She was young and beautiful, and supplied a centre round which those who wished the downfall of the favourite grouped themselves In June 1278 he was charged with various crimes, including one of poisoning the king's eldest son, and hanged at Montfaucon. His death left the parties of Marie, the queen, and Margaret, the queen-mother, to struggle for the mastery. ”