# Queen Philippa — Chivalry character guide

> Queen Philippa in Chivalry by James Branch Cabell.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** plump Queen Philippa, Philippa

**First appearance:** 0004-i-the-story-of-the-sestina

## Snapshot

The plump, shrewd queen who holds England together while her husband overruns France, and who will not recall him even to save the kingdom.

## Who they are

With King David's Scots ravaging the north and the island defenceless, Philippa faces lords shouting for a ship to entreat Sire Edward's return, and answers them with the flat question of who commands here. She knows her husband has always had a fancy to conquer France, and she will not vex him with disappointment even at the cost of being butchered, choosing instead to let John Copeland's lute and her own nerve steady the room. Her stubborn, unthrifty love, set against Catherine de Salisbury's cool self-interest, drives the tale's central examination of what a queen's affection costs a nation.

## Relationships

### [Osmund Heleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/osmund_heleigh)

_professional_

Osmund Heleigh serves as Queen Philippa's trusted advisor and steward, handling her affairs with competence and loyalty.

### [Edward Maudelain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/edward_maudelain)

_friendship_

Edward Maudelain is a close confidant and friend to Queen Philippa, offering her counsel and emotional support in court intrigues.

### [John Copeland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/john_copeland)

_professional_

John Copeland holds a formal but respectful professional relationship with Queen Philippa, often acting as her military liaison.

### [Rosamund Eastney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/rosamund_eastney)

_friendship_

Queen Philippa treats Rosamund Eastney as a beloved lady-in-waiting and confidante, sharing secrets and personal concerns.

### [Marquess of Hastings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/marquess_of_hastings)

_social_

The Marquess of Hastings is a courtier who maintains a polite but distant social relationship with Queen Philippa, attending formal events.

### [Osmund Heleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/osmund_heleigh)

_professional_

Osmund Heleigh serves as Queen Philippa's trusted advisor and steward, handling her affairs with competence and loyalty.

### [Edward Maudelain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/edward_maudelain)

_friendship_

Edward Maudelain is a close confidant and friend to Queen Philippa, offering her counsel and emotional support in court intrigues.

### [Rosamund Eastney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/rosamund_eastney)

_friendship_

Queen Philippa treats Rosamund Eastney as a beloved lady-in-waiting and confidante, sharing secrets and personal concerns.

### [Marquess of Hastings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/marquess_of_hastings)

_social_

The Marquess of Hastings is a courtier who maintains a polite but distant social relationship with Queen Philippa, attending formal events.

### [Marquess of Hastings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/marquess_of_hastings)

_social_

The Marquess of Hastings is a courtier who maintains a polite but distant social relationship with Queen Philippa, attending formal events.

### [Rosamund Eastney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/rosamund_eastney)

_friendship_

Queen Philippa treats Rosamund Eastney as a beloved lady-in-waiting and confidante, sharing secrets and personal concerns.

### [John Copeland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/john_copeland)

_professional_

John Copeland holds a formal but respectful professional relationship with Queen Philippa, often acting as her military liaison.

## In the story

### [Chivalry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/chapters/chivalry)

Appears as one of the queens in the dizain, embodying aspects of queenship and sacrifice.

### [V: The Story of the Housewife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/chapters/v-the-story-of-the-housewife)

Daughter of Count William, later Queen of England; demonstrates courage and steadfast love, leading the army when no man will.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/queen_philippa
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters