lochiels:

Philippa of Hainault was born in Valenciennes, in the Low Countries, on the 24th of June, most likely 1314-1315. She was the second daughter of William the Good, graaf van Hainaut (modern Belgium) and Holland, and her mother, Jeanne de Valois, was the granddaughter of King Philip III of France. She spent her early years at her father’s court, renowned for its culture. At a young age she found learning appealing and was an enthusiastic reader.

She was married to Edward III in October 1327, nine months after he ascended the English throne. Philippa accompanied him on his expeditions to Scotland and sometimes to France during The Hundreds Years’ War. At times she ruled as regent when he went off to fight. She raised twelve children, including five sons who were renowned warriors and three who were also intellectuals, and daughters who were reputedly well educated and beautiful. The queen provided a necessary contrast to Edward, a great king, but one whose impulsiveness and tendency towards violence and vengefulness needed her calm, rational influence. 

Philippa was a kind and generous woman, highly intelligent and a competent administrator, with an impeccable pedigree (four of her great-grandfathers were kings), she appears in some ways the ideal queen. She won universal respect for her gentleness, compassion and her patronage making her a popular queen, something that she used to help maintain peace in England and elsewhere.