E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Isabel,
called She-wolf of France. The adulterous queen of Edward II., daughter of Philippe IV. (le Bel) of France. According to tradition, she murdered her royal husband by thrusting a hot iron into his bowels.
1
“Mark the year and mark the night
When Severn shall re-echo with affright
The shrieks of death through Berkley’s roofs that ring,
Shrieks of an agonising king.
She-wolf of France, with unrelenting fangs,
That tear’st the bowels of thy mangled mate!”
Gray: The Bard.
Is’abel. The Spanish form of Elizabeth. The French form is Isabelle.
