[2] In 1396 negotiations started about marrying six-year-old Isabella to the widower Richard II, King of England (1367–1400), who was 22 years her senior, to ensure peace between their countries.

Afterwards, the court and the English guests went to Calais where the wedding ceremony was performed on 31 October 1396, but would not be consummated at least until the bride's twelfth birthday.

In spite of their age difference and the marriage being politically arranged, Isabella and Richard developed a mutually respectful relationship.

However, Isabella and Richard enjoyed a good platonic relationship, which has been compared to that between a father and his adopted daughter or between a niece and a doting uncle.

[citation needed] By May 1399 the Queen had been moved to Portchester Castle for protection while Richard went on a military campaign in Ireland.

In June, Isabella's uncle, Louis I, Duke of Orléans (1372–1407) took power in France from her mentally troubled father.

[citation needed] Many of England's lords supported Henry, who started a military campaign and took the country without much resistance, taking advantage of Richard being in Ireland.

Edmund of Langley, Duke of York, Keeper of the Realm and an uncle of both Richard and Henry, eventually also sided with the rebels.

She was finally allowed to return to France on 21 July 1401, but Henry IV kept her dowry, which she was supposed to get back if the marriage was never consummated.

In 1406, when the marriage negotiations between the Prince of Wales and Catherine of Pomerania had been terminated, Henry IV repeated his suggestion that Isabella should marry his son, but was refused by the French court.