"The wise and noble Queen Blanche [of Castile], the mother of King Louis IX of France [reigned 1226-1270], had infinite goodness. She ruled the kingdom of France with such skill and care until her son was old enough to accede to the throne that no man could have done better. Even when he was grown up, she proved herself so worthy that she remained at the head of his advisors and nothing was decided without her consent. She even followed her son into battle. On one occasion during the kingâs minority, she scolded the Count of Champagne for having rebelled against his lord, the king. On hearing her wise words, he gazed at Queen Blanche and was captivated by her great virtue and respectability, despite the fact that she had long passed the flower of her youth. The count was so suddenly overcome with love for her that he didnât know what to do. From that moment on, he adored her for the rest of his life." Christine de Pizan, French female author, The Book of the City of the Ladies, a collection of stories about famous women in history, written circa 1405. Required:
a. Identify ONE claim made in the passage.
b. Identify ONE way in which the passage illustrates the political development of Europe in the period 1200â1450.