Worldwide Guide to Women in
Leadership
Heads of State of French Substates
Chronological list of the female heads of the substates and of the kingdom of
France
See also France Ecclestiastical leaders, France Heads and France Substates
(THis list is not 100% up to date)
575-84 Regent Dowager Queen Brunhildis of Austrasia and Burgundy
Also known as Brunhilde, the Visigothic Princess exerted great influence over
political life in the Frankish kingdoms of Austrasia, Neustria, and Burgundy.
She married King Sigebert of Austrasia in 567, while her sister Galswintha,
married his brother Chilperic, king of Neustria. Rivalry between the brothers
developed into open war when Chilperic had Galswintha murdered. When Sigebert
was assassinated on the orders of Fredegunde - Chilperic's second wife - in 575,
Chilperic claimed his lands. Brunhilde resisted this claim in the name of her
son Childebert II. However, her nobles deserted her and she fled to Burgundy.
Childebert remained in Austrasia and in 592 inherited Burgundy. When Childebert
died in 595, Brunhilde attempted to assert her control as regent over Burgundy
and Austrasia, which her grandsons Theodoric II and Theodebert II had inherited.
In 612 Theodoric murdered his brother at her instigation. Theodoric himself died
in 613. When Brunhilde tried to make her great-grandson Sigebert II king, the
nobles rebelled and acknowledged Clotaire as king. In the autumn of 613, near
Dijon, France, Clotaire had both Sigebert and Brunhilde executed.
584-94 Regent Dowager Queen Fredegundis of France
Fredgundis or Fredegunda was a slave-girl at the court of Neustria when she came
to the attention of Chilperic I, Merovingian King of Soissons (Neustria). She
became his mistress and then eventually third wife. She persuaded Chilperic to
repudiate his first wife Audovera and was said to be the driving force behind
the murder in 568 of Chilperic's second wife Galswintha. Fredegunda also
engineered the murders of Audovera's three sons and Sigibert of Austrasia,
Chilperic's brother. Finally her husband was murdered or assassinated, shortly
after the birth of their son Lothair in 584. Fredegunda seized her late
husband's wealth and fled to Paris with her remaining son Lothair (Clotaire II),
and persuaded the Neustrian nobles to recognize her son as the legitimate heir
to the throne and she took the role of Regent. In this capacity, she continued
her longtime power struggle with Guntrum of Burgundy (d.593) and Brunhilda,
Queen-Mother of Austrasia (d.614), whom she defeated around 597. Fredegunda (d.
598).
639-42 Regent Dowager Queen Nanthildis of Neustrasia and Burgundy
A former servant she married the Merovingian king Dagobert I (604-29-35) after
he had divorced his childless consort, Gomatrud. After Dagobert's death her son,
Chlodwig II was appointed king of Neutrasia and Burgundy and his older
half-brother, Sigibert III king of Austrasia. She received 1/3 of the royal
treasure. She acted as regent together with the Major Domus Aega. As he attacked
the Burgundfarons she protected them and 642 she reformed the office of Major
Domus of Burgundy and appointed the Frankish Flaochad to the office. Also known
as Nanthilde, Nanthechilde or Nantechildis, she lived (circa 610-642).
657-64/65 Regent Dowager Queen Bathildis of Neustrie, Bourgogne and Austrasie
Also known as Bathilde or Baldechildis, she was born in England, and taken to
Gaul as a slave and about 641, she was bought by Erchinoald, mayor of the palace
of Neustria. She married Clovis II in 648. The future Lothair III was born in
649, and she had two more sons, Theoderic and Childeric, who also eventually
became rulers. Balthildis' influence during her husband's reign was considerable,
since she controlled the court and the allocation of charity money, and had
strong connections with Church leaders. After Clovis' death in 657 she became
Regent for her son Lothair III and embarked on a policy of unifying the Frankish
territory by controlling Austrasia through imposing her son Childeric as Prince
and absorbing Burgundy. She lost her political power when Lothair came of age
and was forced to retire to the Chapter of Chelles, which she had founded and
endowed with much of her personal wealth in 664. She died in 680 in Chelles, and
was later declared a saint.
662 Regent Dowager Queen Himnechilde of Austrasie
Regent for Childéric II together with Major Domus (Major of the Palace) Wulfoald)
Widow of Sigebert III.
664 Presiding Abbess Hilda of Whitby and Hartlepool of the Synod of Whitby (United
Kingdom)
In 657, she had founded a double monastery of both monks and nuns at Whitby. She
was a patroness of the arts and was a notable teacher, whose advice was sought
by Kings and Abbots alike. At the Synod of Whitby it was decided that the
Northombian Church it should follow the teachings of the Roman Church rather
than those of Celtic Irish Iona. Hilda herself was, of course, sympathetic to
the latter party, but she accepted the council's ruling. After her death, after
a long and painful illness lasting some six years, miracles were soon reported
at her tomb. She was venerated as a saint and her bones suitably enshrined. St.
Hilda was the daughter of Prince Hereric of Deira, and lived (614-680).
692 Regent Queen Dowager Clothilde of Neustrie and Bourgogne
Regent for a few months for son Childéric. Also known as Rothilde,
Chrothéchildis or Doda (d. 694/9).
714 Acting Major Domina Plectrude Theobaldo of Neustraia, Austria, Aquitania and
Burgundy
Also known as Plectrudis, she in a power-struggle with her stepson, Carles
Martel after the death of her husband, Pipin II d'Heristal. She favoured the
succession of one of her grandsons to the office of Major Domus. Her forces were
finally defeated in 719. She inherited the lands between the Rhine, Moselle and
Meuse after her mother Irmina, and was later declared a saint, (d. circa 725).
Until 783 Politically Active Queen Berta of France
She was the wife of king Pepin and a mother of king Charles the Great, and was
especially active in diplomacy.
783-784 Politically Active Queen Fastrada of France
Involved in politics during the reign of her husband, king Charles the Great,
until her death.
877-79 Presiding over the Court Queen Engelberge of the Franks
She played a prominent role during the reign of her husband, King Louis II of
the Franks (846-77-79), who was succeeded by two of their sons, Louis III
(863-79-82) and Carloman. Engelberge (d. 890).
887-96 Regent Countess Dowager Ermengarde of Provence
Widow of Louis II (822/4-75), who was king of Italy (844) and Holy Roman Emperor
(850) and count of Provence (863-69). She was regent for son Louis III
(887-928). He was king in Italy from 900 and Holy Roman Emperor from 901.
Ermengarde (d. 896/96).
Around 920 Dame Ava of Auvergne
Married to Geoffroy II de Gastinas, she lived (895-942).
923-934 Politically Influential Queen Emma of France
She was very Politically Active and a army leader during the reign of her
husband king Rudolf. Daughter of king Robert I.
Until 942 Heiress Ermengarde II of Basse-Bourgogne
The daughter of Richard le Justicier, Duke of Burgundy (952), she married her
cousin married Gilbert de Chalon (circa 900-56), count d'Atun, Chalon, Beaune et
Dijon in 938. Mother of two daughters who devided the inheritance. Liégarde
became Duchesse de Bourgogne and Adélaide Countess d'Auxerre etc. in circa 956
Ermengarde lived (circa 905-42).
954-circa 59 Regent Dowager Queen Gerberga von Sachsen of France
In 939 her first husband, Duke Giselbert of Lorraine, died and she then married
Louis IV of France, who also became ruler of Lorraine though with opposition
from Hugo of Francien, who was married to her sister, Hadwig. In 954 her husband
died, and she managed to secure the election of her son, Lothar III as king of
France, and acted as his regent. The contemporary sources describe her as a
highly educated, intelligent and forceful player in the political game of the
time. Mother of around 10 children, she lived (913-69).
956-87 Sovereign Countess Adélaïde I Wéra de Chalon of Auxerre Chalons-sur-Saône
and Beaune
She was daughter of Gilbert de Chalon and Ermengarde II de Bourgogne. She first
married to Robert I de Vermandois (circa 910-967) comte de Meaux, comte d'Auxerre
et de Chalon and secondly Lambert de Chalon (ca.930-979) comte de Chalon et
d'Autun (circa 945). Her sister, Liégarde inherited Bourgogne. Adélaide Wéra lived
(circa 928-89).
Around 956 Hereditary Duchess Liégarde de Vergy of Bourgogne
She was daughter of Gilbert de Chalon and Ermengarde II de Bourgogne. She was
daughter of Ermengarde and her husband, Eudes of France. They did not have any
children. Her sister, Adélaide inherited Auxerre and Chalons.
978-87 Regent Dowager Duchess Beatrx von
Franzien of Upper Lorraine
Not very politically active during the reign of her husband, Friederich, but
after his death she took over the regency for her son, Dietrich I as "Dux" of
Lotharingia. After the death of Otto II she supported the Empresses Adelheid and
Theophano and the candidature of the minor Otto III against other candidates and
as reward her younger son, Adalberto vas first named Bishop of Verdun and the of
Metz. 985 she participated in the "Colloquium dominarum" in Metz together with
Queen Emma of France, the German Empresses and her sister-in-law, Adelheid, the
wife of Hugo Capets, and Heinrich dem Zänker, which settled the dispute
conserning Lorraine. From teil. Die Zusammenkunft bezweckte einen Ausgleich der
Spannungen und Auseinandersetzungen in und um Lothringen. For the rest of her
time in office, she was very engaged in diplomatic activites with France and the
Empire.
986-87 Regent Dowager Queen Emma of France
Daughter of Lothaire III of Italy and Germany, who died in 950. Her mother
Adélaide later married Otto I of Germany. Emma became regent after the death of
her husband King Lothaire for son Louis V, who was king from 26th of march till
18th May.
987-96 Joint Ruler Queen Alais d'Aquitaine of France
Also known as Adèle, she was married to Hugues Capet, and reigned jointly with
him, and after his death 996 she also seems to have played a political role
during the beginning of the reign of her son, Robert II. She was daughter of
Guillaume II and Adèle de Normandie, and lived (circa 945-1004/06).
Ca 1000 Sovereign Countess Eve of Dreux and Dauphine
Succeeded father Landri and reigned jointly with her husband, Gauthier de Vexin.
1010-? Sovereign Countess Melisende of Dunois
Daughter of Geoffoi II and married to Warin de Domfront of Alençon.
1010-? Sovereign Countess Melisende of Dunois
Daughter of Geoffoi II and married to Warin de Domfront of Alençon.
1031-79 Sovereign Countess Adélaïde de France of Auxerre
Daughter of King Robert II (972-1031). Married to Renaud I de Nevers, and
succeeded by sister, Adele. She lived (1003-79).
1033 Sovereign Countess Alix of Rouci
Also known as Adeleaide, Alice or Isabelle, the county is also known as Roucy.
She married Hildouin III de Montdidier and lived (circa 1014-63).
1033-93 Sovereign Countess Sophie of Bar
Succeeded father of Henri I who was both Duke of Lorraine and Count of Bar. She
reigned jointly with husband Louis de Mousson, Count de Montbéliard until his
death in 1065 or 1170. Succeeded by son, Thierry II.
1039-44 Regent Dowager Duchess Agnes de la Bourgogne of Aquitanie and Poitou
She became the third wife of Guillaume III-V, Duke of Aquitaine, one of the most
powerful lords in France. After about twelve years of marriage, Guillaume died
and Agnes defeated his two sons from a previous marriage. First she ruled by
herself, then later with her own two sons. She married again but her second
husband, the Count of Anjou, divorced her after eighteen years. She lived
(995-1068).
1040-57 Regent Dowager Duchess Berthe I of Bretagne
The widow of Alain III she was regent for her son Conan II (1040-40-66),
Around 1043 Sovereign Countess Mantsrede I of Joigny
Apparently also known as Alix, she was married to Etienne I, Sire de Vaux before
1045, who lived (1020-48). Mantsrede was born before 1020.
Before 1047 Sovereign Countess Adelaide I of Soissons
Daughter of Renaud I and married to Guillaume II comte d'Eu. Succeeded by son.
1055-61 Hereditary Duchess Agnes de Pointou of Bavaria (Germany)
1056-62 Regent Dowager Empress of the Holy Roman Empire
She was descended from the royal houses of Burgundy and Italy, the daughter of
William V of Aquitaine and Poitou, she became the second wife of the German king
Henry III in 1043. They were crowned Holy Roman Emperor and Empress by Clement
II in 1046. After her husband's death she acted as Regent for her son, Heinrich
IV (1050-?) She was not an experienced politician and was influenced by the
nobility to part with the duchies of Bavaria and Carinthia, and entered into
unwise alliances against the dominant reforming party in the Papacy. By 1062
discontent led to an uprising in which Anno, Archbishop of Köln, took over the
regency. Agnes retired to a convent where she remained until her death. She
lived (1024-77).
1057-99 Sovereign Countess Adelaide II of Soissons
Daughter of Rainald I and married Guillaume Busac, Comte de Hiesmes. She lived
(1034-99).
1060-? Regent Queen Anne de Kiev of France
After the death of her husband, Henri I, she was joint regent for her son,
Philippe I, together with Baudouin V of Flanders. Her marriage to Raoul, Comte
de Valois caused a scandal, since he was already married. He was excommunicated,
and she died in a convent. She was daughter of Jarosla Vladimirovich of Kiev and
Indegard of Norway, and lived (1051-89).
1067-70 Sovereign Countess Ermengard of Carcasconne
She was the daughter of Roger II, succeeded her brother, Roger III and was
married to Raimond Bernard, Vicomte d'Alby.
1066-69 and 1069-83 Regent Queen Mathilda of Flanders of England of Normandie
She was married to William I the Conqueror of England (1066-87) and duke of
Normandy. He depended heavily on her and she acted as regent whenever he was
absent after their marriage in 1051. With him in England 1067-69 until she went
back to Normandy, where she remained in charge until her death. In 1077 the
oldest son, Robert Curthose, suggested that he should become the ruler of
Normandy and Maine. When William the Conqueror refused, Robert rebelled and
attempted to seize Rouen. The rebellion failed and Robert was forced to flee and
established himself at Gerberoi. William besieged him there in 1080 but Matilda
managed to persuade the two men to end their feud. Mother of around 10 children,
one of the last being king Henry I. She lived (circa 1031-83).
1070-1111 Hereditary Countess Ide d'Artois of Boullion
She was daughter of Godefroi de Lorraine and his first wife, Doda. Married to
Count Eustrache II of Boulogne (d. circa 1080), and their second son, Godefroi IV
was co-count. Her third son was King Badouin I of Jerusalem. She lived
(1040-1113).
1070-82 Sovereign Dame Mabile of Alençon
Succeeded father Yves II and reigned jointly with husband Roger de Montgomery,
Earl of Arundel and Shrewsbury (1070-94).
1075-80 Sovereign Countess Adelaide II of Chalons-sur-Saône and Beaune
Married to Guy II de Thiers.
1079 Sovereign Countess Adele de France of Auxerre
Succeeded sister of Adélaïde. Married Richard III de Normandie and Baudoin V de
Flanders. She lived (1009-79).
1079-81 Countess Adeline of Meulent
Also known as Adeliza, she was daughter of Waleran de Beaumont, who lived
(990-1069). Her husband, Roger de Beaumont, was President of the Council,
appointed by William the Conqueror to assist his wife in the government of
Normandy. He was related to the Danish rulers of Normandy and the kings of
Denmark. She lived (1014-81).
1080-1123 Sovereign Countess Adelaïde of Vermandois
1080-1118 Sovereign Countess of Crépy-en-Valois
Daughter of Count Herbert de Vermandois, who succeeded his father-in-law in
1076. She inherited Crépy-en-Valois via her mother, Adéle de Valois, and reigned
jointly with husband Hugues de France until his death in 1102. She was succeeded
by son, Raoul IV.
1080-96 Sovereign Countess Beatrix I of Bigorre
Succeeded brother Raymond II and reigned jointly with husband, Cenule I (Vicount
Centule IV de Béarn) until his death in 1088. Succeeded by son Bernard III.
1085-1102 Sovereign Countess Euphrosine of Vendôme
1102-05 Regent Dowager Countess
She succeeded her brother, Bouchard III, and was married to Geoffroi Jourdain,
Lord de Previlly, and was succeeded by Geoffroi Grisegonella de Bourbon, and
initially acted as his regent.
1090/93-1100 Sovereign Countess Etiennette of Provence
Also known as Douce or Dulcia.
1091-1116 Sovereign Countess Almodis of La Marche
She succeeded father Boson II and reigned jointly with husband, Roger de
Montgomery (d. 1123). Succeeded by son Boson III.
1100-1112 Sovereign Countess Gerberga of Provence
She succeeded Etiennette, who ruled from 1093 and was succeeded by Dolca/Dulcia
I who married Raymond Berenguer III of Barcelona.
1100-circa 14 Regent Duchess Mathilde-Philippa de Toulouse of Aquitaine and Poitou
1114-17 Claimant of Toulouse
Her husband, Guillaume (Duke and Count 1086-1127), went to the Holy Land after
the first crusade had finished in 1099 and took part in the creation of the
Kingdom of Jerusalem and some of the other Latin Principalities. She acted as
regent during his absence. She claimed the county from her cousin, and attacked
the county. Her husband concquered and lost the county two times, they probably
seperated in 1115 and she died as a nun. She was daughter of Guillaume IV de
Toulouse (1040/45-60-93) and first married to Sancho I of Aragon, who was killed
in 1094. Mother of two sons, and lived (1068-1117).
1100-... Sovereign Countess Agnes of Ponthieu
She succeeded father, Gui I and reigned jointly with husband Roger II de Ralvas,
Count d'Alençon.
11... Politically Influential Countess Gertruda of Guines
She was a Welsh revolutionary who raised an army to rebel against the oppressive
regime of King John. She was captured on the battlefield and died as his
prisoner.
1105-08 Regent Dowager Countess Elvira de Castilla of Tripoli (Lebanon)
1108-circa 23 Regent of Toulouse
After the death of her husband Raimond IV de Saint-Gilles of Toulouse, she
became regent for their infant son, Alphonse Jordan (b. 1105), but the situation
was difficult and she desided to move to Toulouse and transferred Tripoli to her
husband's illegitimate son, Bertrand, who left for the Holy Land to claim his
inheritance. She lived (circa 1080-after 1151).
1107-09 Sovereign Countess Ide-Raymonde of Lyonnais and Forez
Her brother, Guillaume III was count (1079-97) and was succeeded by a number of
male relatives. Widow of Guy-Raymond d'Albon, count Forez.
1110-circa 26 Sovereign Countess Eremburge of Maine
She succeeded her father, Helie de la Fleche, Count of Maine by-the-right of his
wife, Paula de Maine, and co-reigned with husband Foulques d'Anjou who died in
1142. Her daughter, Mathilde, was given the county of Maine upon her marriage to
William of Wales, who died 1120, and when Mathilde entered a convent, her son,
Helie, became Count of Maine. Eremburge lived (circa 1090-circa 1126).
1112-30 Sovereign Countess Dulcia I of Provence
Successor of Countess Gerberga, she was married to count Ramon Berenguer III of
Barcelona (1086-1131) and succeeded by son, Raymond Berenguer IV and II the
Saint of Barcelona and Provence.
Circa 1121-50 Sovereign Countess Tiburge I of Orange
Succeeded father Raimbaud II and reigned together with husband, Guillaume I
d'Omélas (d. 1156). In 1150 they were succeeded by their son Raimbaud III.
Circa 1125-35/51 Sovereign Countess Mahaut I of Boulonge
Also known as Queen Matilda of England, she succeeded father Eustache III, and
reigned jointly with her husband, King Stephen de Blois of England (d. 1154) and
succeeded by first two sons Eustache IV, William, Earl of Warenne and Surrey and
then by daughter, Marie in 1159.
1127-36 Sovereign Countess Beatrix II of Bigorre
Succeeded father, Centule II and joint ruler with husband Pierre I de Marsan,
who was succeeded by their son Centule III in 1163.
1128-.. Regent Isabella of Amboise
After the death of her husband, Hugo, she was regent for her son Sulpisius. She
died after 1143.
1132-72 Sovereign Countess Beatrix of Maguelone de Susbstancion et de Melgueil
Malegone was a county on the Lancedoc coast of Bretagne. It was a pontific fief
under the sovereignty of the Pope in Avignon.
1135-50 De-facto Sovereign Duchess Mathilda of Normandie
1141-47/52 Sovereign Lady Domina of England
1141 Queen Regnant (2/2-September) [8th of April-1st of November]
Matilda or Maud was the only daughter of Henry I of England by Queen Matilda. In
1114, she married the Holy Roman emperor Henry V, who died in 1125, and secondly
with Geoffrey of Anjou 1128. She was the only legitimate of her father, Henry
I's around 20 children, 1127 the estates paid homage to her as her father's successor and her
cousin, Stephen de Blois, swore an oath recognizing her as heir, but broke it
after Henry's death, and in her absence he usurped the title. She claimed the
throne of England in 1139 and deposed King Stephen in April 1141. Elected "Lady
of the English" by a clerical council at Winchester in April, she entered London
in June; but her arrogance and tactless demands for money provoked the citizens
to chase her away to Oxford before she could be crowned Queen. Her forces were
routed at Winchester in September 1141, and thereafter she maintained a steadily
weakening resistance in the west country. Left England in 1148 and returned to
Normandy, where she was Duchess Regnant (1135-67). Her son, Henri d'Anjou,
became King Henry II. She lived (1102-67).
1137-1204 Sovereign Duchess Eleanore de Poitiers of Aquitanie et Pouitou, Guenne
et Gascongne
1155, 1158 1160, 1189-91, 1192 and 1199 Regent of England
1165-66 Regent of Normandie
The daughter and heiress of William X, duke of Aquitaine, she married Louis IV
of France in 1137 shortly before his accession to the throne. She accompanied
him on the Second Crusade (1147–49). Eleanor bore Louis two daughters, but in
1152 their marriage was annulled. Soon afterward Eleanor married the 11 year
younger Henry, duke of Normandy and count of Anjou, uniting her vast possessions
with those of her husband. Louis VII feared this powerful combination, and when
Henry ascended the English throne in 1154, the stage was set for a long struggle
between the English and French kings. Eleanor bore Henry three daughters and
five sons. Because of Henry's infidelities, especially his relationship with
Rosamond, Eleanor's relations with her husband grew strained, and in 1170 she
established a court of her own at Poitiers. She supported her sons in their
unsuccessful revolt against Henry in 1173 and was held in confinement by Henry
until 1185. Her efforts helped Richard secure the throne in 1189. While Richard
was on the Third Crusade and later held captive in Europe (1190–94), Eleanor was
active in forestalling the plots against him by his brother John and in
collecting the ransom for his release. She brought about a reconciliation
between the two brothers, and on Richard's death in 1199 she supported John's
claims to the throne over those of Arthur I of Brittany. Eleanor's court at
Poitiers was the scene of much artistic activity and was noted for its
cultivation of courtly manners and the concept of courtly love. The first three
times she was regent during her husband's stay in his French possessions. She
was also regent for mother-in-law, Empress Mathilde, in Normandy, regent during
Richard IIs crusades and after his death regent until her younger son, Count
John d'Anjou came to England to take over the throne. She lived (1122-1204).
1138-39 and 1147-49 Regent Countess Sibylla d'Anjou of Flanders (Belgium)
She was regent during her husband, Diedrik's participation in the crusades She
fought off attacks by Badouin of Hainault, an old arch-enemy of her husband. In
1157 she moved to Jerusalem with her husband and stayed there the rest of her
life and remained very influential within the royal family. She joined the
Convent of Bethani. The was daughter of Count Fulco V of Anjou-Jerusalem and mother
of six children, including Margaretha, who inherited Flanders from her brother
in 1191. Sibylla lived (circa 1110-65).
1143-92 Sovereign Countess Ermengarde of Narbonne
Daughter of Aymérie II (1105-34), who was succeeded by her brother, Alfonse
Jourdain, Count of Toulouse. She was the leader of the French royalist party in
the south of the country, which was in opposition to the English. She fought
numerous wars defending her domain and was a patron of troubadours and protector
of the church. Also a renowned arbiter and judge in complex cases of feudal law.
She was married to Alphonse 1143-1145 and Bernard II d'Anduse from 1145, but
none of the husbands had any part in the government. Ermengarde resigned in
favour of her nephew Pierre II de Lara. She (d. 1197).
1148-58 Regent Dowager Duchess Berthe II of Bretagne, Rennes, Vannes, Dol, Poher,
Cornovalles and Nantes
Daughter of Conan III who was succeeded by her son, Conan IV le Petit
(1140-48-69-71) and joint regent with her husband, Eudes II of Rohan and Porhoët.
1148-84 Sovereign Countess Beatrix I of Upper Bourgogne and Franche-Comté
Succeeded father, Reinald III of Burgundy, and married Friedrich I Barbarossa,
who became Emperor in 1155. She was succeeded by son Otto I, and lived
(1140-84).
1154-65 Co-Reigning Countess Consort Constance of France of Toulouse
Her first husband, Count Eustache IV.of Boulogne, Duke of Normandie and Heir to
the English Throne died in 1153 and the following year she married Raimondo V of
Toulouse. She was the first Countess of Toulouse to use the title of Duke, she
often signed official documents with the title Regina or Dux Narbonnæ, but at
her seal she used the title Ducissa. The couple was divorced 1165. She was
daughter of king Louis VI in his second marriage to Adelaide de Savoie, the
mother of four children, and lived (circa 1124-circa 80).
1156 Sovereign Dame Mathilde-Mahaut de Bourgogne of Montpensier and Comtesse de
Grigon
Daughter of Dame Agnès de Thiern (around 1140), and lived (1150-1192).
1159-70 Sovereign Countess Marie of England of Boulonge
Daughter of Mahaut I (Queen Matilda of England) and king Stephen de Blois of
England. She succeeded brother and was joint ruler with husband, Mathieu
d'Alsace (Flanders) until their divorce in 1170. After his death in 1173 he was
succeeded by their daughter Ide. Marie's sister, Mathilde (ca.1159-1211),
inherited the lands and possessions in England. Marie lived (circa 1136-80/81).
1160-80 Sovereign Countess Tiburge II of Orange
Succeeded father Guillaume II and was succeeded by great-aunt, Tiburge III who
had been joint ruler since 1173.
1160-97 Sovereign Countess Marguerite de France of Véxin
Daughter of King Louis VII of France and first married Henri Court-Martel,
Prince of England, Duke of Normandie (d. 1183) - the son her father's ex-wife
Leonore of Aquitaine, and secondly with King Béla III of Hungary. She lived
(1155-97).
1162-1228 Sovereign Countess Beatrix of Grenoble and Albon, Dauphine Viennois
At the age of one, she succeeded father Guigues V and from circa 1179 she reigned
jointly with husbands Albéric Taillefer, Count de Saint Gilles, from 1183 with
Duke Hugues III de Bourgogne, who died 1192 and the following with Hugues de
Coligny-Revermont (d. 1205), and succeeded by son André Guigues VI, who took
over as Dauphin of Viennois and Count d'Albon around 1202. Mother of three
children, and lived (1162-1228).
1162-79 Regent Dowager Countess Beatrix di Montferrato of Grenoble, d'Albon and
Viennois
Regent for daughter, Beatrix, who succeeded to the county at the age of one.
Beatrix di Montferrato lived (circa 1142-1228).
1162-63 Regent Marguerite of Viennois and Dauphiné
Regent for niece for one year, until her own death.
1164/67-82/83 Sovereign Countess Isabelle-Mabile of Valois and Vermandois
Succeeded her father Raoul I and married Philippe de Lorraine, Count of Flanders.
They had no children and the country reverted to the French crown. She lived
(1143-83).
1166-67 Sovereign Countess Dulcia II of Provence and Melgueil, Vicomtesse de
Gevaudan and Rodez
She succeeded Raymond Berenguer III of Provence. In the period 1162-1196 her
cousin, King Alfonso II of Aragón, occupied Barcelona and from 1167 also
Provence. She was engaged to Raimond VI de Toulouse, and lived (circa 1165-1172).
1166-67 Regent Dowager Countess Richsa of Poland of Provence
She was in charge of the government during her infant daughter's brief reign.
Richsa was daughter of Duke WLadyslaw II. of Poland, of Krakow and Schlesia, and
Agnes of Austria and first married to king Alphonso VII of Castilla-Leon and
mother of two children by him, who both predeceased their father. After his
death in 1157 she went to the court of Raimondo Berenger IV's court in
Barcelona, whose son, Alphonso II of Aragon had been engaged to her daughter. In
1161 she married Raymond Berenguer III of Provence and after his death in five
years later, she married Count Albrecht II. von Everstein (d. 1197), an ally of
her mother's cousin Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa. She lived (1130/40-1185).
1167 Sovereign Countess Isabelle of Vermandois and Valois
1167-83 Countess of Crépy
Also known as Mabile, she was Daughter of Raoul II and Countess Marguerite de
Flandre, and was married to Philippe d'Alsace, Count of Flanders (d. 1191), and
lived (1143-83).
1167-1214 Sovereign Countess Éleonore of Vermandois, Valois et Saint-Quentin
Sister of Isabelle or Mabile and Married to Godefroy de Hainaut , Comte
d'Ostervant (d. 1163) and Guillaume IV, Comte de Nevers, she renounced her
titles inf favour of the Crown of France. She lived (1152-circa 1222).
1170-1201 Sovereign Dame Arnalda de Caboët of Andorra
Her father, Arnau de Caboet, had been given the Valley of Andorra as a fief by
the Bishop of Urgell. Her mother, Sancha de Castellbò was daughter of Pierre
Raymond, Viscount de Higher Urgell and Vicomtesse Sibylle de Cerdagne. Arnalda
married Viscount Arnau de Castellbò-Cerdagne (1155-1226), and they were
succeeded by daughter, VicountessErmessenda de Castellbò i Carboet, who
married Roger Bernard II of Foix in 1208, and Andorra was inherited by the
houses of Foix, Bearn and Navarra. Arnalda lived (1164-1201).
1170-73 Sovereign Viscounts Marie of Bearn and d'Oloron, Brulhois and Gabarret
and Countess of Bigorre
Succeeded brother, Gaston V and reigned together with husband, Guillaume I de
Moncarde and was succeeded by son Gaston VI le Bon (1173-1215).
Around 1170 Co-Ruler Countess Emma of Guines
Together with husband, Baldwin I, Count of Manasse.
1171-87/1201 Sovereign Duchess Constance of Bretagne
Succeeded father Conan IV. Her first husband was the son of King Henry of
England and Duchess Regnant Leonore of Aquitaine, Geoffrey II Plantagenet was
duke 1181-86 (†). Their daughter, Eleanor was Maid of Bretagne but became
Countess in her own right of Richmond (1185-1208-41). Constance's second husband
was Ranulph de Blundeville, 4th Earl of Chester. They divorced in 1199, and she
then married Guy Viscount de Thouras with whom she had the daughter Alice de
Thuars. Constance lived (1161-1201).
From 1171 Possible Regent Dowager Duchess Margaret of Huntingdon of Bretagne
Countess of Herford (or Herefort) in her own right, she possibly acted as regent
for daughter Constance who was underage..
1171-1218 Sovereign Countess Mahaut I of Bourbon
Succeeded father Archambaud VIII and reigned jointly with husband Gui II de
Dampierre 1200-15. Succeeded by son Archambaud IX.
1173-1214 Sovereign Countess Ide of Boulonge
Ide's mother, Marie de Blois, was Countess of Boulonge until her divorce from
Mathieu d'Alsace in 1170. He continued to reign as count until his death in
1173. Ide married Mathieu II with Philippe d'Alsace as regent. Matheiu II died
in 1180 and she married Count Gerhard III van Gelders, Duke Berthold IV von
Zähringen (or possibly Berthold V) and finally Count Rainald I. von
Dammartin-en-Goelo, who were all joint regents. Ide's sister, Mathilde,
inherited the estates in England that their mother had inherited from her father,
King Stephen. Ide was succeeded by daughter, Countess Mahaut II (Mathilde) de
Dammartin et Boulonge in 1214, and lived (1161-1214/16).
1173-82 Sovereign Countess Tiburge III of Orange
The daughter of Tiburge I, she reigned jointly with Tiburge II until, the
granddaughter of her brother Raimbaud III
1175-81 Regent Dowager Countess Mahaut de Bourgogne of Auxerre, Nevers and
Tonnerre
1170 she married Count Guy, who was involved in various wars - first he
accompanied King Louis VII of France during his campaign against Baron Geoffroy
IV de Donzy and in 1174 he was involved in a fight against Duke Hugues II of
Bourgogne because she - and her mother-in-law - had advised him not to pay
homage to the Duke for the possessions he held in Bourgogne. He lost the fight,
was taken prisoner but was freed after she paid his ransom, but died soon after,
making her regent for her son, Guillaume V, who died as a child and was
succeeded by sister, Agnès, after her uncle, Renaud, had renounced his rights in
her favour.
1178-90 Sovereign Countess Beatrix III Stephanie of Bigorre
Succeeded father, Centule III and reigned jointly with husbands Pierre II de Dax
and Bernard IV de Comminges, who died in 1226. She was succeeded by daughter,
Petronille.
1180-90 Sovereign Dame Isabelle de Hainault of Artois (France/Belgium)
Daughter of Baudouin V-VIII of Flanders and Hainault and Margareta of Flanders.
She was married to king Philippe II August of France, and her son, Louis, was
created Count d'Artois. She died after having given birth stillborn twins, and
lived (1170-90). After her death her husband first married Ingeborg of Denmark,
but their marriage broke down in 1200 and he then married Agnès de Méranie, but
also this marriage was repudiated.
1180-96 Sovereign Countess Havoise of Aumale
Succeeded father Guillaume I and reigned jointly with three husbands; William de
Mandeville, Earl of Essex until 1189, Geoffroi des Forts until 1191, and
Baudouin de Choques until 1196.After her death, the French king reigned the
county until 1200.
1180-1208 Sovereign Countess Mahaut of La Marche and Angoulême
Also known as Mathilde, she fist succeeded a relative, Aldebert V, in La Marche.
In Angouleme, she succeeded father, Vougrin II Taillefer, who had been deposed
by king Richard of England in 1179. Her two brothers succeeded each others as
pretenders to the county and she was succeeded by niece, Isabella, who claimed
the title after her father's death in 1202. In La Marche Mahaut reigned jointly
with her husband Hugues de Luisignan (d. 1206).
1181-92 Sovereign Countess Agnès of Auxerre, Tonnerre and Nevers, Dame de Donzy
The daughter of Count Guy I. de Nevers-Auxerre-Tonnerre (d.1175) and Mahaut/Mathilde
de Bourgogne-Grignon, she succeeded her brother Guillaume V, and became the
first of a succession of female rulers, which lasted for more than a century.
She spend three years at the court of the king of France, who married her to the
grandson of King Louis VI of France, Pierre II de Courtenay, Emperor of
Constantinople (1216-19), and succeeded by her only daughter Mathilde, who was
head of all three counties (1195-1257). Agnes lived (circa 1170-92).
1183-1214 Sovereign Countess Eléonore de Valois
Succeeded sister, Maile or Isabelle de Vermandois and Valois, but her
brother-in-law Philippe refused to give up the county, but he was defeated by
King Philippe Auguste de France. Eléonore reigned jointly with husband, Mathieu,
Count de Beaument-sur-Oise. Her younger sister was heiress to the county, but it
was occupied by France 1214-40.
1186-1227 Sovereign Countess Alix of Eu
Succeeded brother, Raoul I and reigned jointly with husband Raoul II de
Lusignan-Issoudun and was succeeded by son Raoul III.
1190-91 Regent Dowager Queen Alix de Blois-Champagne of France
The third wife of Louis VII, she acted as regent during her son, Philippe II
August's participation in the crusades at the time. She lived (1140-1206).
1190-1251 Sovereign Countess Petronille of Bigorre
Succeeded mother Beatrix III Stephanie, and reigned jointly with her husbands
Gaston VI de Bearn, Gui de Montfort, Aymar de Rançon and Boson de Mastas. She
was succeeded first by grandson and then by granddaughter, Constance in 1283.
1191-98 Sovereign Countess Catherine of Clermont
Daughter of Raoul I Count of Clermont en Beauvoisis (1130-91) and married to
Louis de Blois, Count of Chartres (1166-1205), and succeeded by son, Thibault.
She was born before 1176.
1199-1257 Sovereign Countess Mahaut I de Courtenay of Nevers
1204-04, 1214 and 1218-19 Sole Regent of Nevers
1219-57 Sovereign Countess of Auxerre and Tonnerre, Dame de Courtenay
Her mother Agnès died 1192 and her father, Pierre de Courtenay, Count de Namur
1212 and Emperor of Constantinople 1217, kept control of the three counties
until 1299 when he transferred the County of Nevers to Baron Hervé V de Donzy,
as part of a ransom for his freedom as he had been taken prisoner during a armed
conflict between the two. The following year Mahaut was married to Hervé. Pierre
kept control over Auxerre and Tonnerre until his death in 1219. 1204-04 and 1214
Hervé accompanied King Philippe on warfares against the English, 1218-19 on the
Fifth Crusade and she was left in sole control of the counties. Her husband died
three years later imprisoned in his chateau of Saint-Aignan. In 1223 Mahaut
signed the Municipal Charter of Auxerre. Her daughter Agnès de Donzy died in
1225, the following year Mahaut married Guy de Forez and raised her
grandchildren Gaucher and Yolande de Châtillon. Mahaut was succeeded by her
great-granddaughter, Mahaut II de Dampierre - daughter of her granddaughter
Yolande de Châtillon and Archambaud de Dampierre, and lived (1188-1257).
1194-1203 (†) Regent Countess Adelaide de Toulouse of Carasconne
For Raymond Roger, who died 1209.
1194-1228 Queen Regnant Blanca I of Navarra, Sovereign Countess of Champagne. (Spain
and France)
She was daughter of Sancho VI and Sancha Beatriz de Castilla, and was succeeded
by her son, Teobaldo I and was married to Teobaldo of Champagne and later by her
daughter, Blanca II. Blanca I lived (1177-1229).
1197-1213 Sovereign Countess Marie de Montpellier
Married to Pedro III de Aragón. They engaged in a power struggle about the
control of her country.
1197-after 1200 Sovereign Countess Alix de France of Véxin
Succeeded her sister, Margurerite, who was given the conty as a dowry in 1160.
She was first engaged to the heir to the English throne, Richard, also son of
her father's ex-wife Leonore of Aquitaine, but instead married Guillaume II,
Count de Ponthieu and Montreuil. She had no children, and lived (ca 1160-after
1200).
From 1199 Sovereign Countess Blance d'Éureay
The county is situated in Normandy.
1200-05 Sovereign Countess Palatine Jeanne of Bourgogne
She was daughter of Otton I et de Marguerite de Champagne, Comtesse Palatine de
Bourgogne (1200-1205) and succeeded by sister Beatix II (1192-1231). She lived
(1191-1205).
1200-31 Sovereign Countess Beatrix II of Franche-Comté
1205-31 Countess Palatine de Bourgogne
Succeeded father, Otto I in Franche-Comté and sister in Bourgogne, and reigned
jointly with husband Duke Otto II de Meran (1208-34), who was succeeded by their
son, Otto III de Meran and Franche-Comté. She lived (1192-1231).
1201 Pretender Philippine de Champagne-Jerusalem of Champagne
She was the younger daughter of Henri de Champagne and Queen Isabella I of
Jerusalem, she claimed the county of Champagne after the death of her cousin,
Thibaut, jointly with her older sister, Queen Alice of Jerusalem, and the fights
over the inheritance lasted about a quarter of a century. Some of the nobles and
prelates supported Philippa and her sister, others supported Queen Blanca of
Castilla and her son. In 1221 both sisters seceded their claims in exchange of a
large payment. But in 1227 they made a new attempt and new fights erupted. But
in 1234 the inheritance was finally settled, the sisters were granted a large
sum of money and Alice had the treaty confirmed by her son, Henri of Cyprus and
her daughters Maria and Isabella. Philippa was married to Sire Erard III de
Brienne, mother of seven children, and lived (circa 1195- 1250).
1202-circa 44 Sovereign Countess Isabelle Taillefer of Angoulême
She was daughter of Adémer III Taillefer, who was pretender to the county
(1181-1202) against his sister, Countess Mahaut. After his death she claimed the
title, 6 years before Mahaut died. First married to King John without Land of
England 1216, when he died when she was visiting Queen Blance in Paris, after
having returned to England she gave birth to a daughter. After the coronation of
her 8 year old son, Henry, she was asked by the Barons to leave England and she
returned to her own lands. Here she arranged for her daughter to marry Hugues X
de Lusignan, Count de La Marche, to whom she was engaged before her marriage to
John, but married him herself in 1218. She was very powerful in both counties
thoug her husband was titular co-ruler. He and her son, Henry III, were engaged
in fights against the French king in 1242. The following year she devided her
possessions among those of her 13 children who had survived infancy, and joined
the convent of Fontrevault. After her death her husband joined one of the crucades
and died in the Holy Land in 1249. She lived (1186-1246).
1202-after 05 Regent Countess Alice of Angoulême
Widow of the pretender, Adémer Taillefer to the county, she was regent for
daughter, Isabelle.
1203-21 Sovereign Countess Alix de Bretagne
1221-37 Regent
She succeeded the older son of her mother, Constance, and her first husband,
Arthur I. Her husband, Pierre I was count 1213-21. He was also count of
Penthièvre and Richmond. Their son, Jean I the Read succeeded as count when his
father died, with her as regent. She died 1250.
1203-28 Sovereign Countess Beatrice de Thiers of Chalons-sur-Saône and Beaune
Succeeded father Guillaume VI and Married Etienne III de Bourgogne (1170-1240).
After her death in 1228, the county was inherited by son, Jean I (1190-1266).
1205-44 Sovereign Countess Jeanne de Constantinople of Flanders Hainault and
Namur (Belgium and France)
She was the oldest daughter of Boudewijn IX. In 1212 she married to Ferrand of
Portugal. As he refused to support king Philippe II of France during an attack
on England, the latter attacked Flanders. Ferrand lost the battle and was taken
prisoner in 1214. In 1226 Johanna negotiated the Peace of Melun. In 1333 Ferrand
died, and Johanna remarried in 1237 to Thomas of Savoie. She had no children and
was succeeded by sister, Marguerite II.
1205-12 Sovereign Countess Elisabeth de Luxembourg of Saint-Pôl
She was daughter of Hugues IV Camp d'Avesnes (d. 1205), and married Gaucher III,
seigneur de Châtillon, de Troissy, de Montjay, de Crécy and de Pierrefons (d.
1219). Succeeded by son, Gui I, who married Agnès, Countess of Nevers and
Auxerre. She lived (1179-1263).
1207-57 Sovereign Countess Mahaut I de Courtenay of Nevers, d'Auxerre and
Tonnerre
Daughter of Comtesse Agnès and Pierre de Courtenay Count of Namur 1212, Emperor
of Constantinople 1217, she married Hervé IV de Donzy, Seigneur de Donzy and Guy
IV, Count de Forez.
1209-19 Regent Dowager Countess Garsende de Sabran of Provence
She was regent for Ramón Berenguer IV together with King Pedro of Aragón
(1209-13), Count Sancho de Bouillon (1213-16) and Nuño Sánchez (1213-121..).
1214-circa 60 Sovereign Countess Mahaut II of Dammartin and Boulogne
Also known as Mathilde, she succeeded mother, Countess Ide, who ruled
(1173-1214). Her mother was daughter of Countess Marie (1159-69) who again was
daughter of Countess Mahaut I (circa 1125-51). Mahaut was married to Count
Philippe Hurepel de Clermont-en-Beauvais, Mortain, Aumale, Dammartin et Boulogne
(the latter by the right of his wife) (son of King Philippe II Augusta of France)
and in 1238 to King Alfonso III of Portugal (1210-79). She was succeeded by
daughter, Jeanne, and lived (1190/95-circa 1260).
1215-42 Sovereign Dame Mahaut I of Bourbon
She was the heir of Archambaud V (1116-71), and first married Gautier de Vienne,
who ruled Bourbon (1171-1215). She married Gui II de Dampierre and had two
daughters, Mahaut II de Dampierre and Agnes. She was succeeded by Archambaud VII
upon her death in 1242.
1218-30 Sovereign Countess Marguerite de Champagne-Blois of Blois and Châteaudun
Together with sister, she succeeded the son of their brother, Thibaut VI, Her
first husband, Hugo III, Seigneur d'Oisy, Vicomte von Cambrai died in 1189, and
three years later she married Otto I. von Hohenstaufen Pfalzgraf von Burgundy
(1166/73-1200). Two years after his death she married Walter II d'Avesnes,
Seigneur de Guise et Conde (d. 1243/46). She was succeeded by daughter Marie
d'Avesnes Countess de Blois, Dame d'Avesmes and de Guise (circa 1203-30-41).
Marguerite lived (1164-1230).
1218-48 Sovereign Countess Isabelle de Champagne-Blois of Chartres and
Romorantin
Succeeded her nephew together with her sister, Marguerite. She was first married
to Sulpice d'Amboise and secondly to Jean de Montmirail, Vicomte Cambrai. (d.
1248).
1218-23 Sovereign Countess Petronille of Bar-sur-Seine
Her father, Milon II, count of Bar-sur-Seine, died in 1191, She was his only
child, and was married to Hugues du Puiset, Vicomte de Chartres.
1218 Regent Duchess Alice de Vergy of Bourgogne
The widow of Eudes III she was regent for Hugues VI, Duke of Burgundy, Count of
Chalon, Titular King of Thessalonica etc. Eudes III was first married to
Countess Teresa of Portugal (1157-1218) until their divorce in 1195). Eudes and
Alice had four children.
1219-20 Sovereign Countess Alice of Alençon
Succeeded Robert IV and in the period 1220-68 the county was ruled by the kings
of France.
1221-51 Sovereign Countess Marie of Ponthieu
Succeeded father Guillaume III and reigned jointly with Count Simon de Dammartin
d'Aumale and Mathieu de Montorenci until his death in 1250. Succeeded by
daughter Jeanne de Dammartin.
1224-39 Titular Countess Alix of Maçon
Succeeded grandfather Guilllaume, but the county was occupied by France in 1224.
She died 1252.
1226-42 Regent Dowager Queen Blance de Castilla of France
1240-52 Sovereign Countess of Valois
1248-52 (†) Regent of France
She governed France as regent during the minorship of her son Louis IX, and then
again during his absence due to the 7th crusade. Of noble birth, Blanche was in
the position to benefit from an education otherwise unavailable to women, or to
most men. Her nobility and its accompanying education and wealth probably helped
ensure the survival of her songs through the centuries. She lived (1187-1252).
1228-32 Sovereign Duchess Guillemots de Neuchâtel of Montpellier
Succeeded her great-grandfather Thierry III.
Until 1228 Sovereign Dame Mahaut I de Bourbon of Dampierre-sur-label et Bourbon
Daughter of Archibald VII de Bourbon and Adelheid de Bourgogne-Dijon. She
married Gauche IV. Seigneur d'Ivrea-Vienne-Salins and Guido II, Seigneur de
Dampierre-sur-label (d. 1228). Mother of a number of children (d. 1228).
1230-41 Sovereign Countess Marie d'Avenes of Blois and Chartres, Dame de Guise,
d'Avesnes, Châteaurenault, Leuze, Landrechies et Trelon
Succeeded mother, Marguerite as Countess and father as Dame de Guise Marie was
married to Hugo I de Chatillon-sur-Marne, Count de Saint-Pôl, and was succeeded
by son, Jean I. She lived (circa 1203-41).
1234-52 Joint Sovereign Countess Jeanne of Boulogne, Clermont and d'Aumale
Daughter of Countess Mahaut-Mathilde de Dammartin and Boulogne and Philippe de
France, Count de Clermont, Mortain, d'Aumale and Boulogne et Dammartin. Her
brother, Alberic, Count de Dammartin, Clermont et d'Aumale, gave his lands to
her and moved to England! She lived (1219-54).
1235-72 Sovereign Countess Yolande de Dreux of Penthièvre and Porhoët
She was daughter of Jean I of Bretagne (1217-86), and married Hugues IX de
Lusignan, Comte de la Marche et d'Angoulême.
1239-52 Sovereign Countess Jeanne de Dammartin of Aumale
Succeeded father Simon and reigned jointly with husband, King Fernando of
Castilla.
1244-78 Sovereign Countess Béatrice Bérenguer of Provence and Forcalquier
She was daughter of Raymond Bérenguer IV. Her older sisters Marguerite, Blance
and Eleanore were married to king Louis IX of France, the Holy Roman Emperor,
and Henry III of England respectively, and they challenged their fateher's will
making the youngest the general heir. Béatrice was married to Charles d'Anjou,
King of Napoli, who became Count of Provence and later also King of Napoli and
Sicilia. The mother of five children, she lived (1234-67).
1244-circa 49 Sovereign Countess Mascarose I of Armagnc
Her father, Géraud IV Trancaléon was count 1190-1219, and she succeeded brother
Bernard V. She was joint ruler with husband Arnaud Otton de Lomagne (d. 1256)
and after her death, they were succeeded by their daughter Mascarose II.
Mascarose I (d. circa 1249).
1246 Regent Dowager Countess Marguerite II de France of Flanders and Rethel (The
Netherlands and France)
1261-82 Sovereign Countess Palatine of Bourgogne and Countess of Artois and
Salins
Daughter of King Philippe V of France and Jeanne I de She married Louis II de
Nevers, Count of Flanders and Rethel, who fell in battle in 1346 and regent for
their son Louis II de Male (1330-84) She remained politically active to her
death, and lived (circa 1312-82).
1248-1311 Sovereign Countess Beatrix of Montfort-L'Amauri
Only child of Jean I de Montfort-l'Amaury and Jeanne de Châteaudun, and married
to Robert IV de Dreux. Succeeded by daughter, Yolande de Dreux.
1248-79 Sovereign Countess Palatine Adelheide de Meran of Franche-Comté and
Upper Burgundy
Also known as Alix, she succeeded father, Otto III de Meran and reigned together
with two husbands Hugues de Châlons until his death in 1266 and then with
Philippe de Savoie (d. 1285). She was succeeded by son Otto IV. She lived
(1209-79).
1249-55/56 Sovereign Countess Mascarose II of Armagnc
Succeeded mother, Mascarose I, and reigned jointly with husband, Eskivat de
Chabannais, Count of Bigorre until his death in 1251. She was succeeded by a
distant relative.
1249-52 Sovereign Countess Marie de Lusignan of Eu, Dame de Melle, Chize, Civray
and Benais
Succeeded father Roul III de Lusignan-Issoudun and reigned jointly with husband
Alphonse de Brienne. Succeeded by son, Jean II. She lived (circa 1220-60).
1249-71 Sovereign Countess Jeanne of Champagne
Succeeded father Raymond VII and reigned jointly with son-in-law Alphonse de
Valois, Count de Pouitou, the son of Louis VIII.
1249-71 Sovereign Countess Jeanne of Toulouse, Dame de Castres et Mirepoix
The only daughter and heir of her father, Raimondo VII and his first wife,
Sancha of Aragon. Her marriage to Alphonse de France, Count de Poiters
(1220-71), son of King Louis VIII, was very happy. Her only daughter died and
therefore the county revered to the crown after her death. She lived (1220-71).
1249-60 Sovereign VicountessClémence of Chateaudun, Dame de Mondoubleau and
Saint Calais
Succeeded under the regency of her mother after her father Geoffroy VI, was lost
in the holy land. He had also taken part in the crusades in 1225 and 1229. In
1238 the Count of Champagne ceded the suzerainty of among others Châteaudun to
the king of France, and the vicscounty therefore became a direct fief of the
crown. Clémence was married to Robert de Dreux, and was succeeded by the oldest
daughter, Alix I.
1249-53 Regent Dowager VicountessClémence des Roches of Chateaudun
Regent for daughter, Clémence de Chateaudun, after the death of her second
husband Geoffroy VI. She might also have been regent during his participations
in crusades in 1225, 1229 in warfare in 1240 and 1242 and during his final
journey to Jerusalem from 1248. Clémence's first husband was Thibault VI de
Blois and she has brought along the Seigneurities of Chateau de Loir, Mayet, de
la Suze and Loupelande in her marriage.
1200-05 Sovereign Countess Palatine Jeanne of Bourgogne
She was daughter of Otton I et de Marguerite de Champagne, Comtesse Palatine de
Bourgogne (1200-1205) and succeeded by sister Beatix II (1192-1231). She lived
(1191-1205).
1200-31 Sovereign Countess Beatrix II of Franche-Comté
1205-31 Countess Palatine de Bourgogne
Succeeded father, Otto I in Franche-Comté and sister in Bourgogne, and reigned
jointly with husband Duke Otto II de Meran (1208-34), who was succeeded by their
son, Otto III de Meran and Franche-Comté. She lived (1192-1231).
1201 Pretender Philippine de Champagne-Jerusalem of Champagne
She was the younger daughter of Henri de Champagne and Queen Isabella I of
Jerusalem, she claimed the county of Champagne after the death of her cousin,
Thibaut, jointly with her older sister, Queen Alice of Jerusalem, and the fights
over the inheritance lasted about a quarter of a century. Some of the nobles and
prelates supported Philippa and her sister, others supported Queen Blanca of
Castilla and her son. In 1221 both sisters seceded their claims in exchange of a
large payment. But in 1227 they made a new attempt and new fights erupted. But
in 1234 the inheritance was finally settled, the sisters were granted a large
sum of money and Alice had the treaty confirmed by her son, Henri of Cyprus and
her daughters Maria and Isabella. Philippa was married to Sire Erard III de
Brienne, mother of seven children, and lived (circa 1195- 1250).
1202-circa 44 Sovereign Countess Isabelle Taillefer of Angoulême
She was daughter of Adémer III Taillefer, who was pretender to the county
(1181-1202) against his sister, Countess Mahaut. After his death she claimed the
title, 6 years before Mahaut died. First married to King John without Land of
England 1216, when he died when she was visiting Queen Blance in Paris, after
having returned to England she gave birth to a daughter. After the coronation of
her 8 year old son, Henry, she was asked by the Barons to leave England and she
returned to her own lands. Here she arranged for her daughter to marry Hugues X
de Lusignan, Count de La Marche, to whom she was engaged before her marriage to
John, but married him herself in 1218. She was very powerful in both counties
thoug her husband was titular co-ruler. He and her son, Henry III, were engaged
in fights against the French king in 1242. The following year she devided her
possessions among those of her 13 children who had survived infancy, and joined
the Chapter of Fontrevault. After her death her husband joined one of the crucades
and died in the Holy Land in 1249. She lived (1186-1246).
1202-after 05 Regent Countess Alice of Angoulême
Widow of the pretender, Adémer Taillefer to the county, she was regent for
daughter, Isabelle.
1203-21 Sovereign Countess Alix de Bretagne
1221-37 Regent
She succeeded the older son of her mother, Constance, and her first husband,
Arthur I. Her husband, Pierre I was count 1213-21. He was also count of
Penthièvre and Richmond. Their son, Jean I the Read succeeded as count when his
father died, with her as regent. She died 1250.
1203-28 Sovereign Countess Beatrice de Thiers of Chalons-sur-Saône and Beaune
Succeeded father Guillaume VI and Married Etienne III de Bourgogne (1170-1240).
After her death in 1228, the county was inherited by son, Jean I (1190-1266).
1205-44 Sovereign Countess Jeanne de Constantinople of Flanders Hainault and
Namur (Belgium and France)
She was the oldest daughter of Boudewijn IX. In 1212 she married to Ferrand of
Portugal. As he refused to support king Philippe II of France during an attack
on England, the latter attacked Flanders. Ferrand lost the battle and was taken
prisoner in 1214. In 1226 Johanna negotiated the Peace of Melun. In 1333 Ferrand
died, and Johanna remarried in 1237 to Thomas of Savoie. She had no children and
was succeeded by sister, Marguerite II.
1205-12 Sovereign Countess Elisabeth de Luxembourg of Saint-Pôl
She was daughter of Hugues IV Camp d'Avesnes (d. 1205), and married Gaucher III,
seigneur de Châtillon, de Troissy, de Montjay, de Crécy and de Pierrefons (d.
1219). Succeeded by son, Gui I, who married Agnès, Countess of Nevers and
Auxerre. She lived (1179-1263).
1207-57 Sovereign Countess Mahaut I de Courtenay of Nevers, d'Auxerre and
Tonnerre
Daughter of Comtesse Agnès and Pierre de Courtenay Count of Namur 1212, Emperor
of Constantinople 1217, she married Hervé IV de Donzy, Seigneur de Donzy and Guy
IV, Count de Forez.
1209-19 Regent Dowager Countess Garsende de Sabran of Provence
She was regent for Ramón Berenguer IV together with King Pedro of Aragón
(1209-13), Count Sancho de Bouillon (1213-16) and Nuño Sánchez (1213-121..).
1214-circa 60 Sovereign Countess Mahaut II of Dammartin and Boulogne
Also known as Mathilde, she succeeded mother, Countess Ide, who ruled
(1173-1214). Her mother was daughter of Countess Marie (1159-69) who again was
daughter of Countess Mahaut I (circa 1125-51). Mahaut was married to Count
Philippe Hurepel de Clermont-en-Beauvais, Mortain, Aumale, Dammartin et Boulogne
(the latter by the right of his wife) (son of King Philippe II Augusta of France)
and in 1238 to King Alfonso III of Portugal (1210-79). She was succeeded by
daughter, Jeanne, and lived (1190/95-circa 1260).
1215-42 Sovereign Dame Mahaut I of Bourbon
She was the heir of Archambaud V (1116-71), and first married Gautier de Vienne,
who ruled Bourbon (1171-1215). She married Gui II de Dampierre and had two
daughters, Mahaut II de Dampierre and Agnes. She was succeeded by Archambaud VII
upon her death in 1242.
1218-30 Sovereign Countess Marguerite de Champagne-Blois of Blois and Châteaudun
Together with sister, she succeeded the son of their brother, Thibaut VI, Her
first husband, Hugo III, Seigneur d'Oisy, Vicomte von Cambrai died in 1189, and
three years later she married Otto I. von Hohenstaufen Pfalzgraf von Burgundy
(1166/73-1200). Two years after his death she married Walter II d'Avesnes,
Seigneur de Guise et Conde (d. 1243/46). She was succeeded by daughter Marie
d'Avesnes Countess de Blois, Dame d'Avesmes and de Guise (circa 1203-30-41).
Marguerite lived (1164-1230).
1218-48 Sovereign Countess Isabelle de Champagne-Blois of Chartres and
Romorantin
Succeeded her nephew together with her sister, Marguerite. She was first married
to Sulpice d'Amboise and secondly to Jean de Montmirail, Vicomte Cambrai. (d.
1248).
1218-23 Sovereign Countess Petronille of Bar-sur-Seine
Her father, Milon II, count of Bar-sur-Seine, died in 1191, She was his only
child, and was married to Hugues du Puiset, Vicomte de Chartres.
1218 Regent Duchess Alice de Vergy of Bourgogne
The widow of Eudes III she was regent for Hugues VI, Duke of Burgundy, Count of
Chalon, Titular King of Thessalonica etc. Eudes III was first married to
Countess Teresa of Portugal (1157-1218) until their divorce in 1195). Eudes and
Alice had four children.
1219-20 Sovereign Countess Alice of Alençon
Succeeded Robert IV and in the period 1220-68 the county was ruled by the kings
of France.
1221-51 Sovereign Countess Marie of Ponthieu
Succeeded father Guillaume III and reigned jointly with Count Simon de Dammartin
d'Aumale and Mathieu de Montorenci until his death in 1250. Succeeded by
daughter Jeanne de Dammartin.
1224-39 Titular Countess Alix of Maçon
Succeeded grandfather Guilllaume, but the county was occupied by France in 1224.
She died 1252.
1226-42 Regent Dowager Queen Blance de Castilla of France
1240-52 Sovereign Countess of Valois
1248-52 (†) Regent of France
She governed France as regent during the minorship of her son Louis IX, and then
again during his absence due to the 7th crusade. Of noble birth, Blanche was in
the position to benefit from an education otherwise unavailable to women, or to
most men. Her nobility and its accompanying education and wealth probably helped
ensure the survival of her songs through the centuries. She lived (1187-1252).
1228-32 Sovereign Duchess Guillemots de Neuchâtel of Montpellier
Succeeded her great-grandfather Thierry III.
Until 1228 Sovereign Dame Mahaut I de Bourbon of Dampierre-sur-label et Bourbon
Daughter of Archibald VII de Bourbon and Adelheid de Bourgogne-Dijon. She
married Gauche IV. Seigneur d'Ivrea-Vienne-Salins and Guido II, Seigneur de
Dampierre-sur-label (d. 1228). Mother of a number of children (d. 1228).
1230-41 Sovereign Countess Marie d'Avenes of Blois and Chartres, Dame de Guise,
d'Avesnes, Châteaurenault, Leuze, Landrechies et Trelon
Succeeded mother, Marguerite as Countess and father as Dame de Guise Marie was
married to Hugo I de Chatillon-sur-Marne, Count de Saint-Pôl, and was succeeded
by son, Jean I. She lived (circa 1203-41).
1234-52 Joint Sovereign Countess Jeanne of Boulogne, Clermont and d'Aumale
Daughter of Countess Mahaut-Mathilde de Dammartin and Boulogne and Philippe de
France, Count de Clermont, Mortain, d'Aumale and Boulogne et Dammartin. Her
brother, Alberic, Count de Dammartin, Clermont et d'Aumale, gave his lands to
her and moved to England! She lived (1219-54).
1235-72 Sovereign Countess Yolande de Dreux of Penthièvre and Porhoët
She was daughter of Jean I of Bretagne (1217-86), and married Hugues IX de
Lusignan, Comte de la Marche et d'Angoulême.
1239-52 Sovereign Countess Jeanne de Dammartin of Aumale
Succeeded father Simon and reigned jointly with husband, King Fernando of
Castilla.
1244-78 Sovereign Countess Béatrice Bérenguer of Provence and Forcalquier
She was daughter of Raymond Bérenguer IV. Her older sisters Marguerite, Blance
and Eleanore were married to king Louis IX of France, the Holy Roman Emperor,
and Henry III of England respectively, and they challenged their fateher's will
making the youngest the general heir. Béatrice was married to Charles d'Anjou,
King of Napoli, who became Count of Provence and later also King of Napoli and
Sicilia. The mother of five children, she lived (1234-67).
1244-circa 49 Sovereign Countess Mascarose I of Armagnc
Her father, Géraud IV Trancaléon was count 1190-1219, and she succeeded brother
Bernard V. She was joint ruler with husband Arnaud Otton de Lomagne (d. 1256)
and after her death, they were succeeded by their daughter Mascarose II.
Mascarose I (d. circa 1249).
1246 Regent Dowager Countess Marguerite II de France of Flanders and Rethel (The
Netherlands and France)
1261-82 Sovereign Countess Palatine of Bourgogne and Countess of Artois and
Salins
Daughter of King Philippe V of France and Jeanne I de She married Louis II de
Nevers, Count of Flanders and Rethel, who fell in battle in 1346 and regent for
their son Louis II de Male (1330-84) She remained politically active to her
death, and lived (circa 1312-82).
1248-1311 Sovereign Countess Beatrix of Montfort-L'Amauri
Only child of Jean I de Montfort-l'Amaury and Jeanne de Châteaudun, and married
to Robert IV de Dreux. Succeeded by daughter, Yolande de Dreux.
1248-79 Sovereign Countess Palatine Adelheide de Meran of Franche-Comté and
Upper Burgundy
Also known as Alix, she succeeded father, Otto III de Meran and reigned together
with two husbands Hugues de Châlons until his death in 1266 and then with
Philippe de Savoie (d. 1285). She was succeeded by son Otto IV. She lived
(1209-79).
1249-55/56 Sovereign Countess Mascarose II of Armagnc
Succeeded mother, Mascarose I, and reigned jointly with husband, Eskivat de
Chabannais, Count of Bigorre until his death in 1251. She was succeeded by a
distant relative.
1249-62 Sovereign Countess Mahaut II de Dampierre of Bourbon, Baroness of Donzy,
Perche-Gouet and Montmirail
1257-61 Sovereign Countess of Nevers
Daughter of Dame Mahaut I and Gui II de Dampierre. She succeeded baron
Archambaud VII, who had succeeded her mother in 1142. In Nevers she succeeded
her grandmother, Mahaut de Courtenay (1182-1257). Mahaut was joint ruler with
husband, Eudes de Bourgogne, Count de Nevers and Auxerre. (1230-66/69), Her only
daughter, Yolande, was heir of Nevers, Donzy, Tonnerre und Ricays (1248-80) and
was married Count Jean Tristan de Valois (1250-70). In Bourbon Mahaut was
succeeded by her sister; Agnés. Mahaut lived (1234-62).
1249-52 Sovereign Countess Marie de Lusignan of Eu, Dame de Melle, Chize, Civray
and Benais
Succeeded father Roul III de Lusignan-Issoudun and reigned jointly with husband
Alphonse de Brienne. Succeeded by son, Jean II. She lived (circa 1220-60).
1249-71 Sovereign Countess Jeanne of Champagne
Succeeded father Raymond VII and reigned jointly with son-in-law Alphonse de
Valois, Count de Pouitou, the son of Louis VIII.
1249-71 Sovereign Countess Jeanne of Toulouse, Dame de Castres et Mirepoix
The only daughter and heir of her father, Raimondo VII and his first wife,
Sancha of Aragon. Her marriage to Alphonse de France, Count de Poiters
(1220-71), son of King Louis VIII, was very happy. Her only daughter died and
therefore the county revered to the crown after her death. She lived (1220-71).
1249-60 Sovereign Vicountess Clémence of Chateaudun, Dame de Mondoubleau and
Saint Calais
Succeeded under the regency of her mother after her father Geoffroy VI, was lost
in the holy land. He had also taken part in the crusades in 1225 and 1229. In
1238 the Count of Champagne ceded the suzerainty of among others Châteaudun to
the king of France, and the vicscounty therefore became a direct fief of the
crown. Clémence was married to Robert de Dreux, and was succeeded by the oldest
daughter, Alix I.
<<<<
1249-53 Regent Dowager Vicountess Clémence des Roches of Chateaudun
Regent for daughter, Clémence de Chateaudun, after the death of her second
husband Geoffroy VI. She might also have been regent during his participations
in crusades in 1225, 1229 in warfare in 1240 and 1242 and during his final
journey to Jerusalem from 1248. Clémence's first husband was Thibault VI de
Blois and she has brought along the Seigneurities of Chateau de Loir, Mayet, de
la Suze and Loupelande in her marriage.
1251-79 Sovereign Countess Jeanne de Dammartin of Ponthieu
Succeeded mother, Marie and reigned together with husband, Jean II de
Nesle-falvi. Succeeded by daughter, Leonor de Castilla, Queen of England.
1253-5.. Regent Dowager Princess Marguerite de Dampierre-Bourbon of Navarra and
Champagne (Spain and France)
After the death of her husband, Thibaut, who succeeded his father as Count of
Champagne and mother, Queen Blanca, as king of Navarra, Marguerite was regent
for her son Thibaut II (also Thibaud V de Champagne). She (d. 1256).
1255.... Regent Dowager Duchess Catherine van Limburg of Haute-Lorraine (Ober-Lothringen)
Daughter of Walram IV of Limburg-Luxemburg and Ermensinde II of Luxembourg, as
widow of Duke Matthias II, she was regent for her son, Friedrich III
(1238-1303). Her rule was marked by the fightings between Bar, Luxembourg and
Champagne who all claimed the lordship of Ligny and she also engaged in fighting
with Neufchatel in Switzerland. In 1255 her son was declared free of her
guardianship, and she died shortly after. Catherine lived (circa 1215-circa 1255).
.
1257-62 Sovereign Countess Mahaut II de Bourgogne of Auxerre, Tonnerre and
Nevers, Dame de Bourbon, Perche-Goët, Montjoy, Thorigny, Broigny, et de
Saint-Aignan, Baroness de Donzy
The daughter of Yolande de Châtillon-sur-Marne and Archambault IX de Dampierre,
Seigneur de Bourbon, she succeeded her great-grandmother, Mahaut I, (Countess of
Nevers 1199, Countess of Auxerre and Tonnerre 1219) and was joint ruler with her
husband Eudes de Bourgogne (d. 1269). After Mahaut's death in 1262, her husband
administered the counties until his death, and after that they remained vacant
until her three daughters received their inheritance in 1273. Alix de Bourgogne
became Countess of Auxerre; Yolande became Countess of Nevers and Marguerite
Countess of Tonnerre. Mahaut lived (1249-62).
1260-1300 Sovereign VicountessAlix I de Dreux of Chateaudun, Dame de
Mondoubleau and Saint Calais
Succeeded mother, Clémence de Chateaudun, and reigned under the regency of her
uncle, Simon de Dreux, the brother of her father, Robert de Dreux. She married
Raoul de Clermont, Seigneur de Nesle, who died in battle 1302. She was succeeded
by her only daughter, Alix II, and lived (1255-1300).
1261-82 Sovereign Countess Marguerite I of Bourgogne
Succeeded son of sister Jeanne II. Marguerite I married Louis II, Count of
Flanders. The husbands of her daughter, Marguerite: Philippe de Rouvre and
Philippe de France were Dukes of Bourgogne in the same period.
1262-88 Sovereign Countess Agnes de Dampierre of Bourbon
Succeeded sister, Mahaut II. She reigned jointly with husbands Jean de Bourgogne
(d. 1268) and Robert I d'Artois. Succeeded by daughter Béatrix de Bourgogne.
1263-91 Sovereign Countess Marie of Limoges
Succeeded father Gui VI le Preux and reigned jointly with husband Duke Arthur de
Bretagne (from 1305). He was succeeded in Limonges by their son, Jean I in 1301.
1265-80 Sovereign Countess Yolande de Bourgogne of Nevers (France/Belgium)
Daughter of Eudes de Bourgogne and Mahaut II de Bourgogne of Auxerre, Nevers,
Auxerre and Tonnerre, and reigned jointly with her first husband Jean Tristan de
France, Count de Nevers and Valois (1250-70), the son of king Louis IX (1215-70)
and Marguerite de Provence. After Jean's death she reigned jointly with second
husband, Robert de Dampierre, Count de Flanders (1280-1332). Yolande's sisters
succeeded in Auxerre and Tonnerre.
1265-97 Sovereign Baroness and Dame Isabelle of Beaujeu
The daughter of , Humbert V, who was killed in Egypt 1250 and Marguerite de
Bauge, Dame de Miribel (d. ca 1252), she succeeded her brother, and was married
to Isabelle, Count Simon II de Semur-en-Brionnais, seigneur de Luzy; and Renaud
d'Albon, Count de Forez. Another of her sisters, Sibylle, were Dame de
Belleroche. Isabelle (d. 1297).
1268-77 Sovereign Countess Béatrix I of Charolais, Dame de Bourbon et Saint-Just
1268-1310 Daughter of Jean II de Charolais (d. 1268) and Agnès, Dame de Bourbon
(d. 1283) and married to Robert, Clermont-en-Beauvaisis.
1260/70 Regent Dowager Countess Beatrix de Savoie of Viennois, d'Albon, Grenoble
and Gap
After the death of her husband, Guigues VII, Dauphin de Viennois, Comte d'Albon
et Grenoble (circa 1225-1269/70) she was regent for son, Jean. She was Dame de
Faucigny in her own right and lived (circa 1237-1310).
1273-80 Sovereign Countess Yolande de Bourgogne of Nevers
The oldest daughter Mahaut II de Dampierre of Nevers, d'Auxerre et de Tonnerre
(1249-57-62) and Eudes de Bourgogne (d. 1269), she and her two sisters divided
the inheritance in 1173. She first married Jean Tristan of France, Count of
Valois (d. 1270), secondly Robert de Béthune, the future Count of Flanders. She
was succeeded by her son Louis I (1280-1322), who married Countess Jeanne de
Rethel.
1273-93 Sovereign Countess Marguerite de Bourgogne of Tonnerre
The second daughter of Mahaut II de Dampierre, she was married to Charles
d'Anjou, King of Sicily and Napoli, Count of Anjou, Maine and Tonnerre. In 1293
she lègue the county to her nephew, Guillaume de Chalon-Auxerre (1279-1304), son
of her sister Alix She lived (1254-93).
1273-79 Sovereign Countess Alix de Bourgogne of Auxerre
The youngest daughter of Mahaut II, she was joint ruler with husband Jean I de
Châlons, sire de Rochefort (1243-76-90-1309), who was succeeded by their
son,Guillaume de Chalon-Auxerre, after her death. Alix lived (1254-90).
1274-1305 Queen Regnant Juana I of Navarra, Countess of Champagne and Brie (Spain
and France)
Also known as Jeanne, she was married to king Philippe V of France (1268-1314),
who became king of Navarra by the right of his wife. She left him to reign in
Navarra and stayed in Champagne. Succeeded by her son, Louis X, king of France
and Navarra. She lived (1272-1305).
1274-76 Regent Dowager Queen Blance d'Artois of Navarra and Champagne (Spain
and France)
After the death of her husband Henri III, she was regent for daughter Juana I. She
left the administration of Navarra to King Philippe III of England after her
marriage to Edmond of Lancaster, brother of Edward I of England, and they
administered Champagne until Juana came of age in 1284.
1279-92 Sovereign Countess Jeanne de Chatillon of Blois, Chartres, de Dunois,
Dame de Châtillon, d'Avesness and de Crécy
Succeeded father Jean I de Chatillon, count of Blois and Chartres (1241-79). She
married count Pierre d'Alençon, and since she had no children, she was succeeded
by her German cousin Hugues de Chatillon, and (d. 1291/92).
1279-90 Sovereign Countess Leonor de Castilla of Ponthièu and Montreuil
Succeeded mother Jeanne de Dammartin and married to king Edward I of England
(1239-72-1307) and thus the county was inherited by the kings of England. Also
known as Queen Eleonor of Castille, she gave birth to sixteen children, six of
whom survived into adulthood, but only two or three of whom outlived their
parents. Her father was Fernando III of Castilla and Leon, and lived
(1244-1290).
1279-86 Sovereign Countess Jeanne of Blois, Chartres and Dunois, Dame of
Châteaurenault, Avesnes, Guise et Grécy
Succeeded father, Jean I and was married to Pierre I d'Alencon, who was also
styled Count of Blois. In 1286 she sold the county to the king of France. She
lived (1279-91).
1281-1301 Sovereign Countess Anne of Viennois and Dauphiné
Succeeded nephew, Jean I, and reigned jointly with husband, Humbert I de la Tour
du Pin. Succeeded by husband, Jean II.
1281-... Sovereign Countess Jeanne de Dreux of Braine
Daughter of Robert IV de Dreux and Beatrix de Montfort. Married to Count Jean IV
de Roussy and Jean de Bar, Seigneur de Puisaye.
1283-1332 Sovereign Countess Guillemette de Neufchâtel of Montbéllard
Succeeded her great-grandfather Thierry III (1237-82) and reigned jointly with
husband Renaud de Bourgogne until his death in 1321.
1283-1308 Titular Empress Catherina I de Courtenay of Constantinople (Turkey),
Dame of Courtenay
Also Sovereign Princess of Achaia (Albaina) and Dame de Courtenay
Daughter of Philippe, the son of Emperor Boudewijn, who was deposed 1261.
Plans were made to marry her to Freiderich of Sicilia, but nothing came of it.
The pope interfered, there were also attempts to have her marry the heir to the
Byzantine throne, Michael IX, but she declined because the contract was not
lucrative enough for her, and in 1302 she married Count Charles I de Valois
(1270-1325), who was planning a cruzade against Byzantine when she died. Mother
of three daughters and a son, who died just before herself, and she was
therefore succeeded by the oldest, Catherine II, as heir to the Latin Empire of
the East. Catharine I lived (1274-1308).
1283-84 Sovereign Countess Constancede Moncada of Bigorre
Succeeded Eskivat de Chabannais, who had succeeded their grandmother, Countess
Petronille, (1190-1251). Eskivat was grandson of Petronille and her second
husband, Gui de Montfort and Constance was granddaughter of Petronille and her
fourth husband, Boson de Mastas. Constance's first husband, Henry Plantagenet of
Cornwall, the son of Richard, Earl of Cornwall and King of The Romans and Isabel
Marshal, was murdered by his Montfort cousins at Viterbo 1271. She was joint
ruler with her husband, Lori, who reigned until 1292. (d. 1310).
1288-1310 Sovereign Dame Beatrix de Bourgogne of Bourbon
Succeeded mother, Dame Agnès and reigned jointly with Robert II de France, Count
de Clermont (d. 1317). Succeeded by son Louis I, who was given the title of Duke
de Bourbon.
1290-99 Sovereign Countess Marguerite of Anjou and Maine
Succeeded father Charles II. She reigned jointly with husband, Charles II
(1270-1325), , Count of Valois, Titular King of Aragon, Valencia and Barcelona,
Titular Emperor of Constantinople, who was succeeded by their son in Anjou and
Maine in 1313 and after his death also in Valois and Chartres. He became king
Philippe VI in 1328.
1290 Sovereign Countess Marguerite of Béarn
Succeeded father, Gaston VII and in 1290 her husband, Roger Bernhard, Count of
Foix also became count of Béarn. Roger Bernard III., who, more famous as a poet
than as a warrior, was taken prisoner both by Philip III. of France and by Peter
III. of Aragon. Their marriage led to the outbreak of a long feud between the
houses of Foix and Armagnac; a quarrel which was continued by Roger Bernards son
and successor, Gaston I., who became count in 1302, inheriting both Foix and
Beam. Becoming embroiled with the French king, Philip IV., in consequence of the
struggle with the count of Armagnac, Gaston was imprisoned in Paris; but quickly
regaining his freedom he accompanied King Louis X. on an expedition into
Flanders in 1315, and died on his return to France in the same year.
1300-20 Sovereign Vicountess Alix II de Clermont of Chateaudun, Dame de
Mondoubleau and Saint Calais
Succeeded mother, Alix I de Dreux. Her first husband was Guillaume de Dampierre
of Flanders, Seigneur de Tenremonde et de Richebourg - younger son of the Count
Guy de Dampierre of Flanders - and the second Jean de Chalon, Seigneur d'Arly.
In 1320 she resigned her title in favour of her son Jean de Dampirre-Flandres,
who was succeeded by his oldest daughter, Marie, in 1325. Alix II (d. 1330).
1302-29 Sovereign Countess Mahaut of Artois, Dame de Conches (Belgium - France)
1302-21 Regent Dowager Countess of Bourgogne
She succeeded father, Robert II, under the suzerainty of the French king. She
was a forceful administrator and defeated revolts of the nobles. She was married
to Othon IV of Bourgogne (1248-1302) and was succeeded by sister Jeanne I.
Mahaut lived (1268-1329).
1304-08 Sovereign Vicountess Marguerite de Bourgogne of Tonnerre
Daughter of Mahaut de Tonnerre and Duke Eudes de Bourgogne. The second wife of
Charles I of France, Count d'Anjou et du Maine, Provence et de Forcalquier etc.
King of Sicilia (1265), Titular King of Jerusalem (1267) and King of Napoli and
Jerusalem (1265). Marguerite lived (1249-1308).
1304-11 Sovereign Countess Marguerite of Touraine
Succeeded father, Raymond VII and reigned jointly with husband, Bernard II de
Comminges, who was succeeded by their son, Jean in 1335 and then by their
daughter Cécile.
1306-44 Sovereign Countess Marguerite of Soissons
Daughter of Hugues, married to Jean seigneur de Beaumont, Valenciennes and Condé.
1308-46 Sovereign Dame Catherine II de Valois of Courtenay, Blacon and Montargie and Titular Empress of Constantinople
1333-46 Sovereign Princess of Achaia (Morea) (Greece)
1341-46 Governor of Kephalliena (Greek Island-State)
She inherited the title of titular Empress from her mother, Chatherine I de
Courtenay (1283-1308), and was involved in the intrigues of the court of
Giovanna I of Napoli and was probably involved the murder of Giovanna's husband,
Andreas of Hungary. She was married to Philippe II de Tarent, and all of her
three sons succeeded him as Prince of Tarent. Her father was king Charles I of
France, and she lived (1301-46).
1315-29 Sovereign Countess Jeanne I de Châlons of Franche-Comté and
Bourgogne
1329 Sovereign Countess of Artois, Flanders and Brabant (France and Belgium)
In Artois, she was known as Jeanne II. Succeeded Robert and married to King
Philippe V of France, who succeeded to the throne in 1317, after having acted as
regent for his infant nephew, Jean I, who died after a few months. She succeeded
her father Otto I and in Artois etc, she succeeded her sister, Mahaut. Her only
son died in 1317 and she was succeeded by the oldest of her three daughters,
Jeanne II and III in all her possessions. She lived (1294-1329).
1316-60 Sovereign Countess Béatrix de Bourbon of Charolais
Daughter of Jean comte de Charolais, seigneur de Saint-Just and Jeanne dame
d'Argiès et de Calku and married to Jean I comte d'Armagnac, who died 1373.
1316 Regent Dowager Queen Clemence d'Anjou-Napoli of France
When her husband Louis X (1289-1314-16) died she was pregnant, making it
impossible to know Louis's successor until the time his child was born. If the
child were a son, he would succeed Louis as king: had the child been a daughter,
Louis would have been succeeded by his brother Philip V. (John I's half-sister
Jeanne, as a female, could not succeed to the throne of France; she did, however,
retain rights in the succession of Navarre). She was joint regent with her
brother-in-law Philip for the five months remaining until the birth her child,
who turned out to be male. But Jean I, only lived five days was succeeded by his
uncle Philippe V.
1317-28 Sovereign Countess Isabelle de Castilla of Limoges
She was married to Jean I, who was Duke of Bretagne from 1312. 1314-17 his
brother, Gui VII, was count, until she took over as Countess. After her death,
her husband was count again, until he was succeeded in 1341 by niece, Jeanne,
who had succeeded his father (the said Gui VII) as Countess of Penthièvre in
1331. Isabella (d. 1328).
1317-58 Sovereign Countess Mahaut de Châtillon-sur-Marne of Saint-Pôl
She was daughter of Guy I (1254-1317) and Marie de Bretagne and was married to
Charles de Valois. She was mother of Marie (1309-32), Isabelle (1313-83),
Blanche (1317-48) and Jean (d. 1344), and lived (1293-1358).
1325 Sovereign VicountessMarie de Dampierre-Flanders of Chateaudun, Baroness
of Mondoubleau and Dame of Nesle and Saint Calais
Succeeded father Jean de Dampierre-Flanders, whose mother, Alix II had abdicated
in his favour in 1320. Marie transmitted the Viscounty in favour of her sister,
Marguerite, but kept the Barony of Mondoubleau and the Seigneurity Saint Calais.
She was first married to Count Robert VIII de Boulogne et d'Auvergne and
secondly to Ingeler I d'Ambroise, with whom she had four children, of which the
three daughters reached adulthood. (d. 1355).
1325.... Sovereign VicountessMarguerite de Dampierre-Flanders of Chateaudun,
Dame of Nesle
Succeeded sister Marie de Dampierre-Flanders. Married to Guillaume de Craon and
mother of 7 children. Succeeded by son, Guillaume II de Craon.
1328-92 Sovereign Countess Blanche de France of Beaumont
Daughter of Charles IV, Count de La Marche and King of France and Navarra
(1295-1328) and his third wife, Jeanne d'Évreux (1310-71). She was married to
Philippe duc d'Orleans, Count de Valois et Beaumont (d. 1375), and lived
(1228-92).
1328-32 Regent Dowager Duchess Isabella von Habsburg of Lorraine (Lothringen)
Widow of Herzogs Ferri IV (Friedrich V ) and regent for Rudolf or Raoul
(1328-46). She (d. 1332).
1329-47 Sovereign Countess Jeanne II de France of Artois, Flanders, Brabant,
Franche-Comté and Upper Burgundy (France and Belgium)
1346-56 Regent Dowager Countess of Rouvers
1356-58 Regent of Franche-Comté and Artois
The daughter of Countess Jeanne I and King Philippe V of France, she married to
Eudes IV, Duc de Bourgogne, thereby uniting the two Bourgognes, which had been
seperated for 400 years. She was first succeeded by son, Philippe de Rouvres
Bourgogne, Comte d'Artois and D'Auvergne, who succeeded his father in Rouvers
and his grandmother in Franche-Comté etc. In 1361 he was succeeded by his cousin,
Marguerite, daughter of Jeanne's sister by the same name. Jeanne II lived
(1326-60).
1331-84 Sovereign Countess Jeanne of Penthièvre
1341-84 Sovereign Duchess of Bretagne, Viscomtesse de Limoges and Dame de
Mayenne
Daughter of Guy de Bretagne, Count de Penthièvre, who died in 1331. She
succeeded her uncle, Jean III of Bretagne. Married Charles de Blois, Seigneur of
Châtillon-sur-Marne, who became duke by the right of his wife. She was known as
Jeanne "La Boiteuse" and lived (1319-84)
1332-60 Sovereign Countess Jeanne I of Auvergne and Boulogne
1349-50 Regent Dowager Duchess of Bourgogne
She succeeded father, Guillaume XII, and first married Duke Philippe de
Bourgogne, son of Countess Jeanne II of Bourgogne and Artois from 1329. Philippe
was killed at the siege of Aiguillon, and after the death of his father, Eudes
IV in 1349, she became regent for her son Philippe I de Rouvres (1349-61). The
following year she married Jean II de Valois, Count of Guyenne and King of
France (1350-64). Her son Married Marguerite de Flanders, who succeeded as
Countess in 1384. Her daughter Marguerite inherited the titles of Countess of
Bourgogne and Artois in 1361. Jeanne lived (1326-60).
1334-36 Sovereign Countess Jeanne of Joigny, Dame de Mercoeur and
She was daughter of Jean II. first wife of Charles II de Valois, Comte d'Alençon
(1297-1346).
1339-50 Sovereign VicountessCécile of Touraine
Daughter of Countess Marguerite. She succeeded brother, Jean, and reigned
jointly with husband Jaime de Aragón, Count de Urgell, until his death in 1346.
Cécile and succeeded by brother-in-law Guillaume Roger de Beaufort (1350-93),
who was first succeeded by son and in 1417 by his daughter Eléonore.
1342-87 Sovereign Countess Blanche d'Aumale
Succeeded father, Jean II and reigned jointly with husband Jean II d'Harcourt
until he was killed in 1355. Succeeded by son Jean IV.
1343-82 Queen Regnant Giovanna I d'Anjou de Napoli and Sicilia and Sardegna,
Sovereign Duchess of Pouilles and Calabre, Princess of Capua, Sovereign
Countess of Provence, Forcalquier and Piémont (Italy and France)
1374-76 Princess of Achaia and Baroness of Vostitsa (Greece) and Titular Queen
of Jerusalem
Also known as Jeanne or Juanna, and at the age of 17 she was crowned by her
Grandfather, Roberto d’Anjou, and inherited a flourishing kingdom, however
tormented by dynastic troubles. In 1342 Giovanna married Andrea of Hungary, who
died two years later in consequence of a conspiracy, to which perhaps the Queen
herself participated in. Her brother-in-law took his revenge invading Naples. In
1346 she had married her cousin Luigi d’Anjou of Taranto. Because of the
invasion she flew to Avignon in Provence, in 1347 she sold it to Pope Clemente
VI who supported her as an exchange to hold back the Hungarian expansion in
Italy. After the death of her second husband, Giovanna got married with Juan of
Aragon, who died very soon in consequence of an illness. Then in the same year
she married a skilful captain, Otto of Braunschweig, to better defend her reign.
She didn’t have any heir and this caused succession problems. Pope Urbano VI
excommunicated her because she had backed up the Anti-Pope Clemente VII. Her
cousin, Carlo of Durazzo of Taranto, invaded her reign also because she had
appointed as her successor Louis I d’Anjou, brother of the King of France.
Giovanna fell prisoner and Carlo imprisoned her in Muro Lucano, a small town in
Southern Italy, and had her strangled in 1383. She lived (1343-83).
1344-50 Sovereign Countess Jeanne I of Soissons, Dame de Beaumont, Chimay,
Valenciennes and Condé
Daughter of Countess Marguerite and Jean, Seigneur de Beaumont. She married
Louis I, Count de Blois and Dunois, Seigneur de Châtillon and Seigneur
d'Avesness.
1345-46 Sovereign Countess Jeanne I de Montpensier of Dreux and Braine
Her father Pierre (1298-1331-45), was the last of three brothers to succeed each
others as counts of Dreux since the death of their father, Jean II in 1309.
Jeanne was succeeded by aunt, Jeanne II. She lived (1315-46).
1346-54/55 Sovereign Countess Jeanne II of Dreux and Braine
The daughter of Jean II le Bon, she succeeded her niece, Jeanne I, and reigned
jointly with husband Louis de Thouars (d. 1370). First succeeded by son and then
by daughters Petronelle and Marguerite. Jeanne lived (1308-54/5).
1346 Regent Dowager Countess Marguerite de France of Flanders and Rethel
1361-82 Sovereign Countess Palantine of Bourgogne and Countess of Franche-Comté,
Artois and Salins (The low countries)
Daughter of King Philippe V of France and Jeanne I d'Artois (1329-30). She
married Louis II de Nevers, Count of Flanders and Rethel, who fell in battle in
1346 and was regent for their son, Louis II de Male (1330-84), and in her own
lands, she succeeded the son of her sister Jeanne II's grandchild as Marguerite
I. She abdicated in favour of son, but remained politically active to her death.
Her son was succeeded by her daughter, Marguerite II, in 1384. Marguerite I
lived (circa 1312-82).
1346-6.. Regent Dowager Duchess Marie de Blois of Lorraine
Widow of Rudolf or Roul and regent for son Johann I of Lothringen or Lorraine
(1346-90).
1356-60 Sovereign Countess Isabella of Brienne, Lecce and Conversano, Dame de
Ramerupt and Titluar Duchess of Athens (France, Italy and Greece)
After brother, Gautier, was killed in the battle by Poitiers, she and her
husband, Gautier IV d'Enghien, Seigneur de Tubize et Lembeek, the family
possessions in France and Italy. She was the only daughter of Duke Gautiers V de
Brienne and Jeanne de Chatillon and succeeded. She lived (ca.1300/05-60).
1360-78 Sovereign Countess Mahaud de Châtillon of Saint-Pôl
Daughter of Jean de Chatillon (1292-1334) and succeeded brother, Gui (d. 1360).
She was married to Guy de Ligny and Charles de France, Count de Valois etc. And
lived (1293-1358).
1361-82 Sovereign Countess Marguerite I de France of Bourgogne and d'Artois
The Daughter of Jean II of France and Jeanne de Boulogne et d'Auvergne, she was
appointed to the title after the death of her half-brother, Philippe I de
Rouvrens, Duke and Count of Bourgogne, who had succeeded their mother mother.
Her father kept the title of Duke of Bourgogne and the counties of Boulogne and
Auvergne went to Jean de Boulogne, the uncle of her mother. She was already a
widow of Louis I of Flanders, Rethel and Nevers. In 1366 the word Franche-Comté
was used for the first time to designate the County of Bourgogne.
1364-79 Countess Isabelle of Rouci
She succeeded her father.
1365-77/78 Co-Sovereign Countess Petronelle de Thouars of Dreux
Succeeded brother Simon, daughter of Jeanne II (1309/9-46-54/5). Reigned jointly
with sister, and was deposed by the king of France. Petronelle (d. 1393).
1365-77/78 Co-Sovereign Countess Marguerite de Thouars of Dreux
Ruled jointly with sister, and was deposed by the king of France. Marguerite (d.
1404).
1366-74 Regent Dowager Countess Jeanne de Castilla of Vendôme
After the death of her husband, Jean VI, she was regent for son, Bouchard VII
until his death, when her daughter succeeded to the countly title.
Until 1268
Baroness Agnès
de Faucigny of Faucigny
Succeeded father, Aimone I de
Faucigny
1268-1310 Baroness Beatrice de Savoie of
Faucigny
She succeeded her parents, Pietro II, Count of Savoy, Moriana and Chablais, Duke
of Aosta, Marquis of Susa and Marquis in Italia, Count of Richmond etc and
Baroness Agnès de Faucigny,
who both died in 1268. During her first marriage to Guigues VII, Dauphin de
Vienne, Count d’Albon, she became known as "The Grande Dauphine". After his
death in 1261, she married Gaston VII Viscount dei Béarn (1225 -90). In 1309 she
renounced her claims on the County of Savoy. She lived (1237-1310).
1369/73-82 Sovereign Countess Jeanne de Bourbon of Lyonnais et Forez
In 1350 she married king Charles V of France (1338-64-80), . His reign was
marred by the Hundred Years' War, but Charles' army scored some victories and
defeated the army of the King of Navarre. He declined to be drawn into a crusade.
Nonetheless, dissatisfaction with his rule was such that at one point the Mayor
of Paris, Etienne Marcel, led a revolt against Charles that forced the king to
flee the city. A strong supporter of the arts, Charles had the Louvre restored
and improved and in 1367 created the first royal library in France. Mother of
three children, and lived (1338-78).
1375-93 Sovereign Countess Blanche de France of Valois
Succeeded husband Philippe (1344-75). She was daughter of King Charles IV, and
lived (1328-92).
1376-1443 Sovereign Countess Marguerite of Comminges
Married to Count Jean III d'Armagnac.
1382-1416 Sovereign Countess Anne d'Auvergne of Lyonnais et Forez
Married to Louis II duc de Bourbon, Count de Forez and Prince de Dombes
(1337-1410).
1384-1405 Sovereign Countess Marguerite III de Mâle of Flanders, Artois and
Franche-Comté, Nevers and Rethel, Marchioness d'Anvers, Dame of Antwerpen,
Mechelen and Malines (Belgium and France)
1404 Sovereign Duchess of Brabant and Limburg
Also known as Margaretha, she was daughter of Louis de Male of Flanders - she
inherited his lands and those of her grandmother, Marguerite de France, Countess
of Bourgogne and Artois, and first married to Philippe le Hardi de Rouveres,
Duke de Bourgogne, who died after 6 months. Her second husband was Philippe,
Duke de Bourbon, and she became famous as patron of fashion, art and articrafts.
She inherited Brabant and Limburg after the abdication of her aunt, Johanna.
Margaretha lived (1350-1405).
1386-1416 Sovereign Countess Marguerite of Vaudemont, Dame de Joinville
Succeeded father, Henri V de Vaudemont. Her mother was Marie de Ligny, de
Houdanc.
1392-1419 Regent Queen Isabeau Baverie of France
1403-04 President of the Council of State
In 1392 her husband, Charles IV had the first of 44 fits of insanity, which were
to last until his death in 1422, and would make him unable to reign. Isabeau was
given large lands in Normandie, around Paris and in Champagne as a security, and
officially declared regent during the "absence" of her husband. From 1395 she
actively engaged in politics, and arranged the marriage of her children in very
young age. Her advisors, the brother's of her husband, Philippe de Burgundy and
d'Orléans, engaged in a fierce power struggle, which almost resulted in a civil
war. In 1402 she took over the control of the taxation and at 26.4.1403 she
became President of the Council of State and took over the management of the
Government. One year later Louis died, and she reigned jointly with Philippe.
After the birth of the last child, she removed totally from Charles, who became
more and more violent and dangerous. In 1407 her position was reaffirmed in an
official act, but her husband's cousin, Jean placed his followers in all the
central positions. 1411-12 a civil war broke out between the Burundians and
Orleans. In 1415 her 18 year old son, Louis, took over the government, and soon
after the English attacked France. After Louis' death, his brother, Jean (Married
to Jakobäa of Hainault, Holland and Zeeland) was regent until his death two
years later. She then was in charge again, and appointed Jean without Fear as
Governor of the French Kingdom. In 1419 and 1420 she met the English king, Henry
V and negotiated a peace-treaty. After the death of her husband, she lived alone,
plagued by rheumatism and immobile because of her heavy weight. Originally named
Elisabeth von Bayern, she was mother of 12 children, and lived (1370-1435).
1392/95 Sovereign VicountessAlix of Dreux
She succeeded her father, Etienne Gavin I, Seigneur de Bossart, Vicomte de Dreux
(1330-92) and married to Mace de Gemges. She lived (1364-94).
1393-1417 Sovereign Countess Marie de Baux of Orange
Succeeded father Raymond IV and joint ruler with husband, Jean I de
Chalons-Arlay, who died of the Plague in Paris. Succeeded by son Louis II de
Chalon).
1394-1406 Sovereign Countess Blanche of Dammartin
Daughter of Charles, Count of Dammartin, who died after 1368, and Jeanne,
Viscomtesse de Chateaudun, and married Charles Bureau, Seigneur de la Riviere,
who died 1429.
1394-1422/24 Sovereign Countess Jeanne II d'Auvergne and Boulogne
Succeeded father Jean and reigned jointly with husband, Duke Jean de Berry and
after his death in 1416 with George de la Trémoylle, Baron de Sully. She was
succeeded by daughter, Marie, and lived (1378-1422/24).
1397-1443 Sovereign Countess Henriette of Montbeliard
1419-26 Regent Dowager Countess of Württemberg (Germany)
Succeeded father as Countess of Montbeliard or Möpelgard in Burgundy. After the
death of her husband, count Eberhard V, she was regent for son Ulrich. She lived
(1387-1444).
1397-1404 Sovereign Countess Marie de Coucy, Soissons and Marle
Oldest daughter of Count Enguerrand VII, she sold the territory to Duke Louis
d'Orleans and might have been murdered. Her only son with her late husband,
Heinrich, Hereditary Count of Bar, Robert, died in 1415 and trough his daughter,
the territory went to the House of Luxembourg-Ligny. Marie lived (1366-1411).
1398-1412 Sovereign Countess Isabelle of Foix-Beárn and Co-Princess of Andorra,
Viscomtesse de Castellbo (etc), de Marsan, du Gévaydan et de Lautrec (France and
Spain)
Succeeded brother, Mathieu V de Castelbon, and ruled jointly with husband,
Archambaud de Grailli, and was succeeded by son, Jean in 1411 or 12.
1399-1402 Regent Dowager Duchess Juana de Navarra of Bretagne
After Jean IV's death, she was regent for son Jean V until she married king
Henry IV of England as his third wife and became known as Joan of Navarra. She
lived (circa 1373-1437).
Around 1400-42 Titular Queen Yolande de Aragón of Sicily, Napoli, Jerusalem,
and Aragón (Italy)
1417 Regent Dowager Duchess of Anjou and Provence
1424-27 President of the Estate Generals of Anjou and Provence
Daughter of Juan I, king of Aragón, she was initially called Violenta. Her
father was succeeded by Martin as king of Aragón. Her marriage to Louis II of
Anjou in 1400, who spent much of his life fighting in Italy for his claim to the
kingdom of Napoli. She was appointed guardian of her son-in-law the Dauphin
Charles who became Charles VII in 1422, but his title was still challenged by
the English and their Burgundian allies. In this struggle, Yolande maneuvered to
have the duke of Bretagne break from an alliance with the English, and was
responsible for the Breton soldier, Arthur de Richemont, becoming the constable
of France in 1425. Yolande's early and strong support of Jeanne d'Arc, when
others had reasonable doubts, suggests the Duchess' possible larger role in the
orchestrating the Maid's appearance on the scene. Her younger daughter, Yolanda,
was married to the heir of Bretagne, her youngest son René inherited Lorraine in
1431 and after her older son's Louis III's death, and three years later he also
became duke of Anjou and heir of Sicily. She lived (1379-1442).
1400-34 Sovereign Countess Marie d'Anjou of Auvergne
1414-34 Regent of Bourbon
1416 Sovereign Duchess de Montpensier
She was daughter of Jean d'Anjou, Count de Poitiers, Duc de Berry, d'Auvergne
and Jeanne d'Armagnac, and was married to Louis de Châtillon, Count de Dunois,
Philippe d'Artois, Count d'Eu and finally to Jean I, Duc de Bourbon
(1410-15-34), and regent during his imprisonment in England. He was succeeded by
his son, Charles I (1401-34-56). She lived (1367-1434).
1402-08 Sovereign Lady Valentina Visconti of Asti (Italy)
1407-08 (†) Regent Dowager Duchess of Orlèans and the Counties of Valois, Blois,
Dunois, Angoulemême, Périgord, Dreux and Soissons
After her husband, Louis d'Orléans, Duke d'Orleans etc. was assassinated on the
command of the Duke of Burgundy she became guardian of her children and took
over the fiefs of her husband. She became the leader of the Orlèan-party and
worked for the rehabilitation of her husband. Daughter of Duke Gian Galeazzo I
of Milano, Lord of Pavia, Novara, Como, Vercelli, Alba, Asti, Tortona,
Alessandria e Vigevano (1355-1402) and Princess Isabella de Valois of France and
mother of eight children. She lived (1366-1408).
1402-25 Sovereign Countess Bonne d'Artois of Auxerre, d'Eu, de Mâcon, de
Vermandois, d'Amiens et de Ponthieu
1422-25 Countess de Boulogne
Succeeded Jean, Duke of Touraine, Dauphin de Viennous, Duke de Berry, Cunt of
Poitiers and Ponthieu. She was the second wife of Philippe de Bourgogne, Count
of Nevers and Rethel. She lived (1393-1425).
1403-19 Sovereign Countess Marguerite of Sancerre
Daughter of Jean III and Marguerite, Dame de Marmande. Married Gerard VI Chabot,
Baron de Retz (d. circa 1364), Beraud II Dauphin d'Auvergne, Cte de Clermont (d.
1400), Jean de Saligny, Constable of Naples and Jacques de Montberon, Baron de
Maulevrier (d. 1422).
Until 1407 Chatelaine Jeanne of Luxembourg of Saint Pôl and Ligny, de Lille
Daughter of Count Valeran III de Luxembourg-St-Pôl (1355-1415) and Lady Maud
Holland (Half sister of King Richard II of England). Married to Antoine de
Bourgogne, Duke of Brabant and Limbourg (d. 1415), and their son, Philippe
succeeded her father as count.
1409-15 Vice-Reine Blanca de Navarra of Sicilia (Italy)
1425-41 Queen Regnant Blanca I Navarra, Countess de Nemours and Everux (Spain
and France)
She was widow of Martin I de Aragón (1392-1409). His first wife was Maria of
Sicilia, Duchess of Athens and he was succeeded by his father, Martin II
(1409-10). 1410-12 the throne of Aragon was vacant, until Federico I de Aragon
became king. Blanca lived (1385-1441). She was daughter of Charles II of Navarra,
Comte d'Èvreux and Duc de Nemours, and secondly married to Juan II of Aragon,
who succeeded her, and after his death in 1479 her daughter, Leonor became Queen.
Blanca lived (1391-1441).
1412-25 Regent Dowager Countess Catherine d'Alençon of Mortain
After the death of her husband, Pierre de Navarre, she was regent for Louis I,
dauphin de Viennois, Duc de Guyenne, Comte de Mortain. In 1413 she married Louis
II de Bavière, Duke of Bavaria, Count Palatine of the Rhine, who also became
count of Mortain.
1415-68 Sovereign Countess Jeanne de Bar of Soissons, Marle and Coucy
Granddaughter of Marie de Coucy (1366-1405), who was the granddaughter of King
Edward III of England, who was heiress of Soissons and most of the Coucy's
French estates. Her father, Robert, Count de Marle et de Soissons, was killed in
battle in 1415. Her mother was Jeanne de Bethune (†1450) and she married Louis
de Luxembourg, Count de Ligny (1418-75) and lived (1415-62).
From 1415 Regent Dowager Countess Marie de Bretagne of Alençon
Widow of Pierre II le Noble and regent for son Jean V le Beau (1409-15-75-76).
Marie lived (1391-1446).
1417-28 Sovereign Duchess and Countess Jacobäa von Bayern of Holland, Zeeland
and Hainault, Lady of Friesland and Countess of Ponthieu (The Netherlands and
France)
1428-33 Titular Countess
She was the only child of Willem VI of Bayern-Straubing and Hainault-Holland. In
1415 she married the French Dauphin, Jean de Touraine, who died 1417. The
following year she got papal acceptance to marry her cousin Jean IV of Brabant.
With the support of Emperor Sigismund of Germany, her uncle, Johan VI of Bavaria
demanded that she accepted him as regent. He persuaded the Pope to withdraw the
dispensation and gave her lands to him. In 1419 Philippe of Bourgogne intervened.
Johan got parts of southern Holland. The next year her husband gave Holland,
Zeeland and Hainault as security to Johan. She die not accept this and had the
marriage annulled. In 1422 she married Humphrey of Gloucester and in 1424 they
launched an attack on her ex-husband. In 1424 she was taken prisoner and the
following year her uncle died. He had given the countries to Philippe of
Bourgogne. Jacobäa escaped and fought against Philippe until 1428 until she had
to capitulate. In 1432 she married Frank van Borsele and the next year she
abdicated. She died of tuberculosis and lived (1401-36).
1417-20 Sovereign Countess Elénore of Touraine
Succeeded brother, Raymond Louis de Beaufort. She was succeeded by her cousin
Amanieu, who was first succeeded by his brother and in 1444 by niece, Anne.
1420-36 Sovereign Countess Marie of Dammartin
Married to Reynald V of Nanteuil-Aci, and succeeded by daughter, Marguerite.
1422/24-34 Sovereign Countess Marie de Berry of Auvergne
1422 Sovereign Countess of Boulogne
Succeeded mother, Jeanne II, and was succeeded by husband, Bertrand I de la Tour
and then by son, Bertrand II. She lived (1370-1434).
Until 1425 Sovereign Viscomtesse Marie Chamillart of Beaumont au Maine
She married Pierre d'Alençon, Comte du Perche and d'Alençon.
1426-30 Army Leader Joan d'Arc
As a teenager, Joan believed she heard the voices of angels telling her to help
the future Charles VII, who had been deprived of his inheritance by the English
and the Burgundians, to regain his throne. Charles sent her to raise the siege
at Orlèans, which she did successfully, driving the English from the city and
allowing him to be crowned at Rheims. She was soon captured by Burgundians and
sold to the English, who found her guilty of witchcraft and wearing a man's
clothes. She was burned at the stake in 1431 and canonized in 1920. She lived
(1412-31)
1426-36 Sovereign Countess Jeanne of Clermont-en-Auvergne and Sancerre and
Dauphine of Auvergne
Daughter of Berauld III, count of Clermont and Boulogne and Gabrielle de la Tour,
Heiress of Auvergne. She married Louis de Bourbon, who was count of Clermont,
Sancerre and Montpensier. No children.
1430-71 Politically Influential Duchess Isabelle de Portugal of Bourgogne
As the third wife of Duke Philippe of Burgundy (1396-1467), she exercised power
in the very wearied domains of her husband. She acted as regent in his absence,
was in charge of the finances, negotiated treaties and initiated reforms of
religious orders. Daughter of King João I of Portugal and Philippa de Gent and
mother of Duke Karl (1433-1477) (The father of Duchess Maria of Burgundy).
1430-31 Sovereign Countess Jeanne de Luxembourg-Saint-Pôl of Saint-Pôl and Ligny
and Dame de Roussy
The daughter of Countess Mahaut (1335-60-78) she succeeded her grand-nephew,
Philippe, who was son of the Hereditary Countess Jeanne (d. 1407), daughter of
Waléran III (d. 1415). Jeanne (d. 1431).
1431-53 Sovereign Duchess Isabella of Haut-Lorraine and Bar (France and Belgium)
1435-38 Regent Queen of Napoli (Italy)
She succeeded her father Karl I as Duchess of Lorraine. Her husband, René
d'Anjou (d. 1480), Duke of Anjou from 1430 was Duke by the right of his wife of
Bar from 1434, and when Queen Giovanna of Napoli died in 1435, she left him her
throne. Isabella led the government during his warfare with Giovanna's privious
adopted heir King Alfonso of Aragón and Sicily and in 1442 he defeated René,
took Naples, and the following year he was recognized as King by the Pope Eugene
IV. Among Isabella's six children was Queen Margaret d'Anjou of England. Isabel
lived (1410-1453).
1438-62 Sovereign Duchess Eléonore de Bourbon-La Marche of Nemours, Countess of
Castres and La Marche
Daughter of Jacques de Bourbon-La Marche (1370-1438) and Beatrix d'Evreux, the
daughter of Carlos III of Navarra. Her father's second wife was Giovanna II of
Napoli. Eleonore married to Bernard d'Armagnac, Count de Pardiac.
Until 1442 Sovereign Duchess Marguerite de Bourgogne of Guyenne
Daughter of Jean de Bourgogne, Duc de G. and Margareta of Bavaria. She was first
married to Louis de France (1397-1415) and then to Arthur III de Montfort of
Bretagne (193-1458).
1444-(90) Sovereign Countess Agnes de Touraine
Succeeded brother, Pierre. Her husband Agne de la Tour, was count by the right
of his wife (1445-90).
Around 1400-42 Titular Queen Yolande de Aragón of Sicily, Napoli, Jerusalem,
and Aragón (Italy)
1417 Regent Dowager Duchess of Anjou and Provence
1424-27 President of the Estate Generals of Anjou and Provence
Daughter of Juan I, king of Aragón, she was initially called Violenta. Her
father was succeeded by Martin as king of Aragón. Her marriage to Louis II of
Anjou in 1400, who spent much of his life fighting in Italy for his claim to the
kingdom of Napoli. She was appointed guardian of her son-in-law the Dauphin
Charles who became Charles VII in 1422, but his title was still challenged by
the English and their Burgundian allies. In this struggle, Yolande maneuvered to
have the duke of Bretagne break from an alliance with the English, and was
responsible for the Breton soldier, Arthur de Richemont, becoming the constable
of France in 1425. Yolande's early and strong support of Jeanne d'Arc, when
others had reasonable doubts, suggests the Duchess' possible larger role in the
orchestrating the Maid's appearance on the scene. Her younger daughter, Yolanda,
was married to the heir of Bretagne, her youngest son René inherited Lorraine in
1431 and after her older son's Louis III's death, and three years later he also
became duke of Anjou and heir of Sicily. She lived (1379-1442).
1400-34 Sovereign Countess Marie d'Anjou of Auvergne
1414-34 Regent of Bourbon
1416 Sovereign Duchess de Montpensier
She was daughter of Jean d'Anjou, Count de Poitiers, Duc de Berry, d'Auvergne
and Jeanne d'Armagnac, and was married to Louis de Châtillon, Count de Dunois,
Philippe d'Artois, Count d'Eu and finally to Jean I, Duc de Bourbon
(1410-15-34), and regent during his imprisonment in England. He was succeeded by
his son, Charles I (1401-34-56). She lived (1367-1434).
1402-08 Sovereign Lady Valentina Visconti of Asti (Italy)
1407-08 (†) Regent Dowager Duchess of Orlèans and the Counties of Valois, Blois,
Dunois, Angoulemême, Périgord, Dreux and Soissons
After her husband, Louis d'Orléans, Duke d'Orleans etc. was assassinated on the
command of the Duke of Burgundy she became guardian of her children and took
over the fiefs of her husband. She became the leader of the Orlèan-party and
worked for the rehabilitation of her husband. Daughter of Duke Gian Galeazzo I
of Milano, Lord of Pavia, Novara, Como, Vercelli, Alba, Asti, Tortona,
Alessandria e Vigevano (1355-1402) and Princess Isabella de Valois of France and
mother of eight children. She lived (1366-1408).
1402-25 Sovereign Countess Bonne d'Artois of Auxerre, d'Eu, de Mâcon, de
Vermandois, d'Amiens et de Ponthieu
1422-25 Countess de Boulogne
Succeeded Jean, Duke of Touraine, Dauphin de Viennous, Duke de Berry, Cunt of
Poitiers and Ponthieu. She was the second wife of Philippe de Bourgogne, Count
of Nevers and Rethel. She lived (1393-1425).
1403-19 Sovereign Countess Marguerite of Sancerre
Daughter of Jean III and Marguerite, Dame de Marmande. Married Gerard VI Chabot,
Baron de Retz (d. circa 1364), Beraud II Dauphin d'Auvergne, Cte de Clermont (d.
1400), Jean de Saligny, Constable of Naples and Jacques de Montberon, Baron de
Maulevrier (d. 1422).
Until 1407 Chatelaine Jeanne of Luxembourg of Saint Pôl and Ligny, de Lille
Daughter of Count Valeran III de Luxembourg-St-Pôl (1355-1415) and Lady Maud
Holland (Half sister of King Richard II of England). Married to Antoine de
Bourgogne, Duke of Brabant and Limbourg (d. 1415), and their son, Philippe
succeeded her father as count.
1409-15 Vice-Reine Blanca de Navarra of Sicilia (Italy)
1425-41 Queen Regnant Blanca I Navarra, Countess de Nemours and Everux (Spain
and France)
She was widow of Martin I de Aragón (1392-1409). His first wife was Maria of
Sicilia, Duchess of Athens and he was succeeded by his father, Martin II
(1409-10). 1410-12 the throne of Aragon was vacant, until Federico I de Aragon
became king. Blanca lived (1385-1441). She was daughter of Charles II of Navarra,
Comte d'Èvreux and Duc de Nemours, and secondly married to Juan II of Aragon,
who succeeded her, and after his death in 1479 her daughter, Leonor became Queen.
Blanca lived (1391-1441).
1412-25 Regent Dowager Countess Catherine d'Alençon of Mortain
After the death of her husband, Pierre de Navarre, she was regent for Louis I,
dauphin de Viennois, Duc de Guyenne, Comte de Mortain. In 1413 she married Louis
II de Bavière, Duke of Bavaria, Count Palatine of the Rhine, who also became
count of Mortain.
1415-68 Sovereign Countess Jeanne de Bar of Soissons, Marle and Coucy
Granddaughter of Marie de Coucy (1366-1405), who was the granddaughter of King
Edward III of England, who was heiress of Soissons and most of the Coucy's
French estates. Her father, Robert, Count de Marle et de Soissons, was killed in
battle in 1415. Her mother was Jeanne de Bethune (†1450) and she married Louis
de Luxembourg, Count de Ligny (1418-75) and lived (1415-62).
From 1415 Regent Dowager Countess Marie de Bretagne of Alençon
Widow of Pierre II le Noble and regent for son Jean V le Beau (1409-15-75-76).
Marie lived (1391-1446).
1417-28 Sovereign Duchess and Countess Jacobäa von Bayern of Holland, Zeeland
and Hainault, Lady of Friesland and Countess of Ponthieu (The Netherlands and
France)
1428-33 Titular Countess
She was the only child of Willem VI of Bayern-Straubing and Hainault-Holland. In
1415 she married the French Dauphin, Jean de Touraine, who died 1417. The
following year she got papal acceptance to marry her cousin Jean IV of Brabant.
With the support of Emperor Sigismund of Germany, her uncle, Johan VI of Bavaria
demanded that she accepted him as regent. He persuaded the Pope to withdraw the
dispensation and gave her lands to him. In 1419 Philippe of Bourgogne intervened.
Johan got parts of southern Holland. The next year her husband gave Holland,
Zeeland and Hainault as security to Johan. She die not accept this and had the
marriage annulled. In 1422 she married Humphrey of Gloucester and in 1424 they
launched an attack on her ex-husband. In 1424 she was taken prisoner and the
following year her uncle died. He had given the countries to Philippe of
Bourgogne. Jacobäa escaped and fought against Philippe until 1428 until she had
to capitulate. In 1432 she married Frank van Borsele and the next year she
abdicated. She died of tuberculosis and lived (1401-36).
1417-20 Sovereign Countess Elénore of Touraine
Succeeded brother, Raymond Louis de Beaufort. She was succeeded by her cousin
Amanieu, who was first succeeded by his brother and in 1444 by niece, Anne.
1420-36 Sovereign Countess Marie of Dammartin
Married to Reynald V of Nanteuil-Aci, and succeeded by daughter, Marguerite.
1422/24-34 Sovereign Countess Marie de Berry of Auvergne
1422 Sovereign Countess of Boulogne
Succeeded mother, Jeanne II, and was succeeded by husband, Bertrand I de la Tour
and then by son, Bertrand II. She lived (1370-1434).
Until 1425 Sovereign Viscomtesse Marie Chamillart of Beaumont au Maine
She married Pierre d'Alençon, Comte du Perche and d'Alençon.
1426-30 Army Leader Joan d'Arc
As a teenager, Joan believed she heard the voices of angels telling her to help
the future Charles VII, who had been deprived of his inheritance by the English
and the Burgundians, to regain his throne. Charles sent her to raise the siege
at Orlèans, which she did successfully, driving the English from the city and
allowing him to be crowned at Rheims. She was soon captured by Burgundians and
sold to the English, who found her guilty of witchcraft and wearing a man's
clothes. She was burned at the stake in 1431 and canonized in 1920. She lived
(1412-31)
1426-36 Sovereign Countess Jeanne of Clermont-en-Auvergne and Sancerre and
Dauphine of Auvergne
Daughter of Berauld III, count of Clermont and Boulogne and Gabrielle de la Tour,
Heiress of Auvergne. She married Louis de Bourbon, who was count of Clermont,
Sancerre and Montpensier. No children.
1430-71 Politically Influential Duchess Isabelle de Portugal of Bourgogne
As the third wife of Duke Philippe of Burgundy (1396-1467), she exercised power
in the very wearied domains of her husband. She acted as regent in his absence,
was in charge of the finances, negotiated treaties and initiated reforms of
religious orders. Daughter of King João I of Portugal and Philippa de Gent and
mother of Duke Karl (1433-1477) (The father of Duchess Maria of Burgundy).
1430-31 Sovereign Countess Jeanne de Luxembourg-Saint-Pôl of Saint-Pôl and Ligny
and Dame de Roussy
The daughter of Countess Mahaut (1335-60-78) she succeeded her grand-nephew,
Philippe, who was son of the Hereditary Countess Jeanne (d. 1407), daughter of
Waléran III (d. 1415). Jeanne (d. 1431).
1431-53 Sovereign Duchess Isabella of Haut-Lorraine and Bar (France and Belgium)
1435-38 Regent Queen of Napoli (Italy)
She succeeded her father Karl I as Duchess of Lorraine. Her husband, René
d'Anjou (d. 1480), Duke of Anjou from 1430 was Duke by the right of his wife of
Bar from 1434, and when Queen Giovanna of Napoli died in 1435, she left him her
throne. Isabella led the government during his warfare with Giovanna's privious
adopted heir King Alfonso of Aragón and Sicily and in 1442 he defeated René,
took Naples, and the following year he was recognized as King by the Pope Eugene
IV. Among Isabella's six children was Queen Margaret d'Anjou of England. Isabel
lived (1410-1453).
1438-62 Sovereign Duchess Eléonore de Bourbon-La Marche of Nemours, Countess of
Castres and La Marche
Daughter of Jacques de Bourbon-La Marche (1370-1438) and Beatrix d'Evreux, the
daughter of Carlos III of Navarra. Her father's second wife was Giovanna II of
Napoli. Eleonore married to Bernard d'Armagnac, Count de Pardiac.
Until 1442 Sovereign Duchess Marguerite de Bourgogne of Guyenne
Daughter of Jean de Bourgogne, Duc de G. and Margareta of Bavaria. She was first
married to Louis de France (1397-1415) and then to Arthur III de Montfort of
Bretagne (193-1458).
1444-(90) Sovereign Countess Agnes de Touraine
Succeeded brother, Pierre. Her husband Agne de la Tour, was count by the right
of his wife (1445-90).
1452-76 Sovereign Countess Marie of Aumale
Succeeded father Jean V and was succeeded by grandson, Rene de Vaudemont, Duke
de Lorraine.
1452-83 Sovereign Countess Elisabeth of Eu and Nevers
She succeeded brother, Philippe, and married Jean de Clèves.
1455-81 Sovereign Countess Françoise of Limoges and Périgord, Viscomtesse de
Lomage and Dame d'Avesness
Daughter of Isabelle, who reigned 1317-28 and succeeded father Gui VIII de
Penthièvre. Married to Alain Le Grand, Seigneur d'Albert etc, was joint ruler
1470-1522. Françoise (d. 1481).
1464-79 Baroness Regant Catherine de Coarraze of Coarraze and Aspet
She succeeded her father, Catherine. At that time her husband, Count Mathieu de
Foix had been dead for 11 years. Her reign was troubled by family feuds, and in
1479 she lost the Castle and Barony of Coarraze and withdrew to Aspet. Ruined by
the feuds she sold the barony to Jean de Foix, vicomte de Narbonne in 1483. Sad
and maltreated she sought refuge at he Castle of Durfort in the village of Galey
in Couserans. The mother of two daughters, she lived (1431-92).
Until 1466 Sovereign Countess Marguerite d'Orléans Vertus-en-Champagne
Daughter of Louis de France, Duc de Touraine, d'Orléans etc., and married
Richard de Bretagne, comte Étampes. She lived (1406-66).
1470-82 Regent Princess Madeleine de France of Andorra and Foix-Beárn
1479-83 and 1483-84 Regent of Navarra (Spain)
She was regent for Francesco in Foix-Beárn and Andorra 1470-83 after her husband,
Count Gaston V's death. In 1479 her son succeeded his paternal grandmother in
Navarra. Madeleine was daughter of Charles VII of France and Isabeau of Bavaria
and lived (1443-86).
Until 1472 Sovereign Countess Isabelle de Luxembourg-Saint-Pôl of Guise
She married Charles d'Anjou, Duc de Maine, whose first wife was Corbella Ruffo,
Contessa di Montalto e di Corigliano (d. 1442), Isabelle was mother of one
daughter, Louise (1445-77), who was married to Jacques, Comte d'Armangnac and
Duc de Nemours.
1473-83 Sovereign Duchess Yolande of Lorraine and Bar, Countess d'Alsace
1481-83 Titular Queen of Sicily, Sardegna and Jerusalem
Daughter of Jean II (1425-70), Duc de Lorraine, Titular King of Napoli and
Claimant to Aragón by his grandmother, Yolanda de Aragón, and successor of her
brother, Nicolai. Married to Frederich de Lorraine, Comte de Vaudémont, who died
in 1470 and Ferri II de Guise, who was Duke by the right of his wife, and was
succeeded by her son, René II de Vaudémont. She lived (1428-83).
1477-82 Maria de Bourgogne, by the Grace of God, Duchess Burgundy, Lorraine,
Gelders, Limburg, Jülich, Brabant, Quilon, Bar and Franche-Comté, Margravine of
the Holy Roman Empire of Higher-Elsass, Breisgau, Lower-Elsass and Antwerpen,
Countess of Flanderes, Hainaut, d'Artois, Boulonge, Namur, Pouthieu, Picardie,
d'Eu, Vermandôis, Charolais, Macon, Montbeliard, Zutphern, Nevers and Rethel and
Baroness d'Ilês, Bar-sur-Seine, Lady of Friesland, Salins and of Mechelen etc (France
and Belgium)
At her father’s death in January 1477, Louis XI of France seized Burgundy and
Picardy and prepared to her entire inheritance. To gain the assistance of
Flanders, Brabant, Hainaut, and Holland, whose representatives met at Ghent in
Febuary 1477, Mary granted the Great Privilege, which restored the liberties of
the provincial estates that her father and grandfather had abrogated. She then
rejected Louis XI’s proposal that she marry the dauphin Charles, and in May she
married Maximilian, who had hastened to her assistance with an army. However,
the Low Countries remained in turmoil; despite his victory at Guinegate in
1479, and after Maria's death Maximilian was forced to agree to the Treaty of
Arras, by which Franche-Comté and Artois passed to France. Mary’s premature
death, caused by a fall from horseback, left her young son Philip (later Philip
I of Castile) her heir, but only in 1493 was Maximilian able to regain control
over the Low Countries, where Philip had been a virtual prisoner until 1485. The
Treaty of Senlis in 1493 with France restored Artois and Franche-Comté to
Philip, but Burgundy and Picardy remained French. Mary of Burgundy had several,
and lived (1457-82).
1482-1503 Joint Regent Dowager Duchess Margaret of York of Bourgogne
She acted as de-facto joint regent with her son-in-law Maximillian von Habsburg,
who was Holy Roman Emperor after the death of her stepdaughter, Duchess Maria.
Margaret was the third wife and widow of Charles Le Hardi, who died 1477, and
lived (1446-1503).
1482-1546 Sovereign Countess Marie de Luxembourg-Saint-Pôl of Saint Pôl, Ligny,
de Marle, Soissons and Conversano, Dame de Condé, Bohaim and Ham
She was daughter of Count Pierre II de Saint Pôl, Soissons, Brienne, Roussy and
Marle and Margaritha of Savoia. First married to Jacques de Romont and secondly
to François de Bourbon, Count of Vendôme. Her oldest son was Charles, Duke of
Vendôme, Count of Chartres and Soissons, Marle and La Fere and Lord of
Mondoubleau, the second son was François I de Bourbon-Saint-Pôl, Duke of
Estouteville, Count of St.-Pol. who died in 1545 and was succeeded by his son,
François II, who died after one year and was succeeded by his sister Marie de
Bourbon-Saint-Pôl. Marie de Luxembourg-Saint-Pôl lived (1472-546).
Circa 1483-1506 Sovereign Countess Charlotte de Bourgogne of Rethel
Succeeded mother, and was married to Jean d'Albert, Seigneur d'Orval, and was
succeeded by daughter, Maria.
Until 1487 Dame Jeanne de Bourbon of Rochefort
Daughter of king Jean II de Bourbon, Count de Vendôme etc. and Isabelle de
Beauvau, Dame de La Roche-sur-Yon (1436-74), and married to Louis de Joyeuse,
Count de Grand-Pré. She lived (1460-87).
1488-1514 Sovereign Duchess Anne of Bretagne
Anne de Dreux Montfort became Duchess at the age of 11, just after her land had
been invaded by French troops who demanded that she should not marry without the
consent of the crown. Afraid that Bretagne would be absorbed into France, she
made an alliance with Maximilian of Austria (whom she married by proxy in 1490),
Henry VII of England and Ferdinand II of Aragon, but eventually, after a long
siege, she was forced to marry the French king Charles VIII in 1491. After he
died without an heir in 1498, Anne had to marry his successor Louis XII. But she
insisted that Bretagne should form a separate part of the inheritance, going to
a second son or daughter, or to her own heirs. Anne was a great patron of
scholars, poets and artists, and lived (1476-1514).
1491-1500 Sovereign Countess Charlotte de Bourgogne of Rethel
Succeeded father, Count Jean de Nevers, de Rethel, d'Etampes et d'Eu (1415-91).
Her sister, Elisabeth de Rethel, was heiress of Nevers and Eu, but died 1483 -
she was married to Johann I of Cleves. Charlotte married Jean d'Albret, Seigneur
d'Orval (d. .1524) and was succeeded by daughter Maria d'Albert de
Rethel.Charlotte lived (1472-1500).
1496-1515 Sovereign Countess Louise de Savoie of Angoulême
1515-31 Sovereign Duchess d'Angoulême, Nemours, d'Auvergne, Bourbonnais et
Châtellerault, Comtesse du Maine, de Beaufort, Clermont-en-Beauvaisis et Gien
1516-31 Sovereign Duchess d'Anjou
1523-27 Sovereign Duchess de Bourbon
1525-26 Regent of France
1528 Sovereign Duchess de Touraine
Daughter of Philippe II de Savoie and Marguerite de Bourbon, married to Charles
d'Orléans, and succeeded him as Duchess of Angoulême and d'Anjou. She was very
influential during the reign of her son, King François I of France, and during
his absence in the Italian Wars, she acted as regent, and during his captivity
in Spain 1525–26 she made an alliance with King Henry VIII of England, in which
Henry deserted his alliance with Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, François'
opponent in the Italian Wars. In 1529 she also negotiated the so-called Ladies’
Peace with Margaret of Austria, Charles V’s aunt. Louise lived (1476-1531).
1496-1539 Sovereign Countess Louise de Bourbon of Montpensier, Princesse des
Dombes, Dauphine d'Auvergne
1530-61 Countess de Mortain
1538-61 Duchesse d'Auvergne
1539-61 Duchesse de Montpensier
Daughter of Gilbert de Bourbon, Comte de Montpensier, Dauphin d'Auvergne,
archduke de Sessa, Vice-roi de Napoli (1443-99) and Claire de Gonzaga of Mantua.
First married to André de Chauvigny and then to Louis de Bourbon, prince de la
Roche-sur-Yon. She lived (1482-1561).
1498-1505 Sovereign Duchess Jeanne of Berry
Daughter of King Louis IX and Charlotte de Savoie. Married to Louis II, Duc
d'Orléans and later King Louis XII of France. They divorced in 1498 and she
retired to Bourges, where she founded a convent. In 1950 she was canonized as
Sainte Jeanne de France. She lived (1464-1505).
1500/24-40 Sovereign Countess Maria d'Albert of Rethel (Belgium)
She succeeded her mother, Charlotte de Bourgogne, as Countess of Rethel -
possibly not until after her father Jean d'Albret's death in 1524. She was
married to Charles of Clèves, Count de Nevers (d. 1521) and succeeded by son,
François de Nevers et Rethel, Duke of de Nevers (d. 1561) who was succeeded by
his daughters Henriette de Clève as Duchess of Nevers-Rethel, Catherine de
Nevers (1548-1633) as Countess d'Eu and Marie de Nevers (1553- -1574) as
Comtesse de Beaufort. Maria lived (1491-1549).
After 1500-49 Sovereign Countess Louise Borgia of Valentinos, Dame of La Mothe-Feuilly,
Vaires and Neves
Daughter of Cecare Borgia and in 1517 married to Louis II de La Trémoille,
vicomte de Thouars, who was killed in 1525. Five years later she married
Philippe de Bourbon-Busset, seigneur de Busset (d. 1557). She lived (1500-53).
From 1500 Sovereign Countess Anne de Chabannes of Dammartin
Daughter of Jean VII de Chabannes, Count of Dammartin.
1501-24 Sovereign Countess Anne of Auvergne
Succeeded father, Jean III and was succeeded by sister Madeleine.
1501-20 Sovereign Countess Jeanne d'Orléans of Bar-sur-Seine
Daughter of Antoniette de Polignac and the king of France. She was legitimized
by her marriage to Jean Aubin, Seigneur de Malicorne. She secondly married Jean
de Longwy, Baron de Pagny.
1503-22 Sovereign Duchess Suzane de Bourbon of Bourbon, Bourbonnais and Auvergne
Daughter of Pierre III de Bourbon de Beajeau and the former regent of France,
Anne de France, Viscomtesse de Thouars who was initially regent in Bourbon.
Suzane married to Charles III de Bourbon-Montpensier, Duke of Bourbonnais, and
lived (1491-1522).
1512-16 Sovereign Duchess Germaine de Foix of Nemours, Countess of Foix-Béarn
1526-37 Vice-reine of Valencia and Lieutenant General
Known in Spain as Germana, she was the daughter of Count Jean de Foix, d'Etampes
and Vicomte de Narbonne and Marie d'Orleans, she succeeded her brother, Gaston.
She was married to Fernando II the Catholic of Aragon as his second wife after
the death of Queen Isabel I. They engaged in a power struggle over her lands
until his death in 1516. Three years later she married Johan von
Brandenburg-Ansbach (d. 1525) one year after his death she married Fernando
d'Aragon, Duca di Calabria (d. 1550) and they were appointed Virreina and Virrey
of Valencia. She did not have any children, and lived (1490-1537).
1512-15 Sovereign Duchess Françoise of Longueville, Countess of Montgomery and
Tancarville
Natural daughter of Daughter of king François II of France, and married to the
Viscount de Melun, who died 1512.
Until 1513 Sovereign Countess Claudine de Brosse of Penthièvre
Succeeded Jean II de Brosse, Count of Penthièvre.
1514-24 Sovereign Duchess Claude de France of Bretagne, Countess d'Étampes
1514-17 Sovereign Duchess of Berry
She succeeded her mother and was married to King François I of France. She lived
(1499-1524).
1515-75 Sovereign Duchess Renée de France of Chartres, Countess of Gisoirs et de
Montargis
Daughter of Louis XII and Duchess Anne de Bretagne, sister of Duchess Claude of
Bretagne, and married to Hercule II d'Este, duc de Ferrare. She lived (1510-75).
1515-50 Sovereign Princess Isabelle-Louise de Bourbon of Carency
Her brother, Betrand died in 1515 as the last male of the family. She married
François de Pérusse des Cars.
1515-24 Sovereign Duchess Philiberta di Savoia of Nemours
She and her husband, Giuliano de Medici, had been created joint holders of the
duchy. In 1524 Louise de Savoie was created Duchess. She lived (1498-1524).
1516-20 Sovereign Duchess Jeanne d'Orléans of Valois
Granddaughter of Louis d'Orléans (1392-1407) the son of King Charles V of France.
She succeeded her relative, king François of France, and married to Charles de
Coëtivy, Count de Tailleburg, and lived (1462-1520).
1516-49 Sovereign Duchess Marguerite d'Orléans-Angoulême of Berry
1525-49 Duchess of Alençon and Rodez, Comtesse d'Armagnac, du Perche, Pezenac,
de L'Isle-Jourdain, Porhoët, Pardiac, Viscomtesse Fezenzaguet, Brulhois,
d'Auvillars, Baroness de Castelnau, Caussade, Montmiral and Dame de La Flêche
and Baugé
She was sister of Francis I of France, and first married the Duke of Alençon (d.1525)
and in 1527, Henry d'Albret (titular king of Navarra). With a strong interest in
Renaissance learning, she was much influenced by Erasmus and the religious
reformers of the Meaux circle, who looked to her for patronage and protection.
She encouraged agriculture, learning, and the arts, and her court was the most
intellectual in Europe. The patron of men of letters, including the heretical
poet Clément Marot, she was a prolific writer of long devotional poems, dramas,
secular poems, and the celebrated Heptaméron, a collection of stories on the
theme of love. She lived (1492-1549).
1524-... Sovereign Countess Madeleine de la Tour of Auvergne
Succeeded sister, Countess Anne, and reigned jointly with husband Lorenzo de'
Medici. She was succeeded by daughter Catherine de' Medici, Queen of France, but
it is not known exactly when. Madeleine (d. 1579).
1529.... Sovereign Baroness Renée de Bourbon-Montpensier of Mercoeur
The barony was given to her and her husband, Antoine, duc de Lorraine. Her son
was made a prince of Mercoeur.
1530-46 Sovereign Duchess Marie de Luxembourg-St. Pôl of Valois
She was given the title by her relative, king François of France, who was Duke
of Valois (1499-1516 and 1517-30). Marie (d. 1546).
1531-... Sovereign Countess Guyonne XVII of Laval
Daughter of Guy XVI and Charlotte de Aragon. She was originally named Catherine
Anne, but took the feminized version of Guy upon her succession. She married
Claude de Rieux, and was succeeded by daughter Renée in 1547, who took the name
Giyonne XVIII.
1537-60 Sovereign Duchess Adrienne II of Estouteville
Daughter of Jean III, seigneur d'Estouteville, and married François de
Bourbon-Vendome, Duc d'Estouteville and Count of Saint-Pôl, and was succeeded by
daughter in 1546. She lived (1512-60).
1537-65 Sovereign Duchess Anne de Pisseleu of Étampes
Created Duchess jointly with husband, Jean de Brosse. She was mistress of King
François I.
1539-49 Duchess Marie d'Albert of Nemours
Daughter of Charlotte de Bourgogne and married Charles de Clèves. She lived
(1492-1549).
1540 Sovereign Princess Anne de Rohan-Caboët of Rohan, Porhoët and León
Married to Pierre de Fontenay, who became Duke of Rohan after their marriage.
Circa 1540 -1569 Sovereign Countess Charlotte de Brosse of Penthièvre
Her son, Sébastien de Luxembourg-Saint-Pôl, got the title of Duke of Penthièvre,
and was succeeded by daughter in 1579.
1545-59 Regent Dowager Duchess Christine of Denmark of Lorraine/Lothringen
1560-90 Titular Queen of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, The Wends, Goths and Slavs,
Duchess of Schleswig-Holstein, Ditmasken, Lorraine, Bar and Milano, Countess of
Oldenborg and Balomnt, Lady of Tortana
Regent for son Karl II (1545-1608). 1560 She took over the claims as successor
of their father, Christian II (d. 1559), from her sister, Countess Palatine
Dorothea, who had no children. Christine lived (circa 1521-90).
1546-1601 Sovereign Duchess Marie de Bourbon-Saint-Pôl of Estouteville, Countess
de Saint-Pôl
Also known as Marie de Bourbon-Vendôme, she was daughter of François de
Bourbon-Vendôme, Duc d'Estouteville and Count of Saint-Pôl and Chaumont
(1491-45) and Adrienne II, Duchesse d'Estouteville (1512-60). Marie succeeded
her brother, François (1536-46). She first married Jean de Bourbon-Vendôme,
Count de Soissons, then François de Cleves-Nevers, Duke de Nevers, whom she
divorced in 1561 and finally with Léonor d'Orléans, Duc de Longueville (d.
1573). Marie lived (1539-1601).
1547-58 Sovereign Duchess Eléonore of Austria of Touraine
Married to Manoel I of Portugal and then to king François I of France
(1497-1547). After his death she was given the duchy as a dowry. He was
succeeded as king by his brother Henri II, since their marriage was childless.
She lived (1498-1558).
1547-67 Sovereign Countess Guyonne XVIII "la Folle" of Laval
The daughter of Guyonne VIII, she was origninally named Renée de Rieux, and
succeeded her uncle Count Guy XVI. 1545 she had married Louis de Sainte-Maure,
marquis de Nesle et comte de Joigny. She lived a tumultary life and converted to
the Calvinist faith. Her sister, Claude de Rieux, married one of the protestant
leaders François d'Andelot. She was convicted for traison by the Parliament of
Paris together with two other leaders of the "poursuite de Meaux" which tried to
kill King Charles IX and Queen-Mother, Catherine de Médici in 1567, their
possessions were confiscated, and executed. Guyonne escaped this faith because
of her mental instbility. She sought refuge in Laval and diged a few months
later. She was succeeded by her sister Clude, or his son Paul, who took the name
of Guy XIX he died 1586.
1548-66 Sovereign Duchess Diane de Portiers of Valentinos and d'Étampes
She was the mistress of King Henri II of France and first married to Louis de
Breze, Count de Maulevrier. She hat tree daughters, Francoise de Breze, Countess
de Maulevrier, who was married to Robert von der Marck, lord of Sedan, Duc de
Bouillon, Louise de Breze, Dame d'Anet, who was married to Claude of Lorraine,
Duc d'Aumale, and by Henri II, she had Diane de Valois. She lived (1499-1566).
1549-1601 Sovereign Countess Henriette de March-Nevers of Rethel
1564-1601 Sovereign Duchess of Nevers (Belgium)
From 1549-64 she was Countess de Rethel and in 1564 she succeeded her brother
Jacques, who had succeeded their father, François de March Nevers in 1563. Her
husband Ludovico Gonzaga, Duke of Mantova was duke of Nevers-Rethel by the right
of his wife. Her father and brother had left her with large debts but she
managed to bring the financial situation back in order, and was one of the chief
creditors of the kingdom. Her son, Charles II de Gonzauge, had been co-governor
with his father of Champagne since 1589 and had become titular duke in 1595
after his father's death, but did not take part in the government until after
her death in 1601.
1550-74 Sovereign Duchess Marguerite de France of Berry
Daughter of François I of France and Duchess Claude de Bretagne, she was married
to Emmanuel-Philibert, duc de Savoie, and lived (1523-74).
1552-67 HM Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots
1558-87 Titular Duchess of Touraine
Mary became Queen of Scotland when she was just six days old. At age five she
was sent to France to be brought up in the French court, and eventually married
King Francis II, who died the next year, where after Mary returned to Scotland
where a series of politically unwise love affairs and her continued adherence to
Catholicism in a Protestant country led to trouble and a revolt against her.
Forced to flee to England for refuge, she now faced the fears of Queen Elizabeth
I who saw her as a rival to her throne. Elizabeth kept Mary under a form of
imprisonment for the next 19 years. Watched closely, she was implicated in a
series of conspiracies against Queen Elizabeth, and was executed. She lived
(1552-87).
1556-57 Regent Dowager Princess Françoise de Brézé of Sedan and Bouillon
Regent after the death of her husband, Robert IV de Sedan, who was also created
Duke de Bouillon. She was daughter of Diane de Portier, mistress of the French
King. Françoise was also Countess of Maulevrier and had two sisters, Diane de
Valois, who was Duchess of Chatellerault etc., and Louise de Brézé, Dame d'Anet.
Françoise was mother of 9 children, and died 1557.
1560-63 Regent Dowager Queen Catherine de' Medici of France
1562-89 Sovereign Duchess of Valois, Countess Auvergne and Boulogne
She was Titular Countess of Urbino in Italy 1519-21. In 1533 she married to
Henri, Duke of Orleans, who became the French king in 1547. As Queen she was
very influential in bringing aspects of Italian culture to France, such as their
theater and food. After her husband's death, she gained political power as
regent for her sons (she had ten children). An ambitious woman, she actively
involved herself in the political intrigues of the court, always trying to
increase royal power. At first Catherine tried to reconcile France's opposing
Catholic and Protestant factions as their violent disputes threatened national
unity. But instead she initiated the massacre in 1570 of Protestants (the
massacre of St Bartholomew). Succeeded mother, Madeleine de la Tour, as Countess
of Auvergne and father Lorenzo II de Medici as titular Countess of Urbino. She
lived (1519-89)
Until 1561 Sovereign Countess Jacqueline-Marguerite de Longwy of Bar-sur-Seine
She was the first wife of Louis de Bourbon, Duc de Montpensier, Prince de La
Roche-sur-Yon and Dauphin d'Auvergne.
1564-1633 Sovereign Countess Catherine de Clèves-Nevers of Eu and Souveraine de
Chateau-Renaud
Succeeded brother, Jacques de Clèves, and was married to Henri de Lorraine, duc
du Guise. She lived (1548-1633)
1565-69 Sovereign Duchess Charlotte de Penthièvre
Succeeded by daughter, Marie de Penthièvre
Circa 1568-97 Sovereign Marquise Renée d'Anjou of Mézières, Countess de
Saint-Fargeau
Married to François, Prince-Dauphin d'Auvergne, Duc de Montpensier (1582), duc
de Saint-Argau (1572) and de Châtellerault (1582/84), who lived (circa 1542-92).
She (d. 1597).
1569-1623 Sovereign Princess Marie de Penthièvre of Martigues
She was created Princess after her father, Sebastien de Luxembourg, Duke de
Penthièvre, was killed. She married Philibert-Emmanuel de Lorraine, duc de
Meroeur (d. 1602). And their daughter brought Martigues to her husband, Cécar de
Bourbon-Vendome, legitimated son of Henri IV.
1572-1604 Sovereign Duchess Catherine de Navarra of Albert, Comtesse d'Armagnac
and Rodez
She succeeded her mother, Juana III of Navarra, and was also Princess of Navara
and "Madame France" through her father, Antoine de Vendome. Sister of King Henri
IV of Frace and married to Henri de Lorraine, Duc de Bar, who was succeeded by
his daughter by the second marriage, Nicoläa. Cathrine had no children, and
lived (1559-1604).
1572-90 Countess Regnant Marguerite de Foix of Candale, d'Astarac et de Bénauges
After her brother, Henri, was killed at Sommiéres, she inherited her family's
possessions. She was married to Jean-Louis de Nogaret de la Valette, Duc
d'Epernon (1554-1642), but had no children. She imprisoned her sister, Madame
Françoise de Candale (d. 1649), and forced her to become a nun, but after her
death Françoise left the convent and started a process in order to gain the
family possessions. Marguerite lived (1567-93).
1574-84 Regent Dowager Duchess Françoise de Brézé of Sagan
She was Countess de Maulevner in her own right. After the death of her husband
Henri-Robert de La March, Duke of Sagan and Titular Duke of Bouillon, she was
regent for son Guillaume-Robert (1562-88), who was succeeded by sister,
Charlotte. Françoise was daughter of King François and lived (...87).
Until 1574 Marquise Marie de Clèves de l'Isle, Countess de Beaufort
Daughter of Francois I de Clèves, Duke of Nevers. 1574 she married Henri I de
Bourbon, Prince de Conde, Duc d'Enghien, she died during the birth of her
daughter, Catherine de Bourbon, Marquise d'Isles (1574-95). Marie lived
(1553-74).
1574-95 Marquise Catherine de Bourbon of de l'Isle, Countess de Beaufort
Succeeded mother, Marie de Clèves, who died during her birth. Catherine lived
(1574-95).
1576-78 Sovereign Duchess Elizabeth d'Austrice of Berry
She was given the duchy after the death of her husband, King Charles IX
(1550-60-74), the son of Henri II and Catherine de' Medici. Their only child was
a daughter - Princess Marie-Elisabeth who lived (1572-78) - and Charles
therefore was succeeded by his brother Henri III. Elizabeth lived (1554-78).
1579-1623/24 Sovereign Duchess Marie de Luxembourg-Saint-Pôl of Penthièvre
Succeeded father. Her husband, Philippe Emmanuel de Lorraine, was Duke of
Penthièvre 1579-1602 by the right of his wife. She was succeeded by daughter,
Françoise de Lorraine in 1623 or 1624.
1580-1611 Sovereign Marquise Henriette de Savoie of Villars, Countess of Tende
and Sommerive
She was daughter of Honoré II and Jeanne-François de Foix and married to Charles
de Lorraine. Her daughter, Catherine de Lorraine (1585-16189) and her husband,
Carlo I Gonzaga, Duke of Mantova, Monferrato, Nevers and Rethel were Duchess and
Duke of Mayenne. Henriette lived (1541-1611).
1581-1604 Sovereign Duchess Claude Catherine de Clermont of Retz
Originally Dame de Dampierre and Baronne de Retz she was created Duchess-regnant
together with her husband. She lived (circa 1543-1604).
1582-1615 Sovereign Duchess Marguerite of Valois, Senlis, Clermont et d'Étampes
1608-15 Countess of Auvergne et d'Eu
Succeeded mother, Catherine de Medici, in Valois. In 1572 she was forced to
marry the Protestant Henri of Navarra (later Henri IV) to seal a
Catholic-Protestant reconciliation. She was involved in a number of extramarital
love affairs at the courts of both her brother Henri III at Paris and her
husband at Nerac. Expelled from the royal court for her political intrigues, she
returned to the unwilling Navarre in 1584. After taking up arms against her
husband, she was banished to the castle of Usson in Auvergne, where she soon
took control. In 1599, ten years after her husband's accession to the throne,
she consented to the annulment of her marriage. he was a very important cultural
personality, her charm and literary talent were admired by the leading writers
of the age and was also known as Reine Magot. She lived (1553-1615).
1582-1619 Sovereign Duchess Diane de Valois of Châtellerault, d'Angoulême et
d'Etampes
Daughter of Diane de Portiers and King Henri II of France, and was legitimized
as Princess of France in 1548. She married Orazio Farnese, Duke of Castro and
secondly with François Villers-Cotterets, Duke de Montmorency. She lived
(1538-1619).
1589-1601 Sovereign Duchess Louise de Lorraine-Vaudémont of Berry
Widow of Henri III, count of Angoulême (1551), Duke d'Orléans, d'Anjou and
Bourbon (1566), King of Poland (1573). Louise lived (1553-1601).
1590-1603 Joint Sovereign Countess Gabrielle of Joigny
Jointly with Countess Anne.
1590-? Joint Sovereign Countess Anne of Joigny
Jointly with Countess Gabrielle.
1595-99 Duchess Gabrielle d'Estree of Beaufort and Verneuil, Marquise de
Monceaux
She was the mistress of Henri IV of France, and was active in persuading him to
convert from Protestantism to Catholism. She died after having given birth to a
still-born child, her third, and lived (1571-99).
1608-56 Sovereign Duchess Henriette Catherine de Joyeuse, Countess du Bouchage
and Baroness des Roches
Succeeded father, and married to Henri de Bourbon, Duc de Montpensier de
Châtellerault de Saint-Fargeau and Prince souverain des Dombes etc., who was
succeeded by their daughter, Marie de Bourbon. The Duchy of Joyeuse passed
trough another line. (1585-1656).
1608-27 Sovereign Duchess Marie de Bourbon of Montpensier, Châtellerault et de
Saint-Fargeau and Princesse Souveraine des Dombe, Countess de Mortain etc.
Daughter of Henri de Bourbon, who was killed. She married Gaston of France, who
was Duc d'Orléans, Chartres, Valois, d'Alençon, Comte de Blois, de Monthéry et
de Limours etc. Succeeded by daughter Anne-Marie and lived (1605-27).
1610-17 Regent Dowager Queen Marie de' Medici of France
1612-19 Governor of Normandie (Normandy)
1619-39 Countess d'Anjou
Daughter of Francesco de' Medici, grand duke of Toscana and became the second
wife of King Henri IV in 1600. After his assassination she became regent for her
son Louis XIII. She reversed the policies set by her husband. Having remained in
power for three years beyond the king's majority, Marie was forced into exile
after the murder of Concini in 1617. In 1619 her partisans rose in revolt, but
she was reconciled to her son in 1622. After the rise to power of her former
favourite, Cardinal Richelieu, she attempted to regain influence by urging the
king to dismiss his minister of state; instead Louis forced his mother into a
new exile at Compiègne, whence she fled to the Netherlands in 1631, never to
return to France. One of her children was the politically influential Henrietta
Maria, Queen of Charles I of England. Marie lived (1573-1642).
1623-26 Regent Princess Dowager Elisabeth van Nassau of Sedan
Her husband, de La Tour d'Auvergne, Duc de Bouillon tried to keep his small but
independent state of Sedan independent from France, but as more and more
Huguenots came for refuge, it became a Protestant center within an increasingly
hostile Catholic country. After her husband's death, she was regent for son,
Frédéric-Maurice (1605-52). She had also acted as regent during her husband's
absence and continued to act as temporary regent for son. Two of her sisters
were regents in Hanau and The Rhine. She lived (1577-1642).
1623/24-69 Sovereign Duchess Françoise de Lorraine of Mercoeur and Penthièvre
Daughter of Duchess Marie de Luxembourg-Saint-Pôl (1579-1602), and succeeded
father, Cécar de Bourbon, Duc de Vendome, the son of Gabrielle d'Estree and
Charles II de Lorraine. She married Louis, who was created duke of her
possessions after their marriage. She lived (1692-1669).
1624-57 Sovereign Duchess Nicole of Lorraine
Also known as Nikolaea or Nicoläa of Lothringen, she was daughter of Heinrich
der Gute von Lothringen, who was succeeded by Franz de Vaudemont in 1624, who
abdicated after 2 months. Her husband, Karl IV was Duke 1625-34 by the right of
his wife - until his abdication. France occupied the Duchy 1633-36 and 1641-75.
She lived (1608-57).
Until 1624 Sovereign Duchess Diane de Luxembourg-Saint-Pôl of Piney
Daughter of Count Charles de Ligny (d. 1608) and Brienne and Marie de Nogaret.
Her sister was Louise, Countess de Brienne (1567-1647).
1637-48 Stadtholder Countess Ursula von Solms-Braunfels of the Principality of
Orange
After the death of her husband, Christoph, Burgrave and Lord zu
Donha-Schlobitten, she took over his post governor. She was daughter of Count
Johann Albrecht I von Solms-Braunfels in Braunfels and Gambit and Countess Agnes
zu Sayn-Wittgenstein. Ursula was succeded by her son, Friedrich
(1621-48-60-88). She and lived (1594-1657).
1638-75 Sovereign Duchess Marie Madeleine de Vignerot of Aiguillon
The niece of the Cardinal Richelieu, as daughter of his sister Françoise (d.
1615) who was René Vignerot, seigneur de Pont-Courlay (d. 1625). She was an
renowned cultural personality of her times and her Salon was famous. Succeeded
by niece Marie-Thérèse Vignerot, and lived (1604-1675).
1641-94 Sovereign Duchess Claire-Clémence de Maillé-Brézé of Fronsac
She was daughter of the Marshall of France, Urbain de Maillé, marquis of Brézé,
and Nicole du Plessis, who was insane and died in 1635. Claire-Clémence
succeeded her uncle , Cardinal Richelieu, Premier Minister of France the same
year she married Louis II de Bourbon-Condé, Duke d'Enghien, Prince de Condé
(1621-86), but like her mother, she was mentally instable, a condition inherited
by her son, Henri Jules de Bourbon-Condé, who married Anne de Baverie, Duchesse
de Guise and Joyeuse. Claire-Clémence lived (1628-94).
1643-51 Regent Dowager Queen Anne d'Austrice of France
She was Infanta of Spain and the eldest daughter of Felipe III of Spain, and
married Louis XIII, King of France, in 1615. After some political maneuvering
she attained full powers as Regent and as such she placed the well-being of
France before anything else. She ignored the representatives of the Catholic
party and made Cardinal Mazarin Prime Minister. Both continued the policies laid
out by Richelieu, which decided against a peace treaty with Germany and The
Netherlands. At one stage, Anne even went to war against her brother, King
Felipe IV of Spain, and in negotiations refused to make any compromises. In 1648
the revolution called "the Fronde" began and would last until 1653. This
rebellion started in Paris and was supported by the higher nobility as well as
by the common people who had had enough of war and the ever increasing taxes.
The rebels blamed Mazarin and not only demanded his removal but also wanted him
expelled from France. In 1661 Mazarin died and Louis XIV took over control of
the country. From then on Anna was given only representative roles. In 1666 she
died of cancer, after having lived (1601-66).
1648-84 Sovereign Duchess Marguerite de Rohan-Frontenay of Rohan, Duchess de
Porhoët-León et Soubize et Princesse de León
In 1645 Louis XIV allowed her to keep her status and dignity of Princess if she
married Henri Chabot, Seigneur de Sainte-Aulaye, who was created Duke de Rohan
in 1648. Their children got the surname Rohan-Chabot. Succeeded first by son and
then by daughter, Anne in 1686. Marguerite lived (1617-84).
1652-74 Sovereign Duchess Marie Jeanne de Savoie-Nemours of Nemours
1659-1724 Duchess of Aumale
1675-84 Regent Dowager Queen of Savoia (Italy)
Also known as Marie-Giovanna-Babtiste, she succeeded father, Charles Amédée de
Savoie-Nemours of Aumale in Nemours and uncle in Aumale. After the death of her
husband Carlo-Emmanuelle II of Savoia, she was regent for son Victor-Amedée of
Sardegnia (1666-1732). She lived (1644-1724).
1653-96 Sovereign Duchess Marie Françoise de Valois of Angoulême
Succeeded father, Louis Emmanuel, because all her brother died before her,
except Antoine Charles, who was illegitimate. Her great-grandfather was
illegitimate son of Charles IX. Her husband, Louis de Lorraine, Duke de Joyeuse
was joint ruler until his death in 1654. She lived (1632-96).
1655-63 Sovereign Duchess Marie de Rohan-Montbazon of Chevereuse
She bought the duchy from her husband, Claude de Lorraine (1578-1657), and later
left it to her grandson by her fist marriage, Charles Honoré d'Albert de Luynes.
She (d. 1679).
1658-90 Governor Marie Bonnard du Parquet of Martinique (French External
Territory)
After the death of her husband, governor Jacque Dyel de Parquet (1635-46 and
1647-58), she took over as regent for the oldest of their six children, who had
been designated as governor by the French king. After an insurrection of the
colonists, she left for France but died at sea.
1660-82 Sovereign Duchess Anne-Marie-Louise d'Orléans of Montpensier, Countess
d'Eu, Mortain etc.
As a French Princess she was also called La Grande Mademoiselle. She was
daughter of Gaston d’Orlèans, the brother of Louis XIII. She took an active part
on the rebel side in the Fronde of the Princes. In 1652 she relived the city of
Orlèans at the head of her troops and opened the gates of Paris to Louis II de
Bourbon, prince de Condé, and his army. Exiled with her father in 1652, she
returned to court in 1657. She fell in love with the duc de Lauzun and got the
king’s permission for their marriage - but it was later revoked (1670). Shortly
thereafter, Lauzun was imprisoned She bought his release in 1681 and apparently
married him, but they soon separated. She spent the rest of her life in pious
works and the composition of her memoirs. She lived (1627-93).
1661-1701 Sovereign Duchess Madeleine Charlotte de Clermont-Tonnerre of
Piney-Luxembourg, Princesse de Tigny, Countess de Piney and Baroness de Dangu
Her mother, Marguerite Charlotte de Luxembourg, had been Duchess since 1616 and
in 1661 she resigned in favour of her son by the first marriage, Henri León
d'Albert de Luxembourg. Later the same year, he resigned in Madeleine's favour
in order to become a deacon (known as L'Abbe de Luxembourg). She was born in her
mother's second marriage with Charles Henri de Clermont-Tonnerre, and when she
married Francois-Henri de Montmorency, who became known as the Duc de
Piney-Luxembourg. Luxembourg. Madeleine-Charlotte-Bonne-Thérèse de Clermont "called
de Luxembourg" lived (1635-1701).
1661 Claimant to the Duchy of Piney Marie Charlotte de Luxembourg
She claimed the duchy, upon the resignation of her relative, Henri León d'Albert
de Luxembourg, and simultaneously resigned it to her Madeleine and her
son-in-law, François-Henri de Montmorency, comte de Luxe (1628-95), whose family
used the title of duke of Montmorency-Luxembourg, after a prolonged legal battle,
but this peerage was never considered to have been created.
1661-63 Sovereign Duchess Marie Catherine de La Rochefouchauld-Randan of Randan
She was heiress of the County of Randan and was created Duchess, with a
remainder to her daughter, Marie Claire de Bauffremont-Sennecey and her male
children with Jean-Baptiste Gaston de Foix de Candale, Comte de Fleix. They both
resigned in 1663 in favour of Marie Claire's son, who was known as duc de Foix.
Marie Catherine (d. 1677).
1667-75 Sovereign Duchess Louise-Françoise de La Baume Le Blanc of Vallière
She was given the duchy in 1667, but eight years later she resigned in favour of
her daughter, whose father was King Louis XIV, Marie-Anne de Bourbon, upon
entering the Carmelite order as Louise de la Miséricode. She lived (1644-1710).
1670-73 Politically Active Queen Eleonora Maria Josefa von Habsburg of Poland
1690-97 Politically Active Dowager Duchess of Lorraine
Politically active during reign of her first husband, king Michał Korybut
Wiśniowieckiof Poland, and in 1673 she prevented the civil war in Poland. After
the death of her second husband, Karl IV Leopold, she tried to fulfill the last
wishes of her husband by putting all her energy into the return of Lorraine to
her children. At the German Reichstag in Regensburg she presented an offer for
the restoration of Lorraine and established the rights of her eldest son,
Leopold Joseph. In 1697 at the Treaty of Rijswijk she achieved her aims, but
died only a few weeks after. Mother of 5 children with second husband, and lived
(1653-97).
1675-96 Sovereign Duchess Elisabeth d'Orléans of Alençon and d'Angoulême
Daughter of Gaston, Duc d'Orléans, and lived (1646-1696).
1675-88 Sovereign Duchess Marie de Lorraine of Guise et de Joyeuse
Daughter of Henriette-Catherine de Joyeuse, she succeeded grand-nephew. In 1686
she left Guise and Joinville to Charles de Stainville, Comte de Couvonges, with
a remainder to the younger sons of the duke of Lorraine's younger sons and
their heirs male. She also left Joyeuse by an act of 1688 to Charles Francois de
Lorraine, prince de Commercy.) The donation of 1686 was voided by the Parlement
de Paris in 1689, and Anna Henrietta Julia of Bavaria, second daughter of the
prince Palatine, distant cousin of the deceased, inherited Guise and Joinville.
Marie de Lorraine lived (1615-1688).
.
1675-1704 Sovereign Duchess Marie Madeleine Thérèse de Vignerot of Aiguillon,
Demoiselle d'Agénois et Baronne de Saujon
She succeeded aunt, Marie-Madeleine Vignerot. She became a nun, and at her death
the title was inherited by her nephew Louis-Armand, marquis de Richelieu.
Marie-Thérèse lived (1635-1705).
1675-98 Sovereign Duchess Marie-Anne de Bourbon of Vallière
Her mother, Louise-Françoise de La Baume Le Blanc, resigned in her favour. In
1698 she gave the duchy to her cousin, Charles-François de La Baume Le Blanc.
She had no children in her marriage with Prince Louis-Armand I de Bourbon-Conti,
prince de la Roche-sur-Yon (1661-85). Also known as Marie-Anne de Blois, she was
daughter of King Louis XIV, and lived (1666-1739).
1686-1709 Sovereign Duchess Anne de Rohan-Chabot of Rohan-Porhoët and León
Daughter of Marguerite de Rohan-Frontenay, sovereign Duchess of Rohan from 1638,
and Henri Chabot, who was created Duke of Rohan in 1648. Married to François de
Soubise.
1686-1715 Politically influential Marchioness Françoise de Maintenon in France
In 1652 Françoise d'Aubigne married Scarron and entered the Literary Salons of
Paris. In 1669 she became governess to the children of Louis XIV by Madame de
Montespan, much to the dissatisfaction of the king, who did not like the extreme
gravity and reserve of the young widow. Françoise's talents and wisdom soon
attracted Louis' attention, and she became his confidant and adviser, and was
made a marchioness. She refused to become his mistress, and in 1686 she married
Louis to the "left hand", and exercised a disastrous influence on him,
encouraging a reactionary politics. She lived (1635-1719).
1689-1723 Sovereign Duchess Anna Henrietta Julia de Bavière of Guise and
Joinville
She succeeded a distant cousin, Marie de Lorraine, who by an act of 1686 had
left Guise and Joinville to Charles de Stainville, comte de Couvonges, but this
donation was voided by the Parlement de Paris in 1689, and Anna Henrietta Julia
, second daughter of the prince Palatine, succeeded to the title. She was
married to prince Henri-Jules de Bourbon-Condé, and the duchy was raised to the
peerage again for them and their descendants in 1704. Anne Henriette Julie von
Bayern was member of the Pfalz-Simmeren-sideline, and father became Kurfürst of
Bavaria. She lived (1648-1723).
1692-1719 Politically Influential Princess Anne Louise Bénédicte de
Bourbon-Condé in France
She was married to the Duke of Maine, the natural son of Louis XVI. She was both
intelligent and energetic, and she was very influential at court. She took part
of the conspiracies in 1718 organized by the Cardinal of Polignac against the
Regent with the aim of placing Philippe V of Spain on the throne of France and
the Duc du Maine regent in his absence. (1676-1753).
1698-1720 Sovereign Duchess Marie Anne de Bourbon-Condé Conti of Bourbon
She was daughter of François-Louis de Condé, Duke of Conti and Marie-Therese de
Bourbon-Conti. She was fourth in line for the Stuart-throne of England and
Scotland. Maria Anna lived (1666-1732).
1705-48 Sovereign Duchesse Elisabeth de Lorraine-Lillebonne of
Luxembourg-Saint-Pôl
Princess Elisabeth d'Epinoy bought the Duchy in 1705. After her death it passed
to her son and after his death in 1724 to his sister, The Princesse de Soubise.
1729... Regent Duchess Elisabeth Charlotte d'Orléans of Lorraine
1737- 44 Sovereign Princess of Commercy
The Madame Royale was born as Princess of France, Mademoiselle de Chartres and
married Leopold Joseph, Duke of Lorraine (1679-1729). Gave birth to at least 13
children most of whom died within a few weeks. Later she was created Duchess de
Commercy and after her death the duchy her brother-in-law, Stanislav. She lived
(1676-1744).
1734-63 Hereditary Countess Marie Anne Victoria de Soissons of Soissons
After the death of her nephew, Eugene François de Soisson, Duke of Troppau
(1714-29-34), she became heiress to the county. Married to Duke Joseph of
Sachsen-Hildburghausen until their divorce in 1752. She lived (1683-1763).
1745-90 Politically influential Marquise Jeanne Antoinette Poisson Le Normant
d'Étioles de Pompadour in France
Madame de Pompadour was the mistress of King Louis XV of France for about 5
years after 1745, and remained his confidante until her death. Of middle-class origin,
she owed her success mainly to her intelligence and capabilities. She urged the
appointment of the duc de Choiseul and other ministers and encouraged the French
alliance with Austria, which involved France in the Seven Years War. She
favoured Voltaire and other writers of the Encyclopédie. She employed many
artists to decorate her residences, and encouraged the manufacture of Sèvres
ware. She lived (1721-64).
1767 Countess Marie Leszczynska of Lorraine
The daughter of Stanislas Leszczynski (1677-1766), who was placed on the throne
of Poland by Karl XII of Sweden who gained this territory in a military campaign
in 1704. Stanislas was deposed in 1709, and left the country to settle in the
French province of Lorraine and bar. At the age of 23 she was chosen to be the
wife of the 16 year old Louis XV. Marie was a very quiet, gentle, and extremely
religious person who fulfilled her obligation by having ten children, and
provided an heir to the throne. In 1733 Louis took his first mistress. In 1737
Maria had her tenth and last child, and from that time onward, Louis treated his
wife with frigid courtesy, never speaking to her except when others were
present. She held her own court in her chambers, receiving guests and carrying
out ceremonial function and did not become involved in court intrigues and lived
a quiet, peaceful existence. She lived (1703-68).
1769-74 Politically Influential Countess Jeanne du Barry in France
Her unpopularity contributed to the decline of the prestige of the crown in the
early 1770s. She was born Marie-Jeanne Bécu, the illegitimate daughter of
lower-class parents. After a convent education, she was a shop assistant in a
fashion house in Paris. While there she became the mistress of Jean du Barry,
who introduced her into Parisian high society, and her beauty captivated a
succession of nobly born lovers before she attracted Louis XV's attention in
1768. Du Barry arranged a nominal marriage between Jeanne and his brother,
Guillaume du Barry, and in April 1769 she joined Louis XV's court. She
immediately joined the faction that brought about the downfall of Louis XV's
minister of foreign affairs, the Duke de Choiseul, in 1770; and she then
supported the drastic judicial reforms instituted by her friend the chancellor
René-Nicolas de Maupeou, in 1771. On the accession of Louis XVI, Madame du Barry
was banished to a nunnery; from 1776 until the outbreak of the Revolution she
lived on her estates with the Duke de Brissac. In 1792 she made several trips to
London, probably to give financial aid to French émigrés. Condemned as a
counter-revolutionary by the Revolutionary Tribunal of Paris in December 1793,
she was guillotined, and lived (1743-93).
1774-92 Politically Influential Queen Marie-Antoniette von Habsburg-Lorraine of
France
Very influential during the reign of her husband, Louis XVI (1774-92), and her
very autocratic opinions and luxurious life-style was a contributing factor the
to the French Revolution during which both her husband, son and herself was
executed. She lived (1755-93).
1804 Chief Air Minister of Ballooning
1814-19 Official Aeronaut of the Restoration Madeléine-Sophie Blanchard, France
She was the most famous female aeronaut of her day, became the star of France,
and was a favourite of Napoleon Bonaparte. She carried on the tradition of her
husband Jean-Pierre, who passed on in 1809. She was killed when her hydrogen
balloon caught fire as she watched a fireworks display. She was the first woman
to lose her life while flying, and lived (1778-1819).
1810 Regent Queen Hortense de Beauharnais of The Netherlands
1813-37 Titular Duchess of Saint-Leu
In 1810 her husband, Louis Bonaparte abdicated as king in favour of their second
surviving son, Napoleon Louis (b. 1804) after four years on the throne, and
appointed her as regent, before going into exile. The following year she gave
birth to a fourth son who was put in the care of his paternal grandmother,
Madame de Souza. After Napoleon I's surrender, she received the title of
Duchesse de Saint-Leu, and lost the rank of Queen. Her husband only received the
title of Count de Saint-Leu. In 1814 she and Louis Napoleon were divorced. Her
third son Louis Napoleon was later first elected President and then became
emperor Napoleon III of France. Hortense was daughter of Vicomte Alexander de
Beauharnais and the later Empress Joséphine (see below), and she spend the years
from five to 10 on Martinique when her parents separated. She lived (1783-1837).
1810-14 Titular Duchess Joséphine de Beauharnais of Navarre
After her divorce from Napoleon I Bonaparte, she was given the title of Duchess
de Navarre after a castle in Normandy. Born as Marie-Josephe-Rose Tascher de la
Pagerie at Martinique, she lived (1763-1814).
1812-13 Regent Empress Marie-Louise von Habsburg-Lothringen of France
1814-47 Sovereign Duchess of Parma e Piacenza and Gaustalla (Italy)
Regent during her husband, Napoleon Is war in Russia. After Napoleon's
abdication she and her son, Napoleon Francis Joseph Charles Bonaparte (King of
Rome and later Duke of Reichstadt), fled Paris to Blois and then to Vienna where
she remained until granted the duchies in Italy by her family. In 1821, four
months after Napoleon's death, she married, morganatically, her lover, Count
Adam-Adalbert von Neipperg (1775-1829). They alreadyhad two children Albertine
(1817-67) and Wilhelm Albrecht, Count and later Prince of Montenuovo (1819-95)
and in 1822 they had Mathilde. In 1834 Marie-Louise married her grand
chamberlain, Charles-René, Count of Bombelles (1785-1856). She was born Marie
Louise Leopoldine Franziska Theresia Josepha Lucia, Princess Imperial and
Archduchess of Austria, Princess Royal of Hungary and Bohemia as the daughter of
Emperor Franz I of Austria and his second wife, Maria Theresa of the Two
Sicilies, and lived (1791-1847).
1832 Coup Leader Duchess Marie Caroline Ferdinande Louise de Borbone de Berry in
France
She went into exile from France after the overthrow of King Charles X, her
father-in-law. Returning secretly in 1832, she organized a small, unsuccessful
uprising in an attempt to win the throne her son Henri, later known as the comte
de Chambord, who was born almost eight months after the assassination of her
husband, the French prince, Charles Ferdinand, duc de Berry. For these
activities she was imprisoned. However, when it became obvious that the Duchesse
was pregnant, she was forced to reveal her secret second marriage to an Italian
count. This marriage alienated her royalist supporters, and the French
government released her from prison, but she was sent into exile again. She was
daughter of Francisco I of the Two Sicilies, and lived (1798-1870).
1859, 1864 and 1870 Regent Empress Eugènie de Guzman Lopez de Zuñiga Royas y
Kirkpatric of France
She was regent during her husband, Emperor Napoleon III Bonapartes' warfares
against Prussia. Her full name was Eugenia-Maria Ignacia Augustina de Guzman
Lopez de Zuñiga Royas y Kirkpatric, 10th Condesa de Moya de Ardalesy de Osera,
Condesa de Teba, Abitas, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Vizcondesa de la Calzada etc.
Her sister, Doña Paca, was 9th Condesa de Montijo, 11th Condesa de Penarañda
etc. They succeeded their father, Don Cipriano de Guzman Lopez de Zuñiga Royas y
Leiva, in 1839. Their mother was the American Mary Kirkpatrick. Empress
Eugenie's son died young and her titles were inherited by her sister's children
and the present holder of these and many other titles are the 18th Duquesa de
Alba. Eugenie's husband was President of France (1848-52) and Emperor (1852-70).
She lived (1825-1920).
1991-92 Premier Minister Edith Cresson, France
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, External 1981-83, Trade 1983-84,
Industry 1984-86, European Affairs 1988-90. She was European Union Commissioner
for Science, Research, Education and Youth 1995-99. In march 1999 she brought
along the downfall of the EU-Commission as she refused the step down after a
rapport had demonstrated that she was responsible of nepotism and mismanagement.
(b. 1934-)
Last update 06.09.06