Archambaud of Grailly facts for kids
Archambaud de Grailly (born 1330, died 1412) was an important French nobleman during the Middle Ages. He was the Viscount of Castillon and Gruson from 1356 until his death. Later, he also became the Count of Bénauges and Captal de Buch in 1369. Archambaud became the Count of Foix when he married Isabella, Countess of Foix.
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A Noble Family and War
Archambaud came from the powerful House of Grailly. This family originally lived near Lake Geneva. However, Archambaud's father started working for King Edward III of England. He became a governor in southern France, in a region called Guyenne. The Grailly family was very loyal to England during the Hundred Years' War. This was a long conflict between England and France.
Fighting in the Hundred Years' War
After his father passed away, Archambaud took control of Castillon and Gruson. He soon joined his nephew, Jean III de Grailly, in battle. On September 19, 1356, they fought in the Battle of Poitiers. The English won this battle, and the French King, John II, was captured.
This victory led to the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360. This treaty allowed England to keep a large part of southern France. For several years, the Grailly family helped defend these lands. The French general, Bertrand du Guesclin, tried to win them back. Archambaud and his family supported King Charles II of Navarre. Charles wanted to become the King of France and was fighting against France.
Capture and Release
On May 16, 1364, Archambaud fought in the Battle of Cocherel. The French army, led by Bertrand du Guesclin, defeated the English and Navarrese forces. Archambaud and his nephew were captured. Archambaud was likely set free in 1372. He had to pay 500 gold francs to gain his freedom.
By this time, his nephew had died in 1369 without children. So, Archambaud became his nephew's heir. On March 2, 1377, the King of England also made Archambaud the Seneschal of Biscay. This was an important position in the government.
Changing Sides
In 1381, Archambaud married Isabella, Countess of Foix. She was the only daughter of the Viscount Castelbon. Isabella belonged to the House of Foix. This family was very rich and powerful in southern France. Isabella was a distant cousin of Gaston Fébus, the head of the Foix family.
An Unexpected Inheritance
Around the same time, Gaston Fébus's only son died. Then, in 1398, Isabella's younger brother, Matthew, also died without children. This meant that Isabella was the last living member of the House of Foix. She inherited all their lands and titles.
Archambaud became a co-ruler of the County of Foix through his marriage. He also became the Viscount of Béarn, Marsan, Lautrec, and Castelbon. He even became a co-prince of Andorra.
Loyalty to France
However, the King of France did not like this inheritance. He did not want such a large part of his kingdom to be controlled by someone loyal to England. So, the French general, Connétable de Sancerre, marched an army into the County of Foix. He took control of many areas.
Isabella and Archambaud could not fight this threat alone. They decided to become loyal to France. In the Treaty of Tarbes, signed on May 10, 1399, Isabella and Archambaud agreed to recognize the French King as their ruler for the County of Foix. Archambaud also ended his loyalty to England. As a sign of their commitment, they sent their two oldest sons to the royal court in Paris as hostages.
This agreement secured the position of the new Foix family within the French Kingdom. Archambaud's descendants would now use the names and symbols of his wife's family, the House of Foix. Archambaud no longer had to choose between England and France. The Hundred Years' War had paused due to problems in both kingdoms. In 1412, Archambaud was rewarded for his new loyalty. He was made Lieutenant-General of Languedoc. He died shortly after this.
Family and Children
Archambaud de Grailly married Isabella, Countess of Foix (who died in 1428) in 1381. They had five sons:
- John I, Count of Foix (born 1382, died May 4, 1436): He took over as Count of Foix and other titles.
- Gaston I de Foix-Grailly (died after 1455): He became the Captal de Buch and Count of Longueville.
- Archambaud (died September 10, 1419): He was Lord of Navailles. He worked for Duke John the Fearless of Burgundy and was killed with him at Montereau.
- Mathieu de Foix-Comminges (died December 1453): He married Countess Marguerite de Comminges and later Catharine d’Aspet.
- Pierre de Foix, le vieux (born 1386, died December 13, 1464, at Avignon): He became a Cardinal in 1409. He was also a Bishop and later an Archbishop.
