Blanche of Navarre, Countess of Champagne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blanche of Navarre |
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Countess Blanche on her seal
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| Born | c. 1177 |
| Died | c. 13 March 1229 |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | Theobald I of Navarre |
| House | Jiménez |
| Father | Sancho VI of Navarre |
| Mother | Sancha of Castile, Queen of Navarre |
Blanche of Navarre (born around 1177, died 1229) was an important noblewoman. She became the Countess of Champagne when she married Theobald III, Count of Champagne. After her husband died, she ruled Champagne as a regent for her young son, Theobald I of Navarre, from 1201 to 1222.
Contents
Her Early Years and Family
Blanche was the youngest daughter of Sancho VI of Navarre, who was the King of Navarre. Her mother was Sancha of Castile. Sadly, her mother passed away in 1179, when Blanche was only about two years old.
Blanche had an older brother named Sancho VII. He became king after their father. Sancho VII was the last male relative in their family line to rule Navarre. Blanche also had an older sister, Berengaria, who married Richard I of England, also known as Richard the Lionheart.
Her Marriage to Theobald III
Blanche married Theobald III, Count of Champagne, on July 1, 1199. The wedding took place in a city called Chartres. At the time of their marriage, Blanche was 22 years old, and Theobald was 20.
Becoming Regent of Champagne
Sadly, Theobald III died young on May 24, 1201. Blanche was pregnant at the time. A few days later, on May 30, 1201, she gave birth to a son. He was named Theobald, and he immediately became Theobald IV, Count of Champagne.
Since her son was too young to rule, Blanche became the regent. This meant she governed Champagne until Theobald turned 21 in 1222. Her time as regent was quite challenging.
Challenges During Her Rule
One big problem was the large amount of debt left by her husband's older brother, Henry II. Henry had been the elder son but had given his lands to his younger brother, Theobald III.
Another challenge came from Henry II's daughter, Philippa, and her husband, Erard I of Brienne. They claimed that Blanche's son, Theobald IV, did not have the right to rule Champagne. Erard was a very powerful noble in Champagne.
The Champagne War of Succession
This disagreement led to a war in 1215, known as the Champagne War of Succession. The fighting continued until Theobald became an adult in 1222.
Blanche acted quickly after her husband's death to protect her son's claim to Champagne. She met with King Philip of France and officially promised her loyalty to him. This was the first time a countess had done this. In return, she kept control of her lands and promised not to marry again without the king's permission.
Prince Louis, the king's son, also wrote a letter. He stated that neither he nor King Philip would allow anyone to challenge Theobald IV's claim until he was 21. This letter also confirmed that Henry II had indeed given his lands to his brother, Theobald III. Blanche and Theobald later paid a large sum of money to settle these claims.
Blanche also arranged the dowry for Henry II's older daughter, Alice of Champagne. Alice married Hugh I of Cyprus, who was a young king. Years later, to settle with Alice, Theobald IV had to sell his control over some areas like Blois and Sancerre to Louis IX of France.
Blanche's Retirement
Once her regency ended in 1222, Blanche decided to retire. She went to live in the Cistercian convent of Argensolles. She had helped fund the creation of this convent herself.
Her Final Years
In November 1226, King Louis VIII died. Some nobles suspected Theobald of being involved in his death. Because of this, Blanche of Castile, the Queen Regent of France, invited Blanche of Navarre to the coronation of the new king, Louis IX, instead of Theobald.
Blanche of Navarre passed away on March 13, 1229. She was about 52 years old. This was seven years after she finished her regency. In her will, she left money to the Cathedral of Reims. This money was used to build a statue to hold a holy relic.
After Blanche's death, her brother Sancho VII remained King of Navarre. Her son Theobald continued to be the Count of Champagne. Her older sister, Berengaria, who was the Queen of England, died in 1230 without having any children. This meant Sancho was the only surviving child of their father. When Sancho VII died in 1234, Blanche's son, Theobald IV of Champagne, became the next King of Navarre.
Theobald had married twice during his mother's lifetime. By the time Blanche died, he had one daughter, who was also named Blanche.
Blanche's Children
Blanche had two children with Theobald III of Champagne:
- Marie: Blanche had an older daughter named Marie before her husband died in May 1201. Not much is known about Marie. Since Blanche married in July 1199, Marie would have been less than two years old when her father passed away. One of the agreements Blanche made to secure her son's inheritance was that Marie had to be sent to be raised at the royal court in Paris.
- Theobald: He became Theobald IV, Count of Champagne, and later King Theobald I of Navarre.
See also
In Spanish: Blanca de Navarra (1177-1229) para niños
