Charles, Count of Valois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charles |
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Effigy of Charles of Valois, Basilica of Saint-Denis
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| Count of Valois | |
| Reign | 1284–1325 |
| Successor | Philip the Fortunate |
| Born | 12 March 1270 |
| Died | 16 December 1325 (aged 55) Nogent-le-Roi |
| Burial | St. Denis |
| Spouse |
Mahaut of Châtillon
(m. 1308) |
| Issue Among others... |
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| House | House of Capet House of Valois (founder) |
| Father | Philip III of France |
| Mother | Isabella of Aragon |
Charles of Valois (born March 12, 1270 – died December 16, 1325) was a very important French prince. He was the fourth son of King Philip III of France and Isabella of Aragon. Charles was a member of the House of Capet, which was the ruling family of France. He also started his own royal family branch, the House of Valois. This family would later rule France starting in 1328.
Charles held many important titles and lands during his life. He was the Count of Valois, Alençon, and Perche. Through his first marriage to Margaret, Countess of Anjou and Maine, he also became the Count of Anjou and Maine. His second marriage to Catherine I of Courtenay gave him the title of Latin Emperor of Constantinople. However, this was mostly a title, as he ruled from afar and only had power over some areas in Greece.
Charles was the grandson of King Louis IX of France. This meant he was related to many kings and queens. He was a son, brother, brother-in-law, and father-in-law to rulers of France, Navarre, England, and Naples. His family, the House of Valois, became the royal family of France just three years after he died. This happened when his oldest son, Philip VI of France, became king.
Contents
Charles's Life and Ambitions
Charles of Valois always dreamed of becoming a king himself. He spent much of his life trying to gain a crown, but he never quite succeeded.
Early Attempts to Gain a Crown
In 1284, Pope Martin IV offered Charles the title of King of Aragon. This was because the Pope was against the current King of Aragon, Peter III of Aragon. Charles married Margaret, the daughter of the King of Naples, to strengthen his claim. His father, King Philip III, even launched a military campaign called the Aragonese Crusade to help Charles. However, this effort didn't work out. Charles was even crowned with a cardinal's hat, which earned him the nickname "King of the Cap." He never used the royal seal made for him and had to give up the title.
Military Leadership
Charles was known for being a good military leader. In 1297, he successfully led troops in Flanders. His older brother, King Philip IV of France, saw his military skills. Philip IV thought Charles could lead an expedition in Italy against King Frederick III of Sicily. This conflict ended with the Treaty of Caltabellotta.
Dreams of an Imperial Crown
Charles continued to seek a royal title. In 1301, he married Catherine I of Courtenay. She was the official Empress of Constantinople, though she didn't actually rule there. Charles hoped this marriage would help him become an emperor. He went to Italy to gain support from Pope Boniface VIII. However, his time in Italy was difficult. He got involved in complicated local politics and faced financial problems. He returned to France in 1301–1302 without achieving his goal.
In 1308, the German King Albert I of Germany was killed. Charles's brother, King Philip IV, encouraged Charles to try for the German throne. Philip IV thought it would be good for France to have a French ruler in Germany. But the German electors chose Henry VII of Luxembourg instead. They didn't want France to become even more powerful. So, Charles's dream of an imperial crown remained unfulfilled.
Influence in France
Despite not becoming a king, Charles was very close to his brother, King Philip IV. Philip gave Charles many important tasks. In 1311, Charles led a royal group to talks with the Flemish people in Tournai. He sometimes had disagreements with other important people, like his brother's chamberlain, Enguerrand de Marigny.
When his nephew, King Louis X of France, died in 1316, Charles hoped to play a bigger role in French politics. However, his other nephew, Philip the Tall, became regent. A regent rules when the king is too young or unable to. When Louis X's baby son died shortly after birth, Philip the Tall became King Philip V of France. Charles first disagreed with Philip becoming king because Louis X had a daughter, Joan of France. But Charles later supported Philip. He likely realized that supporting Philip would bring his own family closer to the throne.
In 1324, Charles successfully led the army for his nephew, King Charles IV of France. Charles IV had become king in 1322. Charles of Valois helped take back lands in Guyenne and Flanders from King Edward II of England. His military actions helped bring about peace between France and England.
Charles of Valois died on December 16, 1325, in Nogent-le-Roi. He left behind a son, Philip VI, who would become the first king of the Valois family. If Charles had lived just three more years and outlived his nephew King Charles IV, he might have become King of France himself. Charles was buried in a church in Paris. His statue is now in the Basilica of St Denis.
Marriages and Children
Charles of Valois was married three times and had many children.
First Marriage
In August 1290, Charles married Margaret, Countess of Anjou and Maine (1272–1299). She was the daughter of King Charles II of Naples. They had these children:
- Isabella of Valois (1292 – 1309); she married John, Duke of Brittany.
- Philip VI of France (1293 – August 22, 1350), who became the first king of the Valois Dynasty.
- Joan of Valois, Countess of Hainaut (1294 – March 7, 1342); she married Count William I of Hainaut.
- Margaret of Valois, Countess of Blois (1295 – July 1342); she married Count Guy I of Blois.
- Charles II, Count of Alençon (1297 – August 26, 1346, at the Battle of Crécy). He was also Count of Perche, Chartres, and Joigny. He married twice.
- Catherine (1299 – died young).
Second Marriage
In 1302, he married Catherine I of Courtenay (1274–1307). She was the official Latin Empress of Constantinople. She was the daughter of Philip I, Emperor of Constantinople. They had:
- John (1302 – 1308), Count of Chartres.
- Catherine II of Valois (1303 – October 1346). She became the official Empress of Constantinople and Princess of Achaea. She married Prince Philip I of Taranto.
- Joan of Valois, Countess of Beaumont-le-Roger (1304 – July 9, 1363); she married Robert III of Artois, Count of Beaumont-le-Roger.
- Isabelle of Valois (1305 – November 11, 1349), who became an Abbess at Fontevrault.
Third Marriage
Finally, in 1308, Charles married Mahaut of Châtillon (1293–1358). She was the daughter of Guy IV of Châtillon, Count of Saint-Pol. They had:
- Marie of Valois, Duchess of Calabria (1309 – October 28, 1332); she married Duke Charles of Calabria.
- Isabella of Valois, Duchess of Bourbon (1313 – July 26, 1383). She married Duke Peter I of Bourbon.
- Blanche of Valois, Queen of Germany and Bohemia (1317 – 1348); she married King Charles IV of Germany and Bohemia. He later became a Holy Roman Emperor. She was sometimes called "Marguerite."
- Louis (1318 – November 2, 1328), Count of Chartres and Lord of Châteauneuf-en-Thymerais.
In Fiction
Charles of Valois is a main character in Les Rois maudits (The Accursed Kings). This is a series of French historical novels by Maurice Druon. He has been played by actors in TV adaptations of the books.
See also
In Spanish: Carlos de Valois para niños
