Conon de Béthune facts for kids
Conon de Béthune (born before 1160 in Artois, now Pas-de-Calais, France – died December 17, 1219, possibly in Adrianople) was a French crusader and a trouvère poet. Trouvères were poets and musicians in northern France who wrote songs. Conon became an important leader and later a temporary ruler (called a regent) of the Latin Empire of Constantinople.
Life of a Crusader and Poet
Conon de Béthune was likely born before 1160. He was the fifth son of Robert V de Béthune, a powerful lord from Béthune. His father died during the Third Crusade in 1191. Conon had four older brothers, who also held important positions.
Conon learned how to write poetry from his cousin, Hugues III d'Oisy. It seems Conon performed his songs for the French court around 1180. He even sang for Marie de Champagne, who was famous for supporting poets. Conon joked in one of his poems that his accent from Artois made him feel a bit shy!
Conon first joined the Third Crusade to Palestine. Later, in 1203, he went on the Fourth Crusade with his brother Guillaume. They joined the knights led by Baldwin, Count of Flanders.
When the army started, Conon was chosen as one of six knights to manage all the transport and supplies. When the crusaders reached Constantinople, he became their main spokesperson. He led the talks with the Byzantines. Another crusader, Geoffroi de Villehardouin, praised Conon. He said Conon was "a good knight, wise, and very eloquent."
Leading the Latin Empire
In 1204, the crusaders captured Constantinople. They created a new empire called the Latin Empire. Conon held many important jobs there. He was given the high title of protovestiarius, which was a chief financial officer.
In 1205, Conon helped Emperor Baldwin I make peace with another leader, Boniface of Montferrat. This happened before the Battle of Adrianople against the Bulgarians. Sadly, Emperor Baldwin was captured in this battle and later died.
Conon then served Baldwin's brother, Emperor Henry of Flanders, until Henry died in 1217. After Henry, Baldwin's sister, Yolanda of Flanders, became empress. During this time, Conon bravely defended the city of Adrianople. He was given an even higher title, sevastokrator, which was a senior military and administrative role.
When Yolanda died in 1219, her son Robert of Courtenay was supposed to become emperor. But he was far away in France. So, the other leaders of the empire chose Conon to be the regent. A regent is someone who rules for a short time when the true ruler is away or too young. However, Conon died shortly after taking on this important role.
Conon's Poetry
Conon de Béthune was a talented poet and musician. Only 10 of his poems are definitely known to be his. Many of his poems were written to be sung, and some even have their original music.
Most of his poems are about courtly love. This was a popular style of poetry about a knight's love for a noble lady. But he also wrote two "crusade songs." In these songs, he talks about how sad he is to leave his loved one. Yet, he still accepts the "noble calling" of being a crusader.
Conon also showed a funny or even critical side in his poems. In one crusade song, he strongly complained about people who misused money collected for the crusaders.
Here are some of the poems written by Conon:
- Chançon legiere a entendre
- Si voiremant con cele don je chant
- Mout me semont Amors que je m'envoise
- Ahi! Amors, com dure departie
- Bien me deüsse targier
- Se raige et derverie
- Belle doce Dame chiere
- Tant ai amé c'or me convient haïr
- L'autrier un jor aprés la Saint Denise
- L'autrier avint en cel autre païs
Family
The name of Conon's wife is not known. However, he had a son named Conon de Béthune, who was known as "The Strong." This son was alive in 1238.
