Count of Anjou facts for kids

Map of the county of Anjou.

A Count of Anjou was a powerful ruler in a region of France called Anjou. This important title was first given to a person named Ingelger. The family line of Ingelger eventually ended with Geoffrey II of Anjou. After him, the title passed to new counts who were related through Geoffrey's sister, Ermengarde-Blanche of Anjou, and her husband, Geoffrey II, Count of Gâtinais. Their family later became famous as the Plantagenet kings of England.

Early Counts of Anjou

The first counts of Anjou came from a family known as the House of Ingelger. They were important figures in the history of France.

House of Ingelger

• Ingelger (died around 888) was the first count.
• Fulk I 'the Red' (929–942)
• Fulk II 'the Good' (942–960)
• Geoffrey I 'Greymantle' (958–987)
• Fulk III 'Nerra' (987–1040)
• Geoffrey II 'Martel' (1040–1060)

After Geoffrey II, the title of Count of Anjou went to his nephew, Geoffrey III. This happened because Geoffrey II did not have any children, so the title passed through his sister, Ermengarde-Blanche of Anjou.

Angevins and Plantagenets

This new line of counts became very powerful. They were known as the Angevins, and some of them later became kings of England.

• Geoffrey III 'the Bearded' (1060–1067)
• Fulk IV 'le Rechin' (1067–1096, and again 1106–1109)
• Geoffrey IV 'Martel' (1096–1106)
• Fulk V 'le Jeune' (1109–1143) was not only Count of Anjou and Maine, but he also became the King of Jerusalem from 1131 to 1143.
• Geoffrey V 'Plantagenet' (1129–1151) was Count of Anjou and Maine. He also became the Duke of Normandy from 1144 to 1150. His nickname 'Plantagenet' later became the name of a famous royal family.
• Henry II 'Curtmantle' (1150–1189) was Geoffrey V's son. He became the Duke of Normandy and then the King of England from 1154 to 1189.
• Richard I 'Lionheart' (1189–1199) was Henry II's son and also a King of England.
• Arthur I (1199–1203)

In 1204, the region of Anjou was taken by King Philip II of France. Later, it was given as a special gift, called an appanage, to Louis VIII's son, John. John died young in 1232. Anjou was then given to Louis's youngest son, Charles, who later became the King of Sicily.

Capetian Counts of Anjou

The title of Count of Anjou then passed to members of the Capetian dynasty, which was the ruling family of France.

Capetian House of Anjou

• Charles I (1246–1285) was a very important ruler. He was King of Sicily and Jerusalem, and also Count of Maine, Provence, and Forcalquier.
• Charles II (1285–1290)
• Margaret I (1285–1299)

In 1290, Margaret married Charles of Valois. He was the younger brother of King Philip IV of France. Because of his marriage to Margaret, Charles of Valois became the Count of Anjou.

House of Valois

• Charles III (1270–1325) was also the Count of Valois.
• Philip I (1293–1350), known as Philip the Fortunate, was also the Count of Maine and Valois. He later became King of France.
• John II (1319–1364), known as John the Good, was also a King of France.
• Louis I (1339–1383)

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Condes y duques de Anjou para niños