Counts and dukes of Étampes facts for kids
Have you ever heard of Étampes? It's a historic town in France. For hundreds of years, important people ruled this area. They were known as the Counts and later the Dukes of Étampes. These rulers were like governors or lords of the land. They held power over the region, collected taxes, and maintained order.
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Counts and Dukes of Étampes
Étampes was a "fief," which means it was land granted by a king or lord in exchange for loyalty and service. Over time, the title of its ruler changed from "Count" to "Duke," which usually meant more power and prestige. Sometimes, Étampes became part of the "royal domain." This means it was directly controlled by the King of France.
Counts of Étampes (1327–1536)
The Counts of Étampes were the first rulers of this important French territory. They often belonged to powerful noble families.
- Charles d'Évreux (1327–1336)
- Louis I d'Évreux (1336–1400)
- John, Duke of Berry (1400–1416) - A very powerful prince, uncle to the King of France.
- Royal domain - The King of France ruled Étampes directly for a while.
- Richard de Dreux (1421–1438)
- Royal domain
- John II, Count of Nevers (1442–1465)
- Francis II, Duke of Brittany (1465–1478) - He was also the Duke of Brittany.
- John of Foix (1478–1500)
- Gaston de Foix (1500–1512) - A famous military leader.
- Anna, Duchess of Brittany (1512–1514) - She was also Queen of France.
- Claude of France (1514–1515) - Daughter of Anna of Brittany and also Queen of France.
- Artus Gouffier (1515–1519)
- Claude of France (1519–1524)
- Royal domain
- Jean de La Barre (1526–1534)
- Jean IV de Brosse (1534–1536)
Dukes of Étampes (1536–1792)
The title of ruler changed from Count to Duke in 1536. This often meant the territory was considered more important.
- Jean IV de Brosse (1536–1553) - He was the last Count and the first Duke.
- Diane de Poitiers (1553–1562) - A very influential woman at the French court.
- Jean IV de Brosse (1562–1564) - He became Duke again.
- Royal domain
- John Casimir, Count of the Rhenish Palatinate (1576–1577) - A German prince.
- Royal domain
The Bourbon-Vendôme Family
Later, the Duchy of Étampes was given to members of the powerful Bourbon-Vendôme family.
- Gabrielle d'Estrées (1598–1599) - She was a close companion of King Henry IV.
- César, duc de Vendôme (1599–1665) - Son of King Henry IV and Gabrielle d'Estrées.
- Louis, duc de Vendôme (1665–1669)
- Louis Joseph, duc de Vendôme (1669–1712) - A famous French general.
The Condé and Conti Families
After the Bourbon-Vendôme family, the Duchy passed to members of the Condé and Conti families, who were also important French nobles.
- Marie Anne de Bourbon (1712–1718) - She was known as princesse de Conti and was an illegitimate daughter of King Louis XIV.
- Louise Élisabeth de Bourbon (1718–1752) - Also a princesse de Conti and niece of Marie Anne.
- Louise Henriette de Bourbon (1752–1759) - She was known as duchesse d'Orléans and was the daughter of Louise Élisabeth.
The House of Orléans
The last Duke of Étampes before the French Revolution came from the House of Orléans.
- Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orléans (1759–1792) - He was the son of Louise Henriette. His title ended with the French Revolution.
