County of Forcalquier facts for kids
The County of Forcalquier was an important area in the Middle Ages. It was located in a region called Provence, which was part of the Kingdom of Arles. This kingdom was then part of the Holy Roman Empire. The county got its name from a strong castle, Forcalquier, where it first started.
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The Story of Forcalquier
The first time a castle at Forcalquier was mentioned was in 1044. Back then, it belonged to a ruler named Fulk Bertrand, who was a joint count of Provence. When Fulk died in 1051, his lands were split between his sons, William Bertrand and Geoffrey II. Geoffrey II received Forcalquier.
How Forcalquier Became a County
Around the 1060s, William Bertrand's daughter, Adelaide, inherited Forcalquier. She was the first person to be called "Countess of Forcalquier." Adelaide married Ermengol IV of Urgell. She passed away in 1129.
At this time, many powerful families were arguing over who should rule Provence.
- The counts of Toulouse claimed the title of marchio (a special kind of ruler).
- The counts of Barcelona also claimed Provence.
In 1125, Provence was officially divided into two parts: a march and a county. But in 1131, a new family, the House of Baux, started a series of wars called the Baussenque Wars. These wars were fought over who had the right to rule the County of Provence.
Forcalquier's Own Rulers
Meanwhile, the area north of the Durance river, which included Forcalquier and Embrun, went to Adelaide's son, William III. He was part of a branch of the counts of Urgell family. William III and his family continued to rule Forcalquier until the end of the 1100s.
Joining Provence
In 1193, an important agreement called the Treaty of Aix was made. This treaty arranged for the granddaughter of the last count of Forcalquier, Garsenda of Sabran, to marry Alfonso. Alfonso was the son of Alfonso II of Aragon and the future ruler of Provence.
Their marriage happened in July 1193. Alfonso inherited Provence in 1196, and Garsenda inherited Forcalquier in 1209. This brought the two counties together permanently under one ruler.
List of Counts
Here are the main rulers of Forcalquier:
- 1063/1067–1129 Adelaide of Forcalquier
- ?-1129 William III
- 1129–1149 Guigues, who ruled with...
- 1129–1144 Bertrand I
- 1144–1207 Bertrand II, who ruled with...
- 1144–1209 William IV
- 1209–1217/1220 Garsenda
- After Garsenda, Forcalquier became part of Provence, ruled by Raymond Berengar IV.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Forcalquier para niños
