County of La Marche facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
La Marche
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| Country | France | ||
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The County of La Marche was a historic area in France during the Middle Ages. It was like a small independent state ruled by a count. Today, this area roughly matches the French départements (regions) of Creuse and the northern part of Haute Vienne.
La Marche first appeared as its own territory around the mid-900s. William III, Duke of Aquitaine, a powerful ruler, gave this land to one of his trusted knights, Boson. Boson then became the first Count of La Marche.
Contents
History of La Marche
Early Rulers and Changes
In the 1100s, the ruling family of La Marche changed to the House of Lusignan. This family was very important in medieval France. They sometimes also ruled other nearby areas like Angoulême and Limousin.
Becoming Part of the French Crown
In 1308, Count Guy of La Marche passed away without any children. This meant his lands in La Marche were taken over by Philip IV of France, the king.
A few years later, in 1314, King Philip IV gave La Marche to his youngest son, who later became King Charles IV. This kind of gift to a royal family member was called an appanage. It meant the land was controlled by the prince but still belonged to the crown.
In 1327, La Marche was passed to the House of Bourbon. This was another very powerful French family. Later, from 1435 to 1477, the House of Armagnac controlled La Marche. But then it went back to the Bourbons.
Finally, in 1527, King Francis I took full control of La Marche. It officially became part of the French royal lands. The area was then split into two parts: Haute Marche (Upper Marche) and Basse Marche (Lower Marche). For a long time, from 1470 until the French Revolution, the area was under the authority of the parlement of Paris. A parlement was a high court that also had some administrative duties.
Who Ruled La Marche?
Over the centuries, several important families held the title of Count of La Marche.
- The La Marche Dynasty: The first counts, starting with Boso I, ruled from the mid-900s. They helped establish La Marche as a distinct county.
- The Lusignan Dynasty: This powerful family took over in the late 1000s. They were very active in the Crusades and had a big impact on the region.
- The Capetian Dynasty: For a short time, La Marche was directly controlled by the French royal family, the Capetians, including Charles the Fair.
- The Capetian-Bourbon Dynasty: After the Capetians, the Bourbon branch of the royal family became counts. They held La Marche for many years, through several generations.
- The Armagnac Dynasty: In the 1400s, the Armagnac family briefly held the county. However, it later returned to the Bourbons.
After 1527, La Marche became part of the French crown's direct control. The title of Count of La Marche is now mostly honorary, used by some members of the Orléanist royal family, who are claimants to the French throne.
See also
- Marches
- Provinces of France
