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List of counts and dukes of Montpensier facts for kids

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The French area known as Montpensier was once a lordship. A lordship was like a large estate or territory ruled by a lord. Montpensier is named after a village in Puy-de-Dôme, a region in France called Auvergne. Over time, Montpensier became a more important territory, changing from a lordship to a countship (ruled by a count) in the 14th century, and later to a duchy (ruled by a duke).

The ownership of Montpensier changed many times between different noble families. It started with the House of Thiern, then went to the House of Beaujeau, then Drieux, back to Beaujeau, and finally to the House of Ventadour. In 1384, Bernard and Robert de Ventadour sold Montpensier to John, Duke of Berry. His sons, Charles and John, were the first to be called Count of Montpensier.

After Charles and John died without children, their younger sister Marie inherited the countship. She married John I, Duke of Bourbon. From then on, Montpensier was held by their descendants, including Louis de Bourbon. The title eventually passed to Charles de Bourbon-Montpensier, a famous military leader known as the Constable. He became Duke of Bourbon when he married his cousin, Suzanne de Bourbon, in 1505.

Montpensier was sometimes connected to the Duchy of Auvergne and the Dauphinate of Auvergne in terms of who ruled it.

King Francis I took control of Montpensier for a while. But in 1538, it was given back to Louise de Bourbon, who was the sister of the Constable Charles III. She was the widow of the Prince de La Roche-sur-Yon. Her son, Louis, also received the title. In 1539, Montpensier was made into a duchy, which was a very high noble title in France.

Later, Marie, who was the daughter and heir of Henry, Duke of Montpensier, brought the duchy to her husband, Gaston, Duke of Orléans. Gaston was the brother of King Louis XIII. They married in 1626. Their daughter and heir, known as La Grande Mademoiselle, also became Duchess of Montpensier.

When Mademoiselle Anne died without children, the title eventually went to the Orléans family. This family was a branch of the French royal family. Many members of the Orléans family held the title, including Antoine Philippe (1775–1807) and Antoine Marie Philippe Louis (1824–1890). The title Mademoiselle de Montpensier was also given to some women in the royal family before the French Revolution.

Who Held the Title of Montpensier?

Montpensier was ruled by different noble families over many centuries. Here are some of the important people who held the title.

Early Lords (Seigneurs) of Montpensier

These were the first known rulers of Montpensier as a lordship.

  • Guy of Thiers, Seigneur of Montpensier
  • Agnès of Thiers, Dame of Montpensier - She was Guy's daughter and married Humbert IV of Beaujeu, Sire of Beaujeu.
  • Guichard I of Beaujeu, Seigneur of Montpensier - Son of Agnès and Humbert.
  • Guichard II of Beaujeu, Seigneur of Montpensier - Son of Guichard I.
  • Humbert II of Beaujeu, Seigneur of Montpensier - Son of Guichard II.
  • Jeanne of Beaujeu, Dame of Montpensier - Daughter of Humbert II. She married Jean II of Drieux, Count of Dreux.
  • Robert V of Dreux, Seigneur of Montpensier - Son of Jeanne and Jean.
  • Jean III of Dreux, Seigneur of Montpensier - Robert's brother.
  • Pierre of Dreux, Seigneur of Montpensier - Jean III's brother.
  • Jeanne I of Dreux, Dame of Montpensier - Pierre's daughter.
  • Louis I of Beaujeu, Seigneur of Montpensier - A descendant from an earlier branch of the Beaujeu family.
  • Marguerite of Beaujeu, Dame of Montpensier - Louis I's daughter. She married Ebles VIII of Ventadour, Viscount of Ventadour.
  • Bernard of Ventadour, Seigneur of Montpensier (1346–1384) - Son of Marguerite and Ebles.

Counts of Montpensier

Montpensier became a countship in 1384.

Dukes of Montpensier

Montpensier was made into a duchy in 1539.

Courtesy Titles of Montpensier

Sometimes, the title Duke of Montpensier was used as a "courtesy title." This means it was a title used out of respect or tradition, often by younger sons or other family members, even if they didn't officially rule the territory.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ducado de Montpensier para niños

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