Counts and dukes of Anjou facts for kids

Quick facts for kids County/Dukedom of Anjou
Coat of arms of the Dukes of Anjou.
Creation date	861 (County) 1360 (Dukedom)
Peerage	Peerage of France
First holder	Robert the Strong (County) Louis I (Dukedom)
Last holder	John the Good (County) Louis Stanislas Xavier of France (Dukedom)
Status	Extinct
Extinction date	1795

The Count of Anjou and later Duke of Anjou were important titles in French history. These titles were given to rulers of a region in France called Anjou. This area is now part of western France.

The title of Count of Anjou was first created in the 9th century. It was given by Charles the Bald, a king of the Franks, to a powerful leader named Robert the Strong. Over time, different families held this title. They helped shape the history of France.

Later, in 1360, the title was made even more important. It became the Duke of Anjou. This meant the ruler of Anjou was now a Duke, which was a higher rank. Many famous people, including kings of England and France, held these titles. Even today, some people who claim to be part of the French royal family still use the title "Duke of Anjou."

Who Were the Counts of Anjou?

The Counts of Anjou were powerful rulers. They controlled the region of Anjou for many centuries. Let's look at some of the main families who held this important title.

The Robertian Family

The first counts came from the Robertian family. They were very strong leaders in early France.

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Robert the Strong 861–866		Robert was the first Count of Anjou. He was a brave warrior. He fought against the Vikings to protect France.
Odo 866-898	Odo of France	Odo was Robert the Strong's son. He even became King of the Franks.

The Ingelger Family

After the Robertians, the Ingelger family became very important in Anjou. They were known for building up the region.

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Ingelger (Viscount of Angers)		Ingelger was a viscount, a ruler just below a count. He helped set up the family's power in Anjou.
Fulk I the Red 929–942		Fulk I was Ingelger's son. He was the first of his family to officially be called Count of Anjou.
Fulk II the Good 942–958		Fulk II was known for being a good ruler. He helped bring peace to the region.
Geoffrey I Greymantle 960–987		Geoffrey I was a strong military leader. He expanded the lands controlled by Anjou.
Fulk III the Black 987–1040	Fulk III the Black	Fulk III was a very powerful and sometimes harsh ruler. He built many castles and churches.
Geoffrey II Martel 1040–1060	Geoffrey II Martel	Geoffrey II was a skilled fighter. He was the last count from the direct male line of Ingelger.

The House of Anjou (Plantagenets)

This family became very famous because some of its members also became kings of England! They were also known as the Plantagenet family.

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Geoffrey III the Bearded 1060–1067	Geoffrey III the Bearded	Geoffrey III was the nephew of Geoffrey II. He took over the title after his uncle.
Fulk IV the Ill-Tempered 1067–1109	Fulk IV the Ill-Tempered	Fulk IV was known for his difficult personality. He had many conflicts during his rule.
Geoffrey IV Martel the Younger 1103–1106		Geoffrey IV ruled for a short time with his father, Fulk IV.
Fulk V the Young 1106–1129	Fulk V the Young	Fulk V later became the King of Jerusalem. He was a key figure in the Crusades.
Geoffrey V Plantagenet 1129–1151	Geoffrey V Plantagenet	Geoffrey V was the father of Henry II of England. He started the Plantagenet dynasty in England.
Henry Curtmantle 1151–1189	Henry II of England	Henry II was a powerful King of England. He also controlled large parts of France, including Anjou.
Richard Lionheart 1189–1199	Richard I of England	Richard the Lionheart was a famous warrior king. He spent most of his reign on crusades or fighting in France.
Arthur 1199–1203	Arthur I, Duke of Brittany	Arthur was a young duke who claimed the English throne. He disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

In 1204, the King of France, Philip II of France, took control of Anjou. It was no longer ruled by the English kings.

The Capetian Family

After Anjou returned to France, it was given to members of the French royal family, the Capetians.

The House of Anjou (Capetian Branch)

This branch of the Capetian family ruled Anjou for a while.

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
John I Tristan 1219–1232		John was a young son of King Louis VIII of France. He died at a young age.
Charles I 1246–1285	Charles I of Anjou	Charles I was a very ambitious ruler. He became King of Sicily and other lands.
Charles II 1285–1290	Charles II of Naples	Charles II was also a king of Naples. He was known as "the Lame."
Margaret 1290–1299	Margaret, Countess of Anjou	Margaret was the daughter of Charles II. She married Charles of Valois, who then became Count of Anjou.

The House of Valois

The Valois family became the ruling family of France. They also held the title of Count of Anjou.

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Charles III 1290–1325	Charles of Valois	Charles was a powerful prince. He was the father of a future King of France.
Philip 1293–1328	Philip VI of France	Philip became King Philip VI. When he became king, Anjou became part of the royal lands.

Later, King Philip VI gave the county to his son, John.

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
John 1332–1350	John II of France	John later became King John II. Anjou once again returned to the king's direct control.

Who Were the Dukes of Anjou?

In 1360, the title of Count of Anjou was raised to a Dukedom. This made it an even more important title. The Dukes of Anjou were often very influential in French politics and culture.

First Creation: The Valois-Anjou Family (1360–1481)

This family was a branch of the French royal family. They were very active in the politics of France and Italy.

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Louis I 1360–1384	Louis I of Anjou	Louis I was the first Duke of Anjou. He was a son of King John II of France.
Louis II 1384–1417	Louis II of Anjou	Louis II tried to claim the throne of Naples in Italy.
Louis III 1417–1434	Louis III of Anjou	Louis III also tried to become King of Naples. He was a patron of arts and culture.
René 1434–1480	René of Anjou	René was known as "Good King René." He was a famous artist, writer, and patron of the arts.
Charles IV 1480–1481	Charles IV, Duke of Anjou	Charles IV was the last Duke of Anjou from this family. After his death, Anjou returned to the French crown.

Later Creations of the Dukedom

The title of Duke of Anjou was created many more times for different members of the French royal family. These were often younger sons or close relatives of the king.

Second Creation: House of Savoy (1515–1531)

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Louise 1515–1531	Louise of Savoy	Louise was the mother of King Francis I of France. She was a very influential woman in her time.

Third Creation: House of Valois-Angoulême (1566–1576)

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Henry III 1566–1576	Henry III of France	Henry III later became King of France. He was the last Valois king.

Fourth Creation: House of Valois-Angoulême (1576–1584)

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Francis III 1576–1584	Francis, Duke of Anjou	Francis was a younger brother of King Henry III. He was once considered a possible husband for Elizabeth I of England.

Fifth Creation: House of Bourbon (1608–1626)

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Gaston I 1608–1626	Gaston, Duke of Orléans	Gaston was the younger brother of King Louis XIII of France. He was a key figure in French politics.

Sixth Creation: House of Orléans (1640–1660)

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Philip I 1640–1660	Philip I, Duke of Orléans	Philip was the younger brother of King Louis XIV of France, the "Sun King."

Seventh Creation: House of Bourbon (1668–1671)

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Philippe Charles 1668–1671	Philippe Charles, Duke of Anjou	Philippe Charles was a young son of King Louis XIV. He died when he was only two years old.

Eighth Creation: House of Bourbon (1672)

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Louis Francis 1672	Royal Coat of Arms of France	Louis Francis was another son of King Louis XIV. He also died as a baby.

Ninth Creation: House of Bourbon (1683–1700)

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Philip II 1683–1700	Philip V of Spain	Philip became King Philip V of Spain. This was a very important event in European history.

Tenth Creation: House of Bourbon (1710–1715)

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Louis the Beloved 1710–1715	Louis XV as a child	Louis later became King Louis XV of France. He ruled France for many years.

Eleventh Creation: House of Bourbon (1730–1733)

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Philip 1730–1733	Philippe de France	Philip was a young son of King Louis XV. He died at a very young age.

Twelfth Creation: House of Bourbon (1755–1795)

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Louis the Desired 1755–1795	Louis Stanislas Young	Louis later became King Louis XVIII of France after the French Revolution. He was the last official Duke of Anjou.

Dukes of Anjou Without Legal Creation

After 1795, the official title of Duke of Anjou was no longer legally created in France. However, some members of royal families still use the title as a "courtesy title." This means they use it out of tradition, even if it's not officially recognized by the government.

House of Bourbon (1883–Present)

Some members of the Spanish royal family, who are also descendants of French kings, use this title. They believe they are the rightful heirs to the French throne.

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Jaime 1909–1931	Jaime, Duke of Madrid	Jaime was a claimant to the Spanish throne. He also used the title Duke of Anjou.
Alfonso Carlos 1931–1936	Alfonso Carlos, Duke of San Jaime	Alfonso Carlos was another Spanish royal who used the title.

After 1936, the claim to the French throne (and the courtesy title of Duke of Anjou) passed to other members of the Bourbon family.

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Jaime 1941–1975	Jaime, Duke of Segovia	Jaime was a son of King Alfonso XIII of Spain. He adopted the title Duke of Anjou.
Alfonso 1975–1989	Alfonso, Duke of Anjou and Cádiz	Alfonso was Jaime's son. He also used the title Duke of Anjou.
Louis Alphonse 1989–present	Louis Alphonse, Duke of Anjou	Louis Alphonse is the current person using this courtesy title. He is a direct descendant of King Louis XIV of France.

House of Bourbon-Orléans (2004–Present)

Another branch of the French royal family, the House of Orléans, also uses the title. They have a different idea of who should be the rightful heir to the French throne.

Name	Portrait	Important Facts
Charles-Philippe 2004–present	Prince Charles Philippe, Duke of Anjou	Charles-Philippe was given this title by his uncle, Henri, Count of Paris.

Images for kids

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  Crown of a Duke of France

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  Arms of Hercule d'Anjou