Guy XIV de Laval facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Guy XIV de Laval
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | 28 January 1406 |
| Died | 2 September 1486 Châteaubriant |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of France, Duke of Brittany |
| Battles/wars | Hundred Years' War (Battle of La Brossinière Battle of Patay Brittany and Normandy campaign (1448–49) Battle of Formigny) |
| Relations | Son of Guy XIII de Laval and of Anne de Laval |
Guy XIV de Laval, also known as François de Montfort-Laval, was an important French nobleman who lived from 1406 to 1486. He was the Count of Laval and held many other titles. He is especially known for writing about Joan of Arc, whom he greatly admired. Guy XIV and his brother, André de Lohéac, served both the Duke of Brittany and the King of France at the same time. This was a common practice for powerful nobles during that period.
Contents
His Life and Times
Early Years
Guy XIV was born on January 28, 1406. His parents were Guy XIII de Laval and Anne de Laval. His mother was the granddaughter of Bertrand du Guesclin, a famous French military leader.
When Guy XIV was just 14 years old, in 1420, he was one of the first to sign a special request sent to the King of England. This request asked for the release of Arthur III, Duke of Brittany, who had been captured during the Battle of Agincourt. Arthur was set free later that year.
In 1424, Guy XIV joined Arthur at a grand welcome party for Queen Yolande of Aragon at his castle in Angers. Guy XIV worked to help Arthur become friends with the French king and move away from supporting the English.
Fighting Alongside Joan of Arc
On June 8, 1429, Guy XIV joined the French army at Selles-en-Berry. This army included Joan of Arc and the Duke of Alençon. Their goal was to free the Loire Valley region after the English siege of Orléans had been broken.
Guy XIV wrote a letter to his mother, describing Joan of Arc in a very lively way. He was a huge fan of hers! He and Joan fought bravely together in battles at Jargeau, Beaugency, and especially at Patay. At Patay, Guy XIV fought in the very front of the army.
The King's Coronation
After their victories, Guy XIV and his brother André de Lohéac followed King Charles VII of France to Reims. They were there to witness Charles VII's coronation as king on July 17, 1429. This was a very important event, showing that Charles VII was the true king of France.
During this time, the area of Laval was made into a "county," and Guy de Laval became its first count. He was also made governor of Lagny in 1430.
Family and Marriages
On October 1, 1430, Guy XIV married Isabelle of Brittany at Redon. Isabelle was the daughter of John VI, Duke of Brittany.
Later, in February 1451, Guy XIV married Françoise of Dinan at Vitré. Françoise was a powerful noblewoman in her own right. Together, Guy XIV and Françoise of Dinan helped start a choir school (called a "psallette") at the Madeleine church in Vitré in 1453.
Working with King Louis XI
In 1463, King Louis XI set up a special court for finances, called a "cour des comptes," in Laval. The next year, the king allowed Guy XIV to add special symbols to his family's coat of arms. These symbols showed his connection to the royal family and other important regions.
The Forest of Brocéliande
In the early 1400s, the château de Comper became part of the Laval family's lands. This castle is located near the famous Brocéliande forest, which is known for its legends of King Arthur.
Guy XIV wanted to show how important his family was in Brittany. He claimed that his family was descended from ancient kings of the region, like Conan and Ponthus. In 1467, he even tried to add parts of a fictional story, "Le roman de Ponthus et la Belle Sidoine," into a real document about the forest's rules. He wanted to make it seem like the jousts of Ponthus were historical facts!
In 1472, Guy XIV became the lieutenant-general of the Duchy of Brittany, which meant he was a very high-ranking official.
Count of Laval
In 1482, King Louis XI gave the County of Laval full independence from the larger region of Maine. This meant that the County of Laval reported directly to the King of France, making Guy XIV even more powerful.
Guy XIV de Laval passed away on September 2, 1486, and was buried at the church of Saint-Thugal in Laval. His daughter, Jeanne de Laval, married King René I of Anjou. His oldest son, Francis, became the next Count of Laval, known as Guy XV de Laval. Another son, Pierre de Laval, became an important archbishop.
See also
- Château de Comper
Sources
- Jürgen Klötgen, "Une charte retrouvée de Guy XV de Laval (1491) - Notice historique sur les armoiries de Laval", in Revue Historique et Archéologique du Maine, t.CXLVIII, Le Mans, 1997 p. 209-232. See also : Full text from DVD-RHAM Revue Historique et Archéologique du Maine/1875-2000, Copyright by Société Historique et Archéologique du Maine, Le Mans, 2006.
- "Guy XIV de Laval", in Alphonse-Victor Angot, Ferdinand Gaugain, Dictionnaire historique, topographique et biographique de la Mayenne, Goupil, 1900–1910 ([détail édition]), t. IV, p. 528.
| Preceded by Anne de Montmorency-Laval |
Dame/Seigneur de Laval 1429–86 |
Succeeded by Guy XV de Laval |
