Guy de Montfort, Lord of Sidon facts for kids

Guy de Montfort (died January 31, 1228) was an important knight and leader from a powerful French family. He was the younger son of Simon de Montfort and Amicia. His aunt was the sister of Robert FitzPernel, who was the Earl of Leicester. Guy de Montfort was known for taking part in several major wars called Crusades.

Guy de Montfort: A Crusader's Story

Guy de Montfort lived during a time when many European knights traveled far from home to fight in religious wars called Crusades. These wars were often about controlling important lands in the Middle East, especially the Holy Land, which was sacred to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Guy was involved in two of the most famous Crusades.

Adventures in the Holy Land

In 1189, Guy de Montfort joined the Third Crusade. This was a huge military journey to the Holy Land. He likely stayed there until 1192, when King Richard the Lionheart of England returned home.

A few years later, around 1200 or 1201, Guy began working closely with his older brother, Simon. By 1202, Guy was in charge of several areas in France, including Ferté-Alais, Castres-en-Albigeois, and Brétencourt.

A Disagreement and a New Marriage

In 1202, Guy and his brother Simon set off on the Fourth Crusade. However, they soon faced a difficult choice. The leaders of the Crusade decided to attack Zara, a Christian city. Guy and Simon strongly disagreed with attacking fellow Christians. They also refused to help put the Byzantine Emperor Isaac II Angelus back on his throne in exchange for money and soldiers.

Because they disagreed, Guy and Simon left the main Crusader army. They joined King Emeric of Hungary instead. Eventually, the two brothers continued their journey to Palestine. Once they arrived in Jaffa, they helped King Amalric II of Jerusalem on a trip into Galilee. King Amalric was so pleased with Guy's service that he arranged for Guy to marry Helvis of Ibelin. She was known as la dame de Saete (the lady of Sagette) and was the widow of Reginald, the Lord of Sidon.

After his marriage, Guy acted as a temporary ruler, or regent, for Sidon. He did this for his young stepson, Balian, until Balian was old enough to rule himself, probably around 1210. That same year, Guy also helped at the crowning ceremony of John of Brienne as the new King of Jerusalem.

Fighting in France: The Albigensian Crusade

Later, Guy de Montfort returned to France. There, he joined another important war called the Albigensian Crusade. This Crusade was led by his brother, Simon de Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester. It was a war against a religious group in southern France.

In 1212, Guy and Simon tried to capture Montségur, but they were not successful. In 1213, they fought in the important Battle of Muret. They also surrounded and attacked Beaucaire in 1216.

The Death of a Brother

On June 25, 1218, Guy was injured by a crossbow bolt during the Siege of Toulouse. His brother Simon was helping him when a large stone, thrown by a war machine called a mangonel, hit Simon in the head. Simon was killed instantly. Simon's death, and the fact that his son Amaury de Montfort was not a very strong leader, gave new hope to the local lords who were fighting against the Crusade.

Guy's Final Battle

In 1224, Amaury gave up all his lands to Louis VIII of France. King Louis VIII soon arrived to claim these territories. Guy de Montfort helped King Louis at the Siege of Avignon. After this siege, King Louis died on his way home.

Guy continued to fight in the Crusade. Sadly, Guy himself was killed in battle in 1228. This happened at Varilhes, which was near Pamiers. He was taken to the abbey of Haute-Bruyère to be buried. The records there, called a necrology, mention him as conte Gui de Sagette (Count Guy of Sidon).

Family and Legacy

Guy de Montfort was married twice and had children.

With his first wife, Helvis of Ibelin, he had:

• Philip Ι, who stayed in the Holy Land and became the Lord of Tyre.
• Pernelle, who became a nun at a religious house called the abbey of Saint-Antoine des Champs in Paris.

Guy later married Briende de Beynes. She was the widow of Lambert de Thury, who was the lord of Lombers.

With Briende, he had:

• Alicia, who became a nun at Port-Royal.
• Agnes, who also became a nun at Port-Royal.
• Guy II of Montfort, who died during a Crusade in 1254.