Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jacqueline |
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| Countess of Hainaut, Holland and Zeeland | |
| Reign | 30 May 1417 – 12 April 1433 |
| Predecessor | William IV and VI |
| Successor | Philip the Good |
| Born | 15 July 1401 Le Quesnoy |
| Died | 8 October 1436 (aged 35) Teylingen Castle |
| Burial | Binnenhof, The Hague |
| Spouse |
John, Dauphin of France
(m. 1415; died 1417)Frank van Borssele
(m. 1434) |
| House | Wittelsbach |
| Father | William II, Duke of Bavaria |
| Mother | Margaret of Burgundy |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Jacqueline (born 15 July 1401 – died 8 October 1436) was an important noblewoman from the House of Wittelsbach. She ruled the areas of Holland, Zeeland, and Hainaut in the Low Countries from 1417 to 1433. These areas are now part of modern-day Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
For a short time, she was also known as the Dauphine of France, which meant she was the wife of the heir to the French throne. Later, she was called the Duchess of Gloucester. Jacqueline was born in Le Quesnoy and was known as the heir to her father's lands from birth.
She was the last ruler from the Wittelsbach family in Hainaut and Holland. After she died, her lands went to Philip the Good, who was the Duke of Burgundy.
Contents
Life of Jacqueline
Early Life and First Marriage
Jacqueline was the only daughter of William II, Duke of Bavaria. He was also known as William VI, Count of Holland. Her mother was Margaret, whose father was Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.
When Jacqueline was very young, she was promised in marriage to John, Duke of Touraine. He was the fourth son of King Charles VI of France. Both children grew up together in the Castle of Le Quesnoy. John was expected to rule Hainaut, not France.
In 1415, when Jacqueline was fourteen, she and John were married in The Hague. Her father, Duke William II, wanted this marriage to make sure his daughter would inherit his lands. Jacqueline was his only legal child. However, because she was a girl, her right to rule was challenged by her uncle, Bishop John of Liège, and her cousin, Philip the Good.
Just four months after their wedding, John's older brother died. This made John the new heir to the French throne, and Jacqueline became the Dauphine, meaning she would be the future Queen of France. Her father gained a lot of influence in France because of this.
Sadly, Dauphin John died suddenly in April 1417 when Jacqueline was only 16. Two months later, her father also died unexpectedly from an infection after a dog bite. Jacqueline, who was young and new to politics, now had to fight to keep her inheritance.
Second Marriage and a Difficult War
In Hainaut, where women could traditionally inherit land, Jacqueline was quickly recognized as countess. But in Holland and Zeeland, her right to rule was questioned. Some people supported her, while others supported her uncle, John III. He was her father's youngest brother and wanted to be the ruler.
Jacqueline's uncle, John III, was supported by the German King Sigismund. King Sigismund even gave John III the right to rule Jacqueline's lands. John III then married Elisabeth of Görlitz, a powerful duchess.
Jacqueline also remarried, but her choice was not a good one. She married John IV, Duke of Brabant. This decision was influenced by her mother and her uncle, John the Fearless. Their wedding was in The Hague in March 1418.
However, this marriage faced many problems. The Pope initially allowed their marriage, but then changed his mind because of Jacqueline's opponents. Also, Duke John IV had many money problems and was not a strong leader. This caused many arguments in their marriage.
John III, with King Sigismund's support, started a war against Jacqueline. This civil war was known as the Hook and Cod wars. Jacqueline won an early battle but lost control of the important city of Dordrecht. Her uncle kept questioning her marriage, saying it was not valid without the Pope's full approval.
John IV, always needing money, made a deal with John III. He gave John III control over Holland and Zeeland for 12 years. In return, John III paid them money and left them Hainaut. This was a big loss for Jacqueline, and her subjects in Holland and Zeeland were no longer loyal to her. John IV even promised Hainaut to others for money. This was too much for Jacqueline, and she wanted to separate from John IV.
Third Marriage and More Challenges
The political situation changed a lot. The Duke of Burgundy, John the Fearless, was killed. The French heir, Charles, was disinherited. King Henry V of England then claimed to be the King of France. In 1421, Jacqueline said she wanted her marriage to John IV of Brabant to be ended because of his bad behavior.
Jacqueline fled to England in March 1421, seeking help from King Henry V. She was welcomed at the English court. After King Henry V died in 1422, Jacqueline got a divorce from John IV of Brabant that was only valid in England. This allowed her to marry Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester. Humphrey was King Henry V's brother and a powerful advisor to the young King Henry VI. They married secretly in England in 1423.
News of this marriage surprised everyone. Jacqueline was rumored to be pregnant, which would strengthen her position. She tried to get her marriage to John IV officially ended by the Pope. Her uncle John III worked against her. However, her cousin Philip the Good, who did not want an English invasion, supported the annulment.
In late 1424, Jacqueline joined Humphrey in his lands. She had a miscarriage, which was her only known pregnancy. They then traveled to Mons, where Humphrey was recognized as the ruler of Hainaut.
War in Holland and Loss of Lands
Jacqueline's situation changed again when her uncle John III died in January 1425. He was believed to have been poisoned. John IV, Duke of Brabant, still claimed rights over Holland, Zeeland, and Hainaut. He made Philip, Duke of Burgundy, the temporary ruler of Holland and Zeeland.
Jacqueline escaped from where she was being held by dressing as a man. She fled to Gouda, where her supporters were. Now, her former husband, John of Brabant, was trying to take her inheritance. Humphrey tried to help, but his efforts caused problems between England and Burgundy. The Pope decided that Jacqueline was still married to John IV of Brabant, making her marriage to Humphrey invalid. However, John IV had died a year earlier.
Peace and Final Years
In July 1428, Jacqueline had to agree to a peace treaty called the Reconciliation of Delft with Philip, Duke of Burgundy. Under this treaty, Jacqueline kept her titles as Countess of Holland, Zeeland, and Hainaut. However, Philip would manage her lands and would inherit them if she died without children. She was also not allowed to marry again without permission from her mother, Philip, and the three counties. Her marriage to Humphrey was officially ended that same year.
Jacqueline's financial situation was very bad. She barely had enough money to live. Philip of Burgundy continued to gain control, buying the loyalty of her friends or turning them against her. In 1433, Jacqueline "willingly" signed another treaty with Philip. This treaty gave Philip all her lands and titles. In return, she received income from some estates, mostly in Zeeland.
Fourth Marriage and Death
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After giving up her titles, Jacqueline moved to her lands in Zeeland. There, she became close to Francis, Lord of Borssele, a powerful local nobleman. In the spring of 1434, they married. Philip gave Francis the title of Count of Oostervant. This marriage, unlike her others, was said to be for love.
Their marriage did not last long. In 1436, Jacqueline became ill and died of tuberculosis at Teylingen Castle on 8 October 1436. Since she had no children, Philip of Burgundy inherited Hainaut and Holland. Her husband, Frank, lived for another thirty-four years after her death.
Legends About Jacqueline
Many stories and legends surround Jacqueline's life. One popular legend says she secretly married Francis of Borssele in 1432, two years before their public wedding. This secret marriage was supposedly the real reason she had to give up her titles to the Duke of Burgundy, as it would have broken the peace treaty of 1428. However, there is no real proof that such a secret marriage happened. Old records only mention rumors of an upcoming wedding between Jacqueline and Francis in late 1433, which was after she had already given up her titles.
See also
In Spanish: Jacqueline de Baviera para niños
