Jean I de Croÿ facts for kids

Jean I de Croÿ, who lived from about 1365 to 1415, was a very important person in his family's history. He was known as the founder of the House of Croÿ, which became a powerful family in Europe. He was also called the Lord of Croÿ and Araines, and the Baron of Renty and Seneghem.

Jean's Early Life and Family

Jean's parents were Guillaume I, who was also a Lord of Croÿ, and Isabeau of Renty. Jean helped his family become very powerful in medieval Burgundy. Burgundy was an important area in Europe during that time.

Jean worked for two powerful leaders: Philip the Bold and his son, John the Fearless. He was their trusted advisor and a high-ranking official called a chamberlain. This meant he helped manage their royal households and advised them on important matters.

Building Family Power

In 1384, Jean married Marguerite de Craon. She was a wealthy heiress, meaning she had inherited a lot of money and land. This marriage helped the Croÿ family gain more wealth and influence.

A big step for the family was in 1397 when Jean bought the lordship of Chimay. A lordship is an area of land controlled by a lord. Chimay became a very important part of the Croÿ family's lands and power.

Four years later, Jean was made the Governor of Artois, another important region. He also led the duke's armies against people who were rebelling in Liège. In 1412, he was a high-ranking officer for King Charles VI of France, called the Grand-Bouteiller. In this role, he led a military attack on the city of Bourges.

A Difficult End

In 1413, Isabeau of Bavaria, who was the Queen of France, had Jean arrested. He was put in prison in the castle of Montlhéry, but he managed to escape.

Sadly, Jean I de Croÿ and one of his sons were killed in a famous battle called the Battle of Agincourt. This happened on October 25, 1415.

Jean's Children

Jean I de Croÿ had many children, seventeen in total! Some of his notable children include:

• Antoine I de Croÿ, Count of Porcéan (1385–1475)
• Archambaud de Croÿ (1386–1412)
• Jean de Croÿ (1387 – 1415 at Battle of Agincourt), who died with his father at Agincourt.
• Jean II de Croÿ (1395–1473), who became the Prince of Chimay. He was the ancestor of another important branch of the family, the House of Croÿ-Solre.
• Agnès de Croÿ (born around 1386), who had a son with John the Fearless, the Duke of Burgundy. This son, John of Burgundy, later became a Bishop of Cambrai.
• Jeanne de Croÿ (born around 1390), who married Jean de Lannoy. He was also killed at the Battle of Agincourt. Their son, Jan van Lannoy, became a governor in Holland.

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