Joan, Countess of Toulouse facts for kids
Joan (born in 1220, died in 1271) was an important countess who ruled Toulouse from 1249 until her death. She was the only child of Raymond VII, Count of Toulouse, who was the Count of Toulouse, and his first wife, Sancha of Aragon.
Early Life and Marriage
Joan was born in 1220 near Siena, a city in Italy. When she was five years old, in 1225, she was promised in marriage to Hugh, the eldest son of Hugh X of Lusignan. However, this engagement did not last.
Later, in 1229, a peace agreement called the Treaty of Paris stated that Joan would marry Alphonse, Count of Poitiers. Alphonse was the brother of King Louis IX of France. Because Joan and Alphonse were distant cousins, they needed special permission from the Pope to marry. This permission was granted in June 1229.
After this, Joan was raised at the French royal court. This meant she grew up with French customs, not the local culture of Occitania (the region of Toulouse). She did not support the Cathars, a religious group that was being persecuted by the Inquisition (a church court). The exact year of her marriage is not certain, but 1234 is thought to be the most likely year. Joan and Alphonse did not have any children.
Countess of Toulouse
Joan traveled with her husband, Alphonse, on two big journeys called the Seventh Crusade in 1249 and the Eighth Crusade in 1270.
In 1249, Joan's father died. This meant Joan became the Countess of Toulouse, and her husband Alphonse ruled alongside her. A governor was put in charge of their lands until they returned to France. Joan and Alphonse officially took control of their lands in October 1250 and made their grand entrance as Count and Countess of Toulouse in May 1251. After this, they confirmed the governor's power and left again. They did not visit their lands very often.
Later Life and Legacy
Joan died on August 25, 1271, just four days after her husband, Alphonse.
Joan was the only surviving child and heir of her father, Raymond VII. She tried to give away some of her inherited lands in her will. However, her will was later declared invalid by the French court in 1274.
One part of Alphonse's will, which gave his wife's lands in the Comtat Venaissin to the Holy See (the Pope's authority), was allowed. This area became a Papal territory and remained under the Pope's control until 1791.
See also
In Spanish: Juana de Toulouse para niños
