Joan, Duchess of Brittany facts for kids

Joan of Penthièvre, also known as Joan the Lame, was a powerful noblewoman in France. She was born around 1319 and died on September 10, 1384. Joan ruled as the Duchess of Brittany alongside her husband, Charles of Blois, from 1341 to 1364.

Her right to be Duchess was challenged by another family, the House of Montfort. This led to a long and difficult civil war called the War of the Breton Succession. Even after the Montfort family won the war, Joan was still called the "titular" Duchess of Brittany until she died. This means she held the title but not the actual power. She was also the Countess of Penthièvre in her own right throughout her life.

Quick facts for kids Joan of Penthièvre
Tomb of Jeanne de Penthièvre, Duchess of Brittany
Duchess of Brittany
Reign	30 April 1341 –1365 (disputed suo jure) 1365–10 September 1384 (titular)
Predecessor	John III
Successor	John IV
Born	1319
Died	10 September 1384 (aged 65) Guingamp
Burial	church of the Friars Minor of Guingamp.
Spouse	Charles I, Duke of Brittany
Issue	John I, Count of Penthièvre Guy Henry Marie, Lady of Guise Marguerite, Countess of Angoulême
House	Dreux
Father	Guy de Penthièvre
Mother	Jeanne d'Avaugour
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Early Life and Family Claims

Joan was the only child of Guy de Penthièvre and Jeanne d'Avaugour. Her father, Guy, was the brother of John III, Duke of Brittany. Because she was Guy's only child, Joan became the Countess of Penthièvre in her own right. This also gave her a strong claim to be the Duchess of Brittany.

The War for Brittany's Throne

Joan was a main figure in the War of the Breton Succession. This war was about who should rule Brittany after Duke John III died. The main question was whether a child, boy or girl, could inherit their parent's rights. If so, Joan would inherit her father's rights as the second brother of the late duke.

However, another person, Joan's half-uncle John of Montfort, also claimed the throne. He believed that the next oldest male relative should inherit. Duke John III, Joan's uncle, did not like his stepmother (John of Montfort's mother). He even tried to say his father's second marriage was not valid, which would have made John of Montfort illegitimate.

Marriage and the Start of the War

In 1335, there were talks for Joan to marry John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall, who was the brother of King Edward III of England. But this marriage never happened. In 1337, Joan became engaged to Charles of Blois in Paris. They began living together around 1338 or 1339.

When Duke John III died in 1341, Joan and Charles took control of the Duchy of Brittany. King Philip VI of France supported them. Most of the local nobles and officials also supported them. But John of Montfort did not give up his claim, and so the war began.

Key Figures in the Conflict

When Joan's half-uncle John of Montfort died in 1345 during the war, his wife Joanna of Flanders stepped up. She fought to protect the rights of their son, John IV the Conqueror. Joanna organized resistance and used diplomacy to help her family.

In 1347, Joan's husband, Charles of Blois, was captured by the English. He was held prisoner for nine years. He was finally released after a large ransom was paid. Charles then continued the war against the Montfort family. He died in the Battle of Auray, which ended the war. The Montfort family won, and Joan became a widow.

Life After the War

The conflict was officially settled in 1365 with the First Treaty of Guérande. By this agreement, Joan received a large payment for giving up her claims. She was also allowed to keep the title of Duchess for the rest of her life. All her family lands in Penthièvre and Avaugour remained hers. She did not have to pay homage (show loyalty) to the new Duke for these lands.

An important part of the treaty was that if John IV had no sons, Joan's male heirs would get the duchy back. Also, women were now officially not allowed to inherit the duchy.

Later Challenges and Treaties

In 1379, Duke John IV was forced to leave Brittany and go to England. King Charles V of France then tried to take Brittany for France. Joan was very upset by this, as it went against her rights and her sons' rights from the Treaty of Guérande. Both her supporters and the Montfort family supporters united. They invited John IV back from England to take back control of Brittany.

After King Charles V died, Joan agreed to the Second Treaty of Guérande on May 2, 1381. This treaty mostly repeated the terms of the first one. From a legal point of view, the issue of who would rule Brittany seemed settled. However, Joan's descendants still caused problems with John IV and later dukes from the House of Montfort.

Death and Legacy

Joan died on September 10, 1384. She was buried at the church of the Friars Minor in Guingamp.

Joan lost the main ducal title and power of Brittany for her family. Even though her descendants tried to get it back, they never did. However, her descendants were sometimes given important jobs in Brittany by future kings of France. Her title and rights as Countess of Penthièvre were passed down. But this title was sometimes lost to the Duke of Brittany when her descendants continued their conflicts with the House of Montfort.

Children

Joan and Charles had the following children:

• Marguerite, who married Charles de la Cerda in 1351.
• Marie (born around 1340, died 1404), Lady of Guise, who married Louis I, Duke of Anjou in 1360.
• John I, Count of Penthièvre (born 1345, died 1404), also known as John of Blois.
• Guy (died 1385).
• Henry (died 1400).
• Charles (died before 1364).

See also

In Spanish: Juana de Penthièvre para niños