John VII, Count of Harcourt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John VII, Count of Harcourt
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| Born | 1369 |
| Died | 18 December 1452 Châtellerault |
| Buried | Franciscan convent at Châtellerault |
| Noble family | House of Harcourt |
| Spouse(s) | Marie of Alençon |
| Father | John VI of Harcourt |
| Mother | Catherine de Bourbon |
Jean VII d'Harcourt (born 1369 – died 18 December 1452) was an important French nobleman. He held many important titles, including Count of Harcourt and Count of Aumale. He was also Viscount of Châtellerault and Lord of several other places like Mézières and Elbeuf.
Jean VII lived during a time when France and England were often at war, known as the Hundred Years' War. He played a part in many events during this period.
Early Life and Family
Jean VII was born in 1369. His father was John VI of Harcourt, who was also a Count of Harcourt. His mother was Catherine de Bourbon. Catherine was the sister-in-law of King Charles V of France, which meant Jean VII was connected to the royal family.
In 1390, Jean VII married Marie of Alençon. She was a princess, meaning she was also part of a royal family. Together, they had three children:
- John VIII of Harcourt: He became the Count of Aumale. He was a military leader in Normandy and sadly died in battle.
- Marie of Harcourt: Born in 1398, she later married Antoine of Lorraine, who was the Count of Vaudémont. Their family line continued the Harcourt name in a new way.
- Jeanne of Harcourt: Born in 1399.
Military Adventures
Jean VII was a brave knight and soldier. He took part in several important military actions:
- He was at the siege of Taillebourg. A siege is when an army surrounds a castle or town to try and take it over. During this siege, his uncle, Louis II, Duke of Bourbon, made him a knight.
- He also fought in the siege of Tunis and the battle at Harfleur.
- Jean VII was especially brave at the famous Battle of Agincourt in 1415. During this battle, he was captured by the English forces.
Challenges and Later Life
The war with England brought many challenges. In 1418, the English army captured his family's main castle, the Château d'Harcourt, located in Harcourt.
Because of the war, his important titles of Count of Aumale and Count of Harcourt were taken away from him. The English gave these titles to their own noblemen, Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick and Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter.
Despite these difficulties, Jean VII had the support of his cousin, King Charles VI of France. The King made him a top military leader in Normandy. He even gave Jean VII a special gift of 1000 books, which was a huge treasure at that time!
Jean VII passed away on December 18, 1452, in Châtellerault. He was buried at the Franciscan convent in Châtellerault, a religious place that he had helped to start. With his death, the oldest branch of the Harcourt family came to an end.
