La Trémoille family facts for kids
The House of La Trémoïlle (pronounced "Lah Tray-mwah") was a very old and important noble family from Poitou, a region in France. Their name comes from the village La Trimouille in the Vienne area. This family was known since the mid-1000s. From the 1300s onwards, its members became famous in French history. They were nobles, military leaders, and even went on crusades. They also held powerful positions as political leaders, diplomats, and courtiers. The last male member of the family died in 1933. However, some female descendants in Belgium have kept the La Trémoïlle name alive.
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Early Leaders and Crusaders
The first known leader of La Trémoïlle was Pierre. He lived in Poitou and died after 1040. Later, a descendant named Guy went on a Crusade to the Holy Land in 1096 with Godefroy de Bouillon. When he returned, he helped rebuild an abbey and died after 1145.
His son, Guillaume, also joined a Crusade with Louis VII of France. Guillaume's great-grandson, Thibaut, fought alongside Saint Louis. Sadly, Thibaut and three of his sons were killed in battle in Egypt in 1250.
In 1269, another Guy de La Trémoïlle became a leader. He was known as Guy I. He showed loyalty to Alphonse, Count of Poitiers, and died after 1301.
Famous Warriors and Diplomats
Guy V (1346-1398) was called "The Valiant." He was a famous warrior and a trusted friend of Philip the Hardy of Burgundy. He later advised Charles VI of France. Guy V carried the king's special battle flag, the Oriflamme, against the English in 1382. He also went on a Crusade to Africa and died in Rhodes on his way back to France.
His son, George (1382-1444), became a very important official called the Grand Chamberlain of France in 1406. He married Joan II, Countess of Auvergne, which brought him more land and power. George was a powerful figure, but his rivalry with Arthur III, Duke of Brittany might have slowed down Joan of Arc's efforts against the English. This allowed the English to capture and burn her in 1431. Because of his wealth, George was captured and had to be ransomed three times.
Important Family Members
Louis II (1460-1525), George's grandson, led French troops to conquer Lombardy for Louis XII. He was wounded in a battle in 1513 but later became a hero by defending Marseilles in 1523. He was killed at the Battle of Pavia in 1525. Louis II married Gabrielle de Bourbon, a princess, and later the daughter of Cesare Borgia. He inherited the title "Prince of Talmond."
His grandson, François de La Trémoïlle (1505-1541), took over Louis II's titles. François's father had died in battle. François was also captured at the Battle of Pavia but was later set free. In 1521, François married Anne de Laval. Through her, their descendants later claimed a royal throne.
Rise to Ducal Status
Louis III (1521-1577), François's oldest son, was the first in his family to become a duke in 1563. His son, Claude (1566-1604), had the dukedom made into a peerage in 1595, which meant it was a very high noble rank. Claude became a Protestant and fought for the Huguenots during the French Wars of Religion. He fought in several battles and sieges. In 1598, he married Charlotte Brabantine of Orange-Nassau, whose father was the famous Protestant leader William the Silent.
Claude's sister, Charlotte Catherine de La Trémoille (died 1619), married Henri I de Bourbon, prince de Condé. After her husband died, she was briefly imprisoned. However, her son was recognized as a royal prince and a potential heir to the French crown until Louis XIII was born.
Later Generations
Henri (1599-1674), the third Duke of Thouars, was at the Siege of La Rochelle in 1628. After the siege, he had to change from Protestantism to Catholicism. He continued to fight for France in various battles. His son, Henri-Charles de La Trémoïlle (1620-1672), spent much of his life outside France, serving as a cavalry general. He married a German princess, Emilie of Hesse-Cassel, in 1648. He returned to France and became Catholic two years before he died.
His great-grandson, Charles Armand René de La Trémoïlle (1683-1719), became the seventh Duke of Thouars. He held an important position in the king's household. In 1725, he married his cousin, Marie Hortense de La Tour d'Auvergne.
Claim to the Kingdom of Naples
In the 1600s, the La Trémoïlle family claimed the throne of the Kingdom of Naples. This claim came through Henry de La Trémoïlle's great-grandmother, Anne de Laval (1505–1554). She was married to François de la Trémoïlle. Anne was the only heir to King Frederick of Naples.
King Ferdinand I of Naples (1423-1494) became king of Naples in 1458. His son, Alfonso II, was later forced out by France. Alfonso II's only legitimate child, Charlotte of Aragon (1480-1506), married Nicolas de Montmorency. Her younger daughter, Anne, married Louis I de La Trémoïlle in 1521. Because of this connection, the La Trémoïlle family claimed the title "Prince of Taranto."
In 1643, Henry de La Trémoïlle officially stated his right to the Naples crown. His family continued to bring up this claim at various meetings, but without success. However, Louis XIII of France recognized the Duke of La Trémoïlle's use of "Prince of Taranto" as a special title. In 1629, the king also granted him and his family the rank of "princes étrangers" at the French royal court. This meant they had special status.
In 1648, Louis XIV allowed the family to send a representative to the Congress of Munster, where the Treaty of Westphalia was signed. The princes of Taranto tried to get their royal rights recognized at other meetings too, but they never succeeded. In 1748, the La Trémoïlle family made a final protest about their rights to Naples, but the kingdom had already been given to the King of Sicily in 1738.
End of the Male Line
Louis Jean Marie de La Trémoille (1910–1933) was the last male heir of the historic La Trémoïlle family. He was the 12th Duke of La Trémoïlle, 13th Duke of Thouars, and held other princely titles. He died at the age of 23, unmarried and without children, in England.
After his death, his eldest sister, Charlotte de La Trémoille (1892-1971), was considered the 14th Duchess of Thouars by some. However, French courts later ruled that noble titles could only be passed down from father to son in modern law. The original dukedom could be inherited by both males and females, but the peerage title (a higher noble rank) was restricted to male heirs.
Charlotte de La Trémoïlle married Prince Henri Florent de Ligne. Their only son, Jean Charles, Prince de Ligne de La Trémoille (1911-2005), was allowed to add "de La Trémoïlle" to his name in Belgium in 1934. His son, Prince Charles-Antoine (born 1946), carries on the name today.
Chief Line of the Family
Here are some of the main leaders in the La Trémoïlle family:
- Louis I de La Trémoille
- Louis II de La Trémoille (1460-1525): Known as the "knight beyond reproach." He won battles and fought in the Italian Wars. He was killed at the Battle of Pavia in 1525.
- Charles I de La Trémoille: Louis II's son. He died in battle at Battle of Marignano in 1515, before his father.
- François II de La Trémoille (1505-1541): Charles I's son. He gained a claim to the Kingdom of Naples through his marriage to Anne de Laval.
- Louis III de La Trémoille (1521-1577): François II's son. He became the Duke of Thouars in 1563.
- Charlotte Catherine de La Trémoille: Louis III's daughter. She became the Princess of Condé.
- Claude de La Trémoille (1566-1604): Louis III's son. He became a Protestant and was made a peer of France in 1595. He married a daughter of William the Silent.
- Charlotte de La Trémoïlle, Countess of Derby: Claude's daughter.
- Henri de La Trémoille: Claude's son, the 3rd Duke of Thouars (died 1674).
- Henri Charles de La Trémoille: Henri's son (died 1672).
- Charles Belgique Hollande de La Trémoille: Henri's son, the 4th Duke of Thouars (died 1709).
- Marie Armande Victoire de La Trémoille: Charles Belgique Hollande's daughter.
- Charles Louis Bretagne de La Trémoille: Charles Belgique Hollande's son, the 5th Duke of Thouars (died 1719).
- Charles Armand René de La Trémoille: Charles Louis Bretagne's son, the 6th Duke of Thouars (died 1741).
- Jean Bretagne Charles de La Trémoille: Charles Armand René's son, the 7th Duke of Thouars (died 1792).
- Charles Bretagne Marie de La Trémoille: Jean Bretagne Charles's son, the 8th Duke of Thouars (died 1839).
- Louis Charles de La Trémoille: Charles Bretagne Marie's son, the 9th Duke of Thouars (died 1911).
- Louis Charles Marie de La Trémoille: Louis Charles's son, the 10th Duke of Thouars (died 1921).
- Louis Jean Marie de La Trémoille: Louis Charles Marie's son, the 11th Duke of Thouars (died 1933). He had no children.
Family Branches
The La Trémoïlle family had several different branches, each with its own titles. Some of these included:
- Viscounts and Dukes of Thouars
- Dukes of La Trémoïlle
- Princes of Talmont
- Princes of Tarente
- Dukes of Châtellerault
- Dukes of Noirmoutier
- Marquises of Royan
- Counts of Joigny
Notable Family Members
- Guy de la Trémoille: A standard-bearer for France, captured at the Battle of Nicopolis (1396).
- Georges de la Trémoille (c. 1382 - 1446): Count de Guînes and a favorite of King Charles VII of France. He was captured at the Battle of Azincourt (1415).
- Jean de la Trémoille (1377-1449)
- Marie Anne de La Trémoille, princesse des Ursins (1642–1722)
See also
In Spanish: Casa de La Tremoille para niños
