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List of counts and dukes of Chartres facts for kids

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The Duchy of Chartres was once a special area in France called a county (comté). The person in charge was known as the Count of Chartres. Over time, this title changed to Duke of Chartres.

King Louis XIV of France gave this important title to his nephew, Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, when Philippe was born in 1674. Philippe was the younger son of the King's brother, Philippe de France.

Early Counts of Chartres

Viking Count

Hastein was a famous Viking leader. He defeated King Carloman II of France in 879. To make peace, Hastein agreed to settle down and was given the County of Chartres. He later sold the county in 886 to pay for a trip, and then he disappeared.

Counts from the House of Blois

The northern part of the County of Blois, which was close to Normandy, sometimes became known as the County of Chartres. However, the Counts of Blois who owned it didn't always use a separate title for Chartres.

In 1391, the last son of Guy II, Count of Blois died. This led Guy to sell the County of Blois to Louis of Valois, Duke of Orléans. This meant the title of Count of Chartres became part of the royal dukedom.

Here are some of the important Counts from the House of Blois:

  • 960-975: Theobald I of Blois (died 975)

He was also known as Theobald the Cheat or Theobald the Old. He took control of Chartres in 960. He earned his nickname "the Cheat" because he often fought with his neighbors, including the kings of France and the dukes of Normandy.

  • 975-995: Odo I, Count of Blois (died 995)

Odo was the son of Theobald I. He was Count of Chartres and also of Reims.

  • 995-1004: Theobald II of Blois (died 1004)

Theobald II was the son of Odo I. He was Count of Blois, Chartres, and Reims.

Odo II was the brother of Theobald II. He held many titles, including Count of Blois, Chartres, Reims, Meaux, and Troyes.

    • He was married first to Mathilde de Normandie, and later to Ermengearde of Auvergne.
  • 1037-1089: Theobald III, Count of Blois (1019 – died 1089)

Theobald III was the son of Odo II and Ermengearde d'Auvergne. He was Count of Blois, Chartres, Meaux, and Troyes.

Stephen II was the son of Theobald III and Gersende of Maine. He was Count of Blois, Chartres, and Meaux.

Theobald II was the son of Stephen II. He was Count of Blois, Chartres, and Meaux, and later became Count of Champagne in 1125.

    • He was married in 1123 to Matilda of Carinthia.

Theobald V was the son of Theobald II. He was Count of Blois and Chartres.

  • 1191-1205: Louis I, Count of Blois (died 1205)

Louis I was the son of Theobald V and Alix de France. He was Count of Blois and Chartres.

  • 1205-1218: Theobald VI, Count of Blois (died 1218)

Theobald VI was the son of Louis I.

    • He was married first to Mahaut of Alençon, and then to Clemence des Roches.

Isabelle was Countess of Chartres and also in charge of Romorantin.

    • She was married first to Sulpice III d'Amboise, and then to Jean II de Montmirail.

Counts from the House of Amboise

  • 1248-1256: Matilda of Amboise (died 1256)

Matilda was Countess of Chartres.

    • She was married to Richard II, Count of Beaumont, and later to Jean II de Nesle.

Counts from the House of Blois-Châtillon

  • 1256-1280: John I, Count of Blois (died 1280)

John I was the grandson of Theobald V.

    • He was married in 1254 to Alice of Brittany.

Joan was the daughter of John I.

    • She was married in 1272 to Peter of France. In 1286, she sold the county of Chartres to King Philip IV of France.

Counts as Royal Gifts (Apanage)

Sometimes, a king would give a piece of land or a title, like a county, to a younger son or relative. This was called an "apanage."

Counts from the House of Valois

Charles held many titles, including Count of Valois, Alençon, Perche, Chartres, Anjou, and Maine.

  • 1302-1310: John of Valois (1302-1310)

John was the Count of Chartres and the son of Charles of Valois and Catherine I.

  • 1325-1328: Louis of Valois, Count of Chartres [fr] (1318-1328)

Louis was the Count of Chartres and the son of Charles of Valois and Mahaut of Châtillon.

  • 1328-1346: Charles II of Alençon (1297 – died 1346)

Charles II was Count of Alençon and Chartres. He was the son of Charles of Valois and Margaret of Anjou.

Renée was the Duchess of Chartres. She was the daughter of King Louis XII of France and Anne of Brittany.

Dukes of Chartres

Blason Chartres
The arms of the city of Chartres.

After being brought back, the title of Duke of Chartres was used by the House of Orléans. This family was a younger branch of the royal House of Bourbon.

Dukes from the Capetian de Valois Branch

  • Renée de France (1509 – died 1575)

Renée was the Duchess of Chartres. She was the daughter of King Louis XII and Anne Brittany.

  • Alfonso II d'Este

Alfonso was the son of Renée de France and Hercules d'Este. He also became Duke of Ferrara.

Dukes who were Sons of the King (Fils de France)

Gaston was the son of King Henri IV.

Philippe was the son of King Louis XIII.

Dukes from the Capetian d'Orleans Branch

From 1674 until today, the title of Duke of Chartres has usually been given to the oldest son of the Duke of Orleans.

Known as "the Pious," he was the son of the previous Duke.

Louis IV was the son of Philippe II.

Known as "the Fat," he was the son of Louis IV.

He was the son of Louis Philippe I. In 1792, he gave up his title and took the name "Philippe Égalité."

He was the son of Louis Philippe II. He became King of France in 1830 as Louis-Philippe I.

  • 1810-1830: Ferdinand-Philippe (1810–1842)

He was the son of Louis Philippe III.

Robert was the son of Ferdinand-Philippe, and thus the grandson of King Louis-Philippe of France.

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