Louis I of Anjou facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Louis I |
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17th-century portrait of Louis
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| Duke of Anjou | |
| Reign | 1360–1384 |
| Successor | Louis II |
| Regent of France | |
| Regency | 1380-1382 |
| Monarch | Charles VI |
| Born | 23 July 1339 Château de Vincennes, Vincennes, France |
| Died | 20 September 1384 (aged 45) Bisceglie, Italy |
| Spouse | Marie of Blois |
| Issue | Louis II of Anjou Charles, Prince of Taranto |
| House | Valois-Anjou |
| Father | John II of France |
| Mother | Bonne of Bohemia |
Louis I, Duke of Anjou (born July 23, 1339 – died September 20, 1384) was a French prince. He was the second son of John II of France, who was the King of France, and Bonne of Bohemia. Louis was born at the Château de Vincennes in France. He became the first leader of the Angevin branch of the French royal family. His father made him the Count of Anjou and Count of Maine in 1356. Later, in 1360, he became the Duke of Anjou, and in 1370, the Duke of Touraine.
Louis fought in the Battle of Poitiers (1356), where his father, the king, was captured by the English. In 1360, Louis was one of the important people given to the English as a hostage. This was part of a deal to get the king back. Louis later escaped from England. Because of this, his father felt he had to return to English custody to keep his honor. The king then died while still a prisoner.
In 1382, Louis became the adopted son of Joanna I of Naples. This meant he took over the areas of Provence and Forcalquier. He also gained a claim to be king of Naples and Jerusalem. Louis had already fought in the Hundred Years' War against England. He then led an army into Italy to claim his new kingdom in Naples. However, he died during this journey. His claims and titles then went to his son, Louis II.
Louis I and the Hundred Years' War
Louis was part of the Battle of Poitiers (1356). He was in the group led by his brother, Charles, who was the Dauphin (the heir to the French throne). They did not fight much and left the battle early. This was embarrassing, but it meant they avoided being captured by the English. The English won this battle very clearly.
King John II, Louis's father, and his younger brother Philip were not so lucky. They were captured by the English, who were led by Edward, the Black Prince. The terms for the king's release and peace between France and England were agreed upon in the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360.
One part of this treaty said that 40 important people had to be given as hostages. This was to make sure the king's ransom (payment for his release) would be paid. Louis, who was already the Duke of Anjou, was in this group. He sailed to England in October 1360.
However, France was not doing well financially, and payments for the debt were delayed. Because of this, Louis stayed in English custody much longer than the expected six months. He tried to get his freedom by talking privately with Edward III of England. When this did not work, he decided to escape.
When Louis returned to France, his father was very unhappy with him. The king felt Louis's escape was not honorable. This, along with the delayed ransom payments, made King John II decide to return to England. He wanted to restore his honor by going back into captivity.
From 1380 to 1382, Louis served as a regent for his nephew, King Charles VI of France. A regent is someone who rules for a king or queen who is too young or unable to rule.
Becoming King of Naples
In 1382, Louis left France to claim the throne of Naples. This happened after Queen Joanna I died. She had adopted Louis to be her successor because she had no children. She did not want her close relatives to inherit, as she saw them as enemies. Louis also became the count of Provence and Forcalquier through her.
Even though he was crowned King of Naples in Avignon by Antipope Clement VII, Louis had to stay in France. Joanna's soldiers were defeated by Charles of Durazzo. Charles was Joanna's second cousin and had been the heir before Louis. Joanna was killed in her prison in San Fele in 1382.
Louis, with help from the Antipope, France, Bernabò Visconti of Milan, and Amadeus VI of Savoy, decided to act. He used money he had gained during his time as regent. He launched a large military journey to take back the Kingdom of Naples from Charles.
This journey involved about 40,000 soldiers. However, it was not successful. Charles had about 14,000 men, including soldiers led by John Hawkwood. Charles was able to stop the French from reaching Naples directly. He used guerrilla tactics, which means he harassed them with small attacks.
Amadeus VI of Savoy became sick and died in Molise on March 1, 1383. His soldiers then left the fight. Louis asked his nephew, the King of France, for help. The king sent an army led by Enguerrand of Coucy. Enguerrand managed to capture Arezzo and then entered the Kingdom of Naples. But during his journey, he heard that Louis had suddenly died. Louis passed away in Bisceglie on September 20, 1384. Enguerrand soon sold Arezzo to Florence and went back to France.
Marriage and Children
On July 9, 1360, Louis married Marie of Blois. She was the Lady of Guise and the daughter of Charles, Duke of Brittany. They had three children:
- Marie (born 1370 – died after 1383)
- Louis II of Anjou (born 1377 – died 1417)
- Charles (born 1380 – died 1404 in Angers), who was the Prince of Taranto and Count of Roucy, Étampes, and Gien.
