Louis II, Count of Blois facts for kids
Louis II of Châtillon (died August 26, 1346) was an important French nobleman. He was the son of Guy I, Count of Blois and Margaret of Valois. From 1342 until his death, Louis was the count of Blois and the lord of Avesnes.
Who Was Louis II?
Louis was the oldest son of Guy I, Count of Blois and Margaret of Valois. His mother, Margaret, was the sister of King Philip VI of France. This meant Louis was related to the French royal family, the House of Valois.
Louis belonged to the House of Châtillon, a powerful family known for its military leaders. They owned a lot of land in northeastern France. Their main territory was the county of Blois.
Louis's Family and Marriage
Louis had a younger brother named Charles of Blois. In 1337, Charles married Joan of Penthièvre. She was the daughter and heir of John III, Duke of Brittany. Charles was set to become the next duke.
In 1340, Louis married Jeanne of Avesnes in Soissons. Jeanne was the Countess of Soissons. She was the daughter of John of Avesnes, Lord of Beaumont. Louis and Jeanne had three children:
- Louis III, Count of Blois and Soissons
- John II, Count of Blois
- Guy II, Count of Blois and Soissons
Louis II and the War with England
In April 1341, the Duke of Brittany died. Louis's brother, Charles of Blois, claimed he should be the new duke. However, the old duke's half-brother, John of Montfort, also wanted the title. This disagreement led to a major conflict called the War of the Breton Succession.
King Philip VI of France supported Louis's brother, Charles. Louis of Blois became one of Charles's main commanders. He fought alongside Charles of Spain. On April 15, 1342, Louis joined his brother in a successful attack on Rennes. They easily captured this important castle from John of Montfort's supporters.
Louis II of Châtillon was killed in battle on August 26, 1346. He died during the famous battle of Crécy.
