Louis of Burgundy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Louis |
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| titular king of Thessalonica | |
Seal of Louis
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| Prince of Achaea | |
| Reign | 5 July 1316 – 2 August 1316 |
| Predecessor | Ferdinand of Majorca |
| Successor | Matilda of Hainaut |
| Born | 1297 |
| Died | 2 August 1316 |
| Spouse | Matilda of Hainaut |
| House | Burgundy |
| Father | Robert II, Duke of Burgundy |
| Mother | Agnes of France |
Louis of Burgundy (born 1297, died August 2, 1316) was a prince from the House of Burgundy. He became the ruler of the Principality of Achaea, a Crusader state in Greece. He also claimed the title of King of Thessalonica, though this kingdom no longer existed.
Contents
Early Life and Marriage
Louis was a younger son of Duke Robert II of Burgundy and Agnes of France. In 1313, he was part of an important agreement. This agreement was made to help the Anjou and Burgundy families control parts of Greece.
On July 31, 1313, Louis married Matilda of Hainaut. Matilda was the rightful heir to the Principality of Achaea. Philip I of Taranto had given this principality to her as a fief, which means she held it under his authority.
Family Agreements
To make this marriage and alliance work, Louis gave up his claims to family lands in Burgundy. He gave these claims to his older brother, Duke Hugh V. In return, Hugh gave Louis the claim to the Kingdom of Thessalonica. This kingdom had been sold to their family many years before, in 1266.
After these agreements, Louis showed his loyalty to Philip of Taranto. Philip was the main lord of Achaea. He also had a claim to be the Latin emperor, which meant he was the nominal ruler of Thessalonica. Louis agreed to help Philip in a plan to take back the Latin Empire.
Journey to Achaea
Matilda and Louis traveled to Achaea separately. Matilda sailed directly from Marseille to Navarino. She brought about 1,000 soldiers with her.
Louis took a different route. He went through Venice, where he asked the Republic of Venice for help.
Challenges in Achaea
While Louis and Matilda were traveling, another claimant arrived in Achaea. This was Ferdinand of Majorca. Ferdinand believed he had a right to the principality through his wife, Isabelle de Sabran. She was a descendant of William II Villehardouin, an earlier ruler. Ferdinand landed in Achaea in 1315 and took control of Glarentza.
Matilda arrived in Achaea late in 1315. Several local lords, including Count John I of Cephalonia, supported her. However, Ferdinand's army defeated Matilda's forces on February 22, 1316, at a place called Picotin.
Louis's Arrival and Victory
Around the time of Matilda's defeat, Louis finally arrived in Achaea. He tried to capture the castle of Chalandritsa, but he was not successful.
Ferdinand of Majorca asked for help from the Kingdom of Majorca and the Catalan Company. However, this help did not arrive in time. Louis fought Ferdinand at the Battle of Manolada on July 5, 1316. Louis won the battle, and Ferdinand was killed.
Louis's Death
Just four weeks after his victory, Louis died on August 2, 1316. The Chronicle of the Morea, a historical record, says he died from a fever. Another account, the Catalan Declaratio summaria, suggests he was poisoned by Count John of Cephalonia.
Louis's sudden death left Achaea in a difficult situation. His brother Odo, his widow Matilda, and the Anjou family all tried to gain control of the principality.
See also
In Spanish: Luis de Borgoña para niños
