Margaret I, Countess of Burgundy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Margaret I
Countess of Burgundy and Artois
Reign	1361–1382
Predecessor	Philip of Rouvres
Successor	Louis of Male
Born	1310
Died	9 May 1382
Spouse	Louis I, Count of Flanders
Issue	Louis II, Count of Flanders
House	Capet
Father	Philip V, King of France
Mother	Joan II, Countess of Burgundy

Margaret I (born 1310, died May 9, 1382) was a powerful princess from the Capet family. She ruled as the Countess of Burgundy and Artois from 1361 until she passed away. She was also the countess of Flanders, Nevers, and Rethel because she married Louis I of Flanders. For a short time in 1346, she even acted as a regent (a temporary ruler) for her young son, Louis II, in Flanders.

Early Life and Family

Margaret was born in 1310. She was the second daughter of Joan II, who was a countess, and Philip V, who later became the King of France. Her father became king in 1316.

In 1320, Margaret married Louis I of Flanders, who was a count. Her husband relied on her father to help stop a rebellion led by Nicolaas Zannekin. King Philip V died in 1322. After his death, Margaret's uncle, King Charles IV, became the new king.

Margaret's mother, Joan II, became the countess of Artois in 1329. This happened after her own mother, Mahaut, passed away. Margaret's older sister, Joan III, inherited the counties of Artois and Burgundy when their mother died in 1330.

Becoming a Ruler

Margaret's husband, Louis I, was killed in the Battle of Crécy on August 26, 1346. Margaret and Louis had one son, Louis II. He became the new count after his father's death. Margaret acted as a regent for him when he was young, meaning she ruled on his behalf.

In 1357, Margaret's granddaughter, also named Margaret, was seven years old. She married Philip I of Burgundy, who was the grandson of Margaret I's sister. This young couple did not have any children. When Philip I died in 1361, the elder Margaret (Margaret I) became the ruler of Artois and Burgundy.

In 1369, the younger Margaret married Philip the Bold. He was the youngest son of King John II of France. Margaret I supported her granddaughter's marriage to Philip the Bold. However, the younger Margaret's father, Louis II, and the people of Flanders preferred England over France. They were not eager for this marriage to happen.

Challenges and Rebellions

During Margaret's later years, there was a lot of unrest in the coastal areas of the Low Countries. This led to open rebellions. A revolt in Ghent was stopped by a combined effort from Margaret's son and her grandson-in-law.

However, after the Battle of Beverhoutsveld, the people of Flanders, led by Philip van Artevelde, forced Louis II to leave Flanders. A French army, including Philip the Bold, came to help them regain control of Flanders. The rebelling Flemings were strongly defeated at the Battle of Roosebeke. This battle happened in the same year that Margaret died. Even after this defeat, the citizens of Ghent continued to fight with help from England. It was up to Margaret's granddaughter and grandson-in-law to finally bring the town under control.

Death and Legacy

Countess Margaret died in 1382. Her death meant that her cousin Blanche was the last surviving member of the Capetian family. Margaret's counties were inherited by her only son, Louis, who died two years later. In 1384, all of Margaret's lands, along with Flanders and the rest of Louis' inheritance, went to her only surviving grandchild, Margaret III of Flanders.