Marie, Duchess of Auvergne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marie of Berry |
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| Duchess of Auvergne Countess of Montpensier |
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Marie of Berry and her third husband John of Bourbon. Guillaume Revel, Armorial d'Auvergne: BNF
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| Born | c. 1375 |
| Died | June 1434 Lyon |
| Burial | Priory of Souvigny |
| Spouse |
Louis III de Châtillon
(m. 1386; died 1391) |
| Issue more... |
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| House | Valois-Berry |
| Father | John, Duke of Berry |
| Mother | Joanna of Armagnac |
Marie of Berry was an important noblewoman who lived from about 1375 to 1434. She was a Duchess of Auvergne and Countess of Montpensier in her own right, meaning she inherited these titles herself. Marie was the daughter of John, Duke of Berry, a famous art collector. She was married three times during her life. She also managed the lands of her third husband, John I, Duke of Bourbon, while he was held prisoner in England. This happened after the French lost the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
Contents
Marie's Early Life
Marie was born around 1375. She was the youngest daughter of John "the Magnificent," Duke of Berry, and Joanna of Armagnac. Her father was a grandson of King John II of France. He was known for collecting old treasures, supporting artists, and loving books.
Marie had three older brothers: Charles, Louis, and John. She also had an older sister named Bonne.
First Marriage: Countess of Châtillon
Marie's first marriage happened on May 29, 1386. She was about 11 years old when she married Louis III de Châtillon in Bourges. Her father gave her a large gift of 70,000 francs for the wedding. He also gave Louis the county of Dunois. The wedding was a big celebration, even though the bride and groom were very young.
Louis died on July 15, 1391. Marie and Louis did not have any children together.
Second Marriage: Countess of Eu
Marie married her second husband, Philip of Artois, Count of Eu, on January 27, 1393. The wedding took place in Paris. King Charles VI of France paid for the celebrations. Marie's father again gave her 70,000 francs as a wedding gift.
Marie and Philip had two sons and two daughters:
- Charles of Artois, Count of Eu
- Bonne of Artois
- Philippe (who died young)
- Catherine
The King made Philip a high-ranking military leader called a Constable of France in 1392. Philip later went on a religious war called a Crusade. He fought in the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396, where he was captured. Philip died a few months later while still a prisoner in Turkey.
After Philip's death, his body was brought back to his hometown of Eu. Marie gave money to a church there so that a special mass would be held every year to remember him. Their oldest son, Philippe, also died that same year.
Marie and her sister-in-law, Jeanne of Thouars, became the guardians for her three surviving children. Her son Charles became the Count of Eu when he was about three years old. Marie, her father, and her uncle helped manage his money until he was old enough.
Third Marriage: Duchess of Bourbon
Marie married her third husband, John I, Duke of Bourbon, on June 21, 1401, in Paris. She had three children with him:
- Charles I, Duke of Bourbon
- Louis (who died young)
- Louis I, Count of Montpensier
John became a very important official in the King's court in 1408. He became the Duke of Bourbon in 1410.
Marie's father tried to stop King Charles VI from fighting in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. However, Marie's husband, John, did fight in the battle. He was captured by the English and remained a prisoner in England for the rest of his life.
Marie is shown in a famous book of illustrations called the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry. This book was made for her father. In the illustration for the month of May, Marie is believed to be the woman riding a white horse. This scene might show her wedding to John of Bourbon in 1401.
Marie also had her own special book of prayers, which was given to her in 1406. It shows Marie and her daughter Bonne praying. This book is now kept in the Bibliothèque nationale de France. After her father died, Marie chose about 40 books from his collection. This was because she was still owed money from her second marriage.
Duchess of Auvergne and Countess of Montpensier
All three of Marie's brothers died before 1400. This meant that Marie and her older sister Bonne were set to inherit their father's titles. The King had to agree to this.
Marie's father died on June 15, 1416. Marie's husband was already a prisoner in England at this time. On April 26, 1418, Marie was officially named Duchess of Auvergne and Countess of Montpensier. These titles were confirmed in 1425.
On January 17, 1421, her husband, John, also made her the manager of all his lands. He died as a prisoner in London in January 1434. Marie died in Lyon in June of the same year. She was buried at Souvigny Priory.
Family
- Louis III de Châtillon
- Philip of Artois, Count of Eu (1358–1397)
- Philippe (died December 23, 1397)
- Charles of Artois, Count of Eu (c. 1394–1472)
- Bonne (1396–1425), who married Philip Count of Nevers, and later Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy.
- Catherine (1397–1422?), who married John of Bourbon, Lord of Carency.
- John I, Duke of Bourbon
- Charles I, Duke of Bourbon (1401–1456)
- Louis (1403–1412, Paris), Count of Forez
- Louis I, Count of Montpensier (1405–1486)
Images for kids
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The wedding of Philip of Artois and Marie of Berry.
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The month of May. Marie of Berry is seen riding a white horse, at her marriage to John of Bourbon.
See also
In Spanish: María, duquesa de Auvernia para niños
