Matthew, Count of Foix facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mathew of Foix |
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|---|---|
| Count of Foix | |
| Reign | 1391–1398 |
| Spouse(s) | Joanna of Aragon |
| Noble family | Foix |
| Father | Roger Bernard IV, Viscount of Castelbon |
| Mother | Gerauda of Navailles |
| Born | c. 1363 or after |
| Died | August 1398 |
Matthew of Foix (born around 1363 – died 1398) was an important leader in medieval France. He held the titles of count of Foix and viscount of Béarn. A count was a powerful noble who ruled a large area called a county. A viscount was a noble who ruled a smaller area called a viscounty.
In 1391, Matthew became the count of Foix. He took over after his relative, Gaston Phoebus, passed away. Matthew worked hard to make Béarn an independent region, meaning it would rule itself. He was also married to Joanna, who was the daughter of King John I of Aragon. After King John I died, Matthew tried to claim the throne of Aragon for himself, going against John's brother, Martin I. Matthew and Joanna did not have any children.
Becoming the Leader of Béarn
Gaston Phoebus, the previous ruler, wanted Béarn to be independent. However, he decided to give control of Béarn to the King of France.
On August 8, 1391, important leaders from Béarn met in a town called Orthez. They chose people to represent them and created a special group called the Estates-General of Béarn. This group was like a parliament for the region.
The leaders also chose Matthew de Castellbo to be their new rightful lord of Béarn. They told him he needed to get King Charles VI of France to cancel a recent agreement. This agreement, called the Treaty of Toulouse, would have given the French king control over Béarn. Matthew acted quickly to get this done. He was soon recognized as the lord of Béarn by King Richard II of England and King Charles VI of France.
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