Odo IV, Duke of Burgundy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Odo IV
Depiction of Odo IV, drawing by Germain Demay (1880) after a contemporary seal
Duke of Burgundy
Reign	1315 - 1349
Predecessor	Hugh V
Successor	Philip I
Born	1295
Died	3 April 1349 (Aged 53-54)
Spouse	Joan III, Countess of Burgundy
Issue	Philip I, Count of Auvergne etc.
House	Burgundy
Father	Robert II, Duke of Burgundy
Mother	Agnes of France

The arms of Odo IV. He used the arms of his uncle, Eudes of Nevers.

Odo IV or Eudes IV (born 1295 – died April 3, 1349) was an important ruler in medieval France. He was the Duke of Burgundy from 1315 until his death. He also became the Count of Burgundy and Artois from 1330 to 1347. For a short time, he was also called the King of Thessalonica. Odo was the second son of Duke Robert II and Agnes of France.

Life of Odo IV

Becoming Duke and Count

Odo became Duke of Burgundy in 1315. He took over after his older brother, Hugh V, passed away. Odo also supported his niece, Joan, in her claim to the throne of Navarre. This was against her uncle, Philip the Tall, after King Louis X died in 1316.

In 1318, Odo married Philip V's oldest daughter, Joan III, Countess of Burgundy (1308 – 1347). This marriage helped Odo form a strong alliance with Philip V, who had become the King of France.

Early Inheritances

When his brother, Louis, died in 1316, Odo gained the title of King of Thessalonica. This was a kingdom in Greece that no longer existed. By 1320, Odo complained to the Pope about others taking over Thessalonica. Later, he sold his rights to this title to Louis, Count of Clermont.

In 1330, Odo's wife, Joan, inherited lands from her mother. These included the county of Artois and the county of Burgundy, also known as the Free County. Another noble, Robert III of Artois, challenged her claim to Artois. This dispute ended when documents supporting Robert's claim were found to be fake.

Fighting for France

Odo was a very loyal supporter of his brother-in-law, Philip VI, who became King of France. Odo was one of King Philip VI's most trusted advisors. He fought in many wars for France. These included battles in the Low Countries, Brittany, and Aquitaine.

He fought against the Flemings and was injured at the Battle of Cassel in 1328.

Battles and Diplomacy

In 1340, Odo fought in Hainaut. He helped capture the town of Antoing. Later, he defended Saint-Omer in a battle against Robert III of Artois. The French government learned that an English and Flemish army planned to attack Saint-Omer.

Odo entered Saint-Omer on July 15 with many soldiers. He began preparing the city's defenses. Other French forces, led by John I, Count of Armagnac, also arrived. On July 26, Robert of Artois challenged the Saint-Omer defenders to battle. Odo and the Count of Armagnac decided to attack. Odo fought fiercely against the English and barely escaped back to the city walls. However, the Count of Armagnac defeated the enemy's left side. Robert of Artois lost most of his Flemish troops and had to retreat.

Odo also took part in the War of the Breton Succession. He supported Charles of Blois. He advised his nephew, John, Duke of Normandy, during a campaign in Brittany in 1341.

Later Campaigns

In 1344, Odo served as a French ambassador at a peace meeting in Avignon. He was there with the Duke of Normandy and the Chancellor of France. However, the English actively stopped the conference from succeeding.

In 1346, Odo was in Guyenne fighting the English. That spring, the French government sent a very strong army to the southwest. Odo joined John of Normandy with many northern nobles. They laid siege to the town of Aiguillon. This town controlled where the Lot and the Garonne rivers met. They were still there in August when John of Normandy was called back north. He was needed to stop King Edward III, who had landed in Normandy. The French campaign in the south ended without achieving anything.

In September, Edward III laid siege to Calais. As the war focused on Artois, Odo's relationship with King Philip VI became difficult. Odo governed Artois for his wife. But the king's government started to ignore local officials. They even began making their own appointments. In December 1346, King Philip completely stopped Odo's authority in Artois.

His Impact and Death

Odo was present at the crowning of Pope Clement VI in Avignon on May 19, 1342.

His Impact

Odo IV's greatest impact can be seen in the later Burgundian court. He supported the arts and the church. He helped many young artists. He also worked to build good political connections. By marrying a French princess, he ensured good relations with the king.

His Death

Odo's son, Philip, died young. This meant Odo's four-year-old grandson became the next in line to rule. This grandson, Philip I, became Duke after Odo died from the plague. Most records say Odo died in Sens on April 3, 1349. Some sources suggest the year might have been 1350.

Family and Legacy

His Family

His Children

Odo and his wife, Joan III, had six sons. Most of them died when they were very young:

• a son who was stillborn (born 1322)
• Philip (1323–1346), who was the Count of Auvergne
• John (1325–1327 or 1328)
• three other sons who died young, born in 1327, 1330, and 1335

Odo in Movies

Odo (called Eudes) is a character in Les Rois maudits (The Accursed Kings). This is a series of French historical novels by Maurice Druon. He was played by Georges Riquier [fr] in the 1972 French TV series. He was also played by C. Florescu in the 2005 TV adaptation.

See also

In Spanish: Odón IV de Borgoña para niños