Olivier IV de Clisson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Olivier de Clisson, Olivier IV de Clisson,
Breton Lord and Knight
Coat of Arms Clisson Family
Born	around 1300 Château de Clisson, Brittany
Died	2 August 1343 Paris
Nationality	Breton
Noble family	de Clisson
Spouse(s)	Blanche de Bouville Jeanne de Belleville (Lioness of Brittany)
Issue	Jean de Clisson, Isabeau de Clisson, Maurice de Clisson, Olivier V, Guillaume de Clisson, Jeanne de Clisson
Father	Olivier III de Clisson
Mother	Isabelle de Craon

Olivier IV de Clisson (born around 1300, died 1343) was a powerful lord and knight from Brittany, a region in France. He was known for being caught up in a tricky situation in the city of Vannes. Sadly, he was later put to death by the King of France because the King believed he was a traitor. Olivier was married to Jeanne de Clisson, who became famous as the "Lioness of Brittany" for her brave actions after his death.

A Lord with Two Loyalties

The de Clisson family were important lords who owned lands in southwestern Brittany. This meant they were loyal to the Duke of Brittany. However, they also had family connections through marriage to lands in France, like Normandy and Anjou. Because of this, they also owed loyalty to the King of France. This made their position quite complicated!

For example, in 1320, Olivier IV went on a military trip with Phillip de Valois, who later became the King of France. At this time, Olivier was still quite young and learning, so official papers called him a "squire," which is like a knight in training.

Olivier's Marriages

In 1320, Olivier married Blanche de Bouville. They had a son named Jean de Clisson. Sadly, Blanche passed away in 1329, and their son Jean also died young.

In 1330, Olivier married again to Jeanne de Belleville. Jeanne was a widow who controlled lands just south of Brittany. When Olivier and Jeanne married, their combined lands made them very powerful lords in the border region of Brittany.

Olivier and Jeanne had five children:

• Isabeau (born around 1325), who married John I of Rieux.
• Maurice (born 1333), who died as a baby.
• Olivier V (born 1336), who grew up to be a very important military leader in France, known as the "Constable of France." He was sometimes called "the butcher" because of his fierce fighting style.
• Guillaume (born 1338), who died when he was young.
• Jeanne (born 1340).

A Knight on Military Missions

Olivier was a skilled knight and often went on military missions. In 1324, he was part of a French army fighting against the English in a region called Gascony. During this time, the King of France officially made him a knight.

Later, in 1337, Olivier was again in Gascony and Languedoc, serving with the Constable of France, who was the chief commander of the army.

By 1338, Olivier had become a "Knight Banneret." This meant he was a high-ranking knight who could lead his own group of knights and squires into battle. He fought alongside the King of Bohemia, who was an ally of the French King.

Olivier was also trusted by the Duke of Brittany, John III. In 1341, the Duke even left Olivier a gift of money in his will.

The Breton War of Succession

When the Duke of Brittany died, a big fight broke out over who should be the next Duke. This was called the Breton War of Succession. Olivier IV and his two brothers supported Charles de Blois, who was the French choice for Duke. The English, however, supported John de Montfort.

Not all of Olivier's family agreed. His cousin, Amaury de Craon, had lands in England and had even worked for the King of England.

In 1342, Olivier's family castle, Blain, was used as a headquarters by the French King's army. Olivier's brother, Gauthier, died fighting to defend the city of Brest. Another brother, Amaury de Clisson, was captured while defending Jugon-les-Lacs. After being captured, Amaury switched sides and joined the de Montfort group. He then made a deal with the King of England and returned to Brittany with 6,000 archers to help the de Montforts.

The Capture of Vannes

In November 1342, Olivier IV led a large army towards the city of Vannes, which had been captured by the English.

In December 1342, another English and Breton army arrived and recaptured Vannes. Olivier IV and another commander, Hervé VII de Léon, were captured during this battle.

Olivier was the only one released after being exchanged for an English prisoner. The amount of money paid for his release was surprisingly low. This made some people, especially Charles de Blois, suspect that Olivier had not fought as hard as he could have. They began to think he might be a traitor.

A Shocking Trial and Execution

On January 19, 1343, a peace agreement called the Truce of Malestroit was signed between England and France. This truce was supposed to make things safe. Olivier and fifteen other Breton lords were invited to a tournament in France. But once they arrived, Olivier was arrested and taken to Paris.

Olivier IV's wife, Jeanne, tried very hard to get him freed.

On August 2, 1343, Olivier IV was put on trial by other noblemen. He was found guilty and executed by beheading in Paris. This execution shocked many nobles because the reasons for his guilt were not made public. Also, treating a nobleman's body in such a way was usually reserved for common criminals. Many people at the time, including the famous writer Froissart, thought this was a very harsh and unfair punishment.

A few weeks later, on August 26, 1343, Jeanne was sentenced to be banished and have her property taken away because she had tried to bribe someone to help Olivier. However, she managed to escape capture with the help of Olivier's oldest son, Jean, and other loyal people.

Olivier IV's property was taken by the King of France and given to other lords who were loyal to him.

See also

• Jeanne de Clisson, his second wife
• Olivier de Clisson, V, his son
• Amaury de Clisson, his brother
• Jean de Beaumanoir, a co-commander in the army of Charles de Blois.
• Charles, Duke of Brittany
• John IV, Duke of Brittany
• Philip VI of France