Olivier IV de Clisson Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids 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 lived during a time when France and England were often at war, and Brittany itself was caught in a struggle for its leadership. Olivier was known for his military service and his loyalty to the French king. However, he became involved in a difficult situation during a war in Brittany, which led to him being accused of disloyalty. This resulted in a severe punishment ordered by the King of France. His story is also famous because of his wife, Jeanne de Clisson, who became known as the "Lioness of Brittany" after his death, seeking justice for what happened to him.

A Powerful Lord in Brittany
- Olivier's First Marriage
- Olivier's Second Marriage
Serving the King of France
The War for Brittany's Throne
- The Battle for Vannes
A Tragic End
See also

A Powerful Lord in Brittany

The Clisson family were important lords in southwestern Brittany. They were loyal to the Duke of Brittany, who was their ruler. But they also had family connections and lands in other parts of France, like Normandy. This meant they also had duties directly to the King of France. For example, Olivier IV once joined a trip with Philip of Valois, a cousin of the French King, to help in a battle far away in Italy in 1320. At that time, he was still quite young and learning, described as a squire (a knight's assistant).

Olivier's First Marriage

In 1320, Olivier married Blanche de Bouville at his family's castle in Clisson. Blanche came from an important family near Paris. They had a son named Jean, who later inherited some of his mother's lands but passed away young. Blanche died in 1329.

Olivier's Second Marriage

In 1330, Olivier married again. His new wife was Jeanne de Belleville, who was also a powerful lady with lands in a region called Poitou, just south of Brittany. By combining their lands and power, Jeanne and Olivier became very influential in the border areas of Brittany. They had five children together:

Isabeau (born around 1325)
Maurice (born 1333, died 1334)
Olivier V (born 1336, died 1407), who later became a famous military leader and followed in his father's footsteps.
Guillaume (born 1338, died 1345)
Jeanne (born 1340), who later married a lord named John Harpeden I.

Serving the King of France

Olivier was a trusted knight and often served the King of France on military missions. In 1324, he was part of a French army sent to Gascony to fight against the English. During this time, the King of France honored Olivier by making him a knight. Later, in 1337, Olivier was with Raoul d’Eu, the Constable of France (a very high-ranking military officer), on another mission in Gascony and Languedoc. By 1338, Olivier had become a "knight banneret," which meant he was a leader who could command his own group of knights and squires. He served alongside the King of Bohemia, an ally of France, in Gascony. Olivier also had the trust of John III, Duke of Brittany. In 1341, the Duke left Olivier a gift of money in his will, showing how much he valued him.

The War for Brittany's Throne

A big conflict known as the Breton War of Succession began when the Duke of Brittany died without a clear heir. Two main contenders fought for the ducal crown: Charles de Blois, supported by France, and John de Montfort, supported by England. Olivier IV and his two brothers chose to support Charles de Blois and the French side. However, not all members of the extended Clisson family agreed. Olivier's cousin, Amaury de Craon, had lands in England and had even served the King of England. In January 1342, Olivier's castle in Blain became an important base for the French forces helping Charles de Blois. Olivier's brother, Gauthier, bravely died defending the city of Brest. Another brother, Amaury de Clisson, was captured while defending Jugon. After his capture, Amaury changed sides and joined the de Montfort group. He even made an agreement with King Edward III of England and returned to Brittany with English archers to help the de Montforts.

The Battle for Vannes

In November 1342, Olivier IV led a large force of about 12,600 men, along with other Breton commanders, to recapture the city of Vannes. They succeeded in taking the city back from the English-Breton forces. However, in December 1342, another English-Breton army arrived and recaptured Vannes. Olivier IV and another commander, Harvey VII, Lord of Léon, were captured during this battle. Olivier was later released after an exchange for an English prisoner and for a surprisingly small payment. This unusual release made some people, especially Charles de Blois, suspicious. They began to accuse Olivier of not fighting hard enough and even of being disloyal.

A Tragic End

On January 19, 1343, a truce (a temporary peace agreement) was signed between England and France. Under the protection of this truce, Olivier and fifteen other Breton lords were invited to a special event in France. However, Olivier was arrested there and taken to Paris. Olivier IV's wife, Jeanne, tried very hard to get him released. She even attempted to offer money to one of the King's officials to help him. On August 2, 1343, Olivier IV faced a judgment. He was accused of disloyalty to the King of France and of secretly working with the King of England. As a result, he was put to death in Paris. This event shocked many noble families. It was unusual for a nobleman to be treated this way without clear public evidence of his guilt. Many people at the time, including the famous historian Froissart, strongly criticized this decision. Later, on August 26, 1343, Jeanne, Olivier's wife, was punished for trying to help him. She was ordered to leave the country, and her lands and belongings were taken away. But she managed to escape arrest with the help of Olivier's eldest son and some loyal squires. Olivier IV's properties were taken by the King and then given to other lords who served the French King.

Olivier IV de Clisson facts for kids

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