Peter I, Duke of Bourbon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peter I |
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| Duke of Bourbon | |
Seal of Duke Peter
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| Born | 1311 |
| Died | 19 September 1356 (aged 44–45) Poitiers, France |
| Spouse |
Isabella of Valois
(m. 1336) |
| House | Bourbon |
| Father | Louis I, Duke of Bourbon |
| Mother | Mary of Avesnes |
Peter I of Bourbon (born in 1311 – died September 19, 1356) was an important French noble. He was the second Duke of Bourbon, a title he held from 1342 until his death. Peter was the son of Louis I, Duke of Bourbon, and Mary of Avesnes. He also took over his father's role as Grand Chamberman of France, a high position in the king's court.
Peter faced some health challenges during his life. These challenges were also seen in his daughter, Joan of Bourbon, who became queen, and in her son, King Charles VI of France. Peter's only son who lived to adulthood, Duke Louis II, also experienced similar issues.
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Early Life and Military Service
Peter was involved in many early battles of the Hundred Years War, which started in 1337. In 1339, he joined a failed attack on Bordeaux. In 1341, he was part of a military campaign in Brittany. He also attended the crowning of Pope Clement VI in Avignon in 1342.
By the summer of 1342, Peter was given an important job. He and Raoul I of Brienne, Count of Eu were put in charge of protecting France from attacks from the north. This happened while King Philip VI of France was fighting in Brittany. In 1343, Peter and the Dauphin of Viennois were sent to a peace meeting in Avignon. However, the talks did not go well because the English king, Edward III of England, did not send his main representatives.
Leading in Languedoc
On August 8, 1345, King Philip VI made Peter his main leader in the southwest of France, a region called Languedoc. Peter's main opponent there was Henry, Earl of Derby, an English commander.
Peter arrived in Languedoc in September. By then, the Earl of Derby had already started his attacks. The English had captured Bergerac and defeated the French army there. Peter set up his headquarters in Angoulême. He began to gather a new army. However, the Earl of Derby won another big victory at Auberoche in October. After this defeat, the French leader, the Duke of Normandy, gave up his campaign and went back north.
With no strong French army in the area, the Earl of Derby began to attack the important city of La Réole. Peter tried to gather more troops, but many soldiers were still returning home from the army that had just been disbanded. In January 1346, the soldiers defending La Réole left the city under a special agreement.
During the winter of 1346, Peter stayed in Agen, a city that was becoming surrounded by English forces. In the spring, France launched a major effort in the southwest. Peter and the Bishop of Beauvais raised a new army in Toulouse. The Duke of Normandy also brought many nobles from the north. In April, they began to attack Aiguillon, a town that controlled two important rivers. They were still there in August when the Duke of Normandy was called back north. King Edward III had landed in Normandy and was attacking. The Earl of Derby used this chance to launch more attacks in the south. The French campaign in the south in 1346 ended without achieving its goals.
Working for Peace
In July 1347, Peter took part in peace talks with the English outside Calais. These talks happened just before the city surrendered to the English, and they did not lead to peace.
On February 8, 1354, Peter and Guy, Cardinal of Boulogne were chosen by King John II of France to negotiate with King Charles II of Navarre. They met King Charles in Mantes castle. On February 22, they signed a treaty. This agreement gave Charles of Navarre a large part of Lower Normandy. He would rule it with the same rights as the Duke of Normandy.
In January 1355, Peter was sent on another important mission to Avignon. He met with English representatives there. The goal was to officially agree to a peace treaty that had been planned earlier. However, France's plans had changed. The French representatives were only there to reject the English demands. They had nothing new to offer. So, the talks quickly failed. The meeting only managed to extend the current truce for a few more months.
In May 1355, it seemed that war would break out between the King of France and the King of Navarre, who was allied with England. Peter was part of a group that asked King John II to forgive Charles of Navarre. In the end, King John II agreed, and on May 31, he pardoned Charles of Navarre.
In July, Peter and the Chancellor of France met with English representatives again. They tried to extend the truce. But both the French and English governments had decided to start fighting again. So, these talks were also unsuccessful.
Death and Family
Peter was killed in the Battle of Poitiers on September 19, 1356. He was buried in a church in Paris that no longer exists.
On January 25, 1336, Peter married Isabella of Valois. She was the daughter of Charles, Count of Valois. Peter and Isabella had several children:
- Louis II (1337–1410)
- Joanna (1338–1378), who married King Charles V of France
- Blanche (1339–1361), who married King Pedro of Castile in 1353. She was poisoned by her husband.
- Bonne (1341 – January 19, 1402), who married Amadeus VI, Count of Savoy in 1355
- Catherine (1342–1427), who married John VI of Harcourt
- Margaret (1344–1416), who married Arnaud Amanieu, Viscount of Tartas
- Isabelle (born 1345)
- Marie (1347–1401), who became a Prioress at Poissy
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See also
In Spanish: Pedro I de Borbón para niños
