Petronilla, Countess of Bigorre facts for kids

Petronilla of Bigorre (born around 1184 – died 1251) was a powerful countess who ruled the County of Bigorre from 1194 to 1251. She was the only child of Bernard IV, Count of Comminges, and Stephanie-Beatrice IV, Countess of Bigorre.

Petronilla became Countess of Bigorre after her mother passed away in 1194. She also became Viscountess of Marsan and Nébouzan through other family inheritances. She ruled for 57 years, and during this time, she was married five times.

Petronilla's Life Story

Growing Up and First Marriage

Petronilla was born around 1184. As the only child, she was the heir to her parents' lands and titles. From a young age, her future was part of important political plans.

At first, her father managed her lands as a regent (someone who rules for a child). But soon, her care was given to Alfonso II of Aragon. In 1196, Alfonso arranged for Petronilla to marry one of his friends, Gaston VI, Viscount of Béarn. Gaston ruled Bigorre together with Petronilla. They did not have any children.

Gaston took part in the Albigensian Crusade, a long war that lasted 45 years. During this time, he lost favor with the church. He was even excommunicated, meaning he was kicked out of the church. The pope also declared that his lands were taken away.

Later Marriages and Challenges

Petronilla's first husband, Gaston, died in 1214. She was about 30 years old and had no children. The next year, in 1215, Petronilla married Nuño Sánchez. He was the grandson of Petronilla of Aragon. However, this marriage was quickly canceled by Pope Honorius III in 1216.

The leader of the crusade, Simon de Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester, was very powerful at this time. In 1216, he arranged for Petronilla to marry his own son, Guy. But the Montfort family's power began to fade during the crusade. Local nobles opposed them, and Simon de Montfort was killed in 1218. Guy himself was killed in 1220. Petronilla had two daughters with Guy.

Even after her husband and father-in-law died, Petronilla stayed with the northern French crusaders. Guy's brother, Amaury de Montfort, took over. He arranged for Petronilla to marry Aymor de Racon. The crusade failed in 1224, and Aymor died. Petronilla and Aymor did not have any children.

In 1228, Petronilla married for the fifth and final time. Her last husband was Boson of Mastas. Petronilla spent the next few years on her husband's lands. They had become unpopular because of her marriages to the crusaders.

In 1230, Petronilla returned to Bigorre with Boson. Public order had broken down because she had been away for so long. She worked to restore peace and order. In 1232, they tried to take land from Petronilla's half-brother, Bernard V. Their father had died in 1225. They could not claim all of Comminges. However, Petronilla did inherit large parts of Nébouzan from her father.

In 1242, Petronilla made peace with the nobles of Languedoc. They had turned against her because of her husband, Boson, who was seen as an enemy. This happened after Petronilla and Boson joined a rebellion led by Count Raymond VII of Toulouse. The rebellion failed, and Boson lost favor with Louis IX of France. Boson died in 1251.

Petronilla's Children

Petronilla had three children in total. Two were from her third marriage, and one was from her fifth marriage:

With Guy de Monfort, she had two daughters:

• Alix (born between 1217 and 1220 – died 1255). She became Countess of Bigorre after her mother. Alix first married Jordan, Lord of Chabanais and had children. She then married Raoul de Courtenay and also had children.
• Petronilla, who married Raoul de la Roche-Tesson.

With Boson of Mastas, she had one daughter:

• Martha (also known as Amata) (born after 1228 – died between 1270 and 1273). She married Gaston VII, Viscount of Béarn and had children.

Later Years and Legacy

Towards the end of her life, Countess Petronilla gave control of Bigorre to her brother-in-law, Simon de Montfort. He was the Earl of Leicester and governor of Guyenne. Petronilla then retired to a religious house and died in 1251.

Simon de Montfort thought Petronilla had given Bigorre to him as a gift. But Alix, Petronilla's daughter and heir, fought him for it. Alix was helped by her sister Martha. To stop a rebellion in Guyenne and Gascony, Henry III of England removed Simon de Montfort. He appointed John Grailly in his place.

Petronilla's grandson was Eschivat de Chabanais. He became count after his mother Alix without any problems. But he made a mistake by keeping land that Martha had in Bigorre. Martha's husband, Gaston VII of Béarn, then invaded the county. Eschivat had to defend it. He asked for help from Prince Edward of England and made an alliance with Count Roger IV of Foix.

In 1258, war started again in the region. Eschivat agreed to temporarily give Bigorre to Simon de Montfort. He did this to end the fighting. But he made the same mistake as his grandmother, Petronilla. Simon refused to give the county back. Soon after, Simon de Montfort rebelled against King Henry III. Eschivat then helped Gaston VII get Bigorre back.

After Petronilla's death, her daughter Martha and her granddaughter Laura (Alix's daughter) both claimed the County of Bigorre. After this, who would rule the county became a big argument. It was also debated whether the county belonged to England or France. In 1360, the Treaty of Brétigny officially made it French. In 1407, it belonged to Bernard VII of Armagnac. He sold it that year to John I, Count of Foix, who was a descendant of Petronilla through Martha. Since then, it has been a title connected to the counts of Foix.