Raymond-Roger, Count of Foix facts for kids
Raimond Roger (also known as Raymond-Roger) was an important leader from a place called Foix (pronounced Fwah) in what is now France. He was the sixth Count of Foix, a title similar to a powerful duke or lord who ruled a specific area. Raimond Roger was the son of Roger Bernard I and Cécilia Trencavel. He became the Count of Foix after his father.
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Early Life and Challenges
Raimond Roger faced challenges early in his rule. He and another leader, Arnaud, who was the Viscount of Castelbon, wanted to combine their lands. This idea worried Count Ermengol VIII of Urgell and Bishop Bernard de Villemur. They saw this as a threat and started a war.
Imprisonment and Release
Raimond Roger and Arnaud were defeated and captured. They were held in prison from February to September in 1203. Luckily, King Peter II of Aragón stepped in to help. He wanted Raimond Roger and Arnaud to be free because he needed their help in his own plans to gain control of a region called Languedoc. King Peter II even gave Raimond Roger some castles, like Trenton and Quérigut, in 1209. He had also given him other lands in Catalonia in 1208.
A Loyal Ally and Patron
Raimond Roger was a close friend and strong supporter of Raymond VI of Toulouse, another powerful count. Raimond Roger was known for being a great military leader, very brave, and loyal. He also loved fancy clothes!
A Lover of Arts and Poetry
Beyond his skills in battle, Raimond Roger enjoyed the arts. He supported troubadours, who were poets and musicians who traveled around singing songs and telling stories. Raimond Roger even wrote his own poems!
Family and Beliefs
While Raimond Roger himself was not a Cathar (a religious group at the time), some of his family members were. His wife, Philippa of Montcada, became a parfaite, which was a leader in the Cathar faith. His sister, Esclarmonde de Foix, also became a parfaite in 1204.
Speaking Up for Justice
Raimond Roger was a very good speaker. In 1215, he went to a very important meeting called the Fourth Lateran Council. This meeting was led by Pope Innocent III. Raimond Roger went there to defend his friend, Raymond of Toulouse.
Facing Accusations
During the council, Raimond Roger was accused of harming priests. He did not deny it. Instead, he told the Pope that he wished he had harmed more. This shows how strongly he felt about his beliefs and his loyalty to his allies, even when it meant disagreeing with powerful figures like the Pope.
Family and Legacy
Raimond Roger and his wife, Philippa of Montcada, had two children:
- Roger Bernard, who became the next Count of Foix after his father.
- Cécile de Foix, who married Count Bernard V of Comminges around 1224.
Raimond Roger also had two other children who were born outside of marriage. He passed away on March 27, 1223.
