Reginald II, Count of Bar facts for kids

Reginald II of Bar (also known as Renaut or Renaud) was an important leader in medieval times. He was the Count of Bar and the Lord of Mousson from 1149 until he passed away on July 25, 1170. His father was Reginald I, who was also a Count of Bar, and his mother was Giselle of Vaudémont.

Reginald II: A Medieval Count

Reginald II came from a powerful family called the House of Montbéliard. As a count, he was a ruler of a specific territory, similar to a governor today. His lands included Bar and Mousson, which were important areas in what is now France.

Early Life and Crusades

In 1135, Reginald attended an important meeting called the Council of Hugh of Metz. He went with his father and his brother. This shows he was involved in important events from a young age.

Later, in 1147, Reginald joined the Second Crusade. This was a major religious journey and military campaign. He traveled with his father and his brother Theodoric. Sadly, his father died on the way back from this crusade.

Challenges and Leadership

After becoming count, Reginald II faced many challenges. He continued wars against his family's long-time rivals. These included the Duke of Lorraine and the Bishop of Metz. These conflicts were common among powerful rulers in the Middle Ages.

In 1152, Reginald was attacked. He found safety by escaping to the Abbey of Saint-Mihiel. During this time, he was also excommunicated. This meant he was temporarily removed from the Christian church. To lift this punishment, he had to make things right with the church.

Reginald II died on July 25, 1170. After his death, his oldest son, Henry, took over as the Count of Bar and Lord of Mousson.

Family Life

In 1155, Reginald II married Agnes of Champagne. Agnes was the daughter of Theobald II (IV), who was a powerful Count of Blois and Champagne. Reginald and Agnes had several children:

• Henry I (born 1158, died 1190): He became the next Count of Bar.
• Theobald I (born 1159 or 1161, died 1214): He also became a Count of Bar later.
• Reginald (died 1217): He became a bishop of Chartres, an important church leader.
• Hugh: He became a canon in Chartres, which is a type of priest.

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