Stephen, Count of Tréguier facts for kids

Stephen of Penthièvre, Count of Tréguier, 3rd Lord of Richmond (born between 1058 and 1062 – died April 21, 1136) was an important noble from Brittany. He was a younger son of Odo, Count of Penthièvre and Agnes of Cornouaille. Agnes was the sister of Hoël II, Duke of Brittany. Stephen became the Count of Tréguier in 1093. Later, in 1098, he took over from his brother Alain as the Lord of Richmond in Yorkshire, England.

Stephen's Life and Role

Sometimes, people mistakenly called Stephen "Stephen, Count of Brittany" in official documents from the time of King Henry I. This might have happened because he was from Brittany and owned a lot of land there. However, at that time, Brittany was a Duchy, which means it was ruled by a Duke, Alan IV, Duke of Brittany.

Stephen was a generous supporter of religious places. In 1110, he and his wife, Hawise, started the Augustine Abbey of St Croix in Guingamp. He also gave property to Rumbaugh Priory. He did this to honor his wife and children.

Stephen was the grandfather of Conan IV, Duke of Brittany, who later became a Duke himself.

Stephen's Family

Stephen married a woman named Hawise of Blois. She was also known as Hawise of Guingamp. Her parents were Theobald III, Count of Blois and Adele of Valois. Stephen and Hawise had several children:

• Geoffrey II "Boterel", Count of Penthièvre: He married Hawise de Dol and had children. Geoffrey inherited Stephen's lands in Brittany. He supported Empress Matilda during a time of conflict in England called The Anarchy. This was a period when different people fought over who should be king or queen.
• Alan de Bretagne, 1st Earl of Richmond (died September 15, 1146): He married Bertha of Brittany and had children, including his heir Conan IV, Duke of Brittany. Alan was also known as Alan Niger II. He received Stephen's lands in England. Alan supported Stephen, King of England during The Anarchy.
• Henry, Count of Tréguier: He married Mathilde de Vendome.
• Maud: She married Walter de Gaunt and had children, including:
  • Gilbert de Gant, Earl of Lincoln
  • Agnes de Gaunt, who married William de Mohun of Dunster, 1st Earl of Somerset.
• Olive: She first married Henry de Fougères and had children. Later, she married William de St. John.
• Theophania (Tiphanie): She married Rabel de Tancarville, who was a Chamberlain (an important official) in Normandy. They had children.
• Eléonore: She married Alan de Dinan and had children.

Stephen passed away on April 21, 1136. He was buried at the Abbey of St Mary in York, England.