Theobald I, Duke of Lorraine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Theobald I
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Duke of Lorraine
Reign	1213 - 1220
Predecessor	Frederick II, Duke of Lorraine
Successor	Matthias II, Duke of Lorraine
Born	c. 1191
Died	17 February 1220
Spouse	Gertrude of Dagsburg
House	House of Lorraine
Father	Frederick II, Duke of Lorraine
Mother	Agnes of Bar

Theobald I (French: Thiébaud or Thiébaut) was the duke of Lorraine from 1213 until he died in 1220. He was born around 1191. Theobald was the son of Frederick II and Agnes of Bar. He took over as duke after his father.

Joining the Battle of Bouvines

In 1214, Theobald joined Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor, in a big battle called the Battle of Bouvines. During the fight, his side was defeated, and he was captured. Luckily, he was set free very quickly.

Powerful Duke of Lorraine

As the Duke of Lorraine, Theobald was a very powerful leader. He was almost like an independent ruler, even though he was technically under the Holy Roman Empire. He had many important lords who worked for him, called vassals. However, many of these vassals wanted to be independent and often succeeded.

Some of his vassals included the Bishops of Metz, Toul, and Verdun. Other important lords were the Count of Bar, the lord of Commercy, the Count of Vaudémont, and the Counts of Chiny. Even though these lords were supposed to be under Theobald, his control over them was often just in name.

The Champagne War

In 1216, Theobald got involved in a conflict called the Champagne War of Succession. This was a fight over who would rule the region of Champagne. Theobald supported Erard I, who was fighting against Theobald IV.

Theobald IV had strong allies, including Philip II of France, Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, and Henry II of Bar. Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor, was Theobald I's suzerain, meaning he was Theobald's higher lord. Frederick saw Theobald's support for his enemy as a serious act against him.

Conflict with Frederick II

Because of Theobald's actions, Frederick II took back the city of Rosheim, which he had given to Theobald's father. Theobald fought back in 1218. He took Rosheim back and caused a lot of damage in the region of Alsace.

Frederick II quickly responded. He invaded Lorraine and captured and burned Nancy, which was Theobald's capital city. Frederick then surrounded and took the castle of Amance, where Theobald was hiding.

Theobald was captured and put in prison. To gain his freedom, he had to agree to several things. He had to accept that the Count of Champagne was his suzerain. He also had to give up some of his lands. After this, Theobald never fully got back his lost land or his strong position. He died in 1220.

Family Conflict

Between April 3 and 10, 1217, during the Champagne War, Theobald had a serious conflict with his uncle, Matthew de Lorraine. Matthew was the Bishop of Toul. Theobald found his uncle on a path near Saint-Michel-sur-Meurthe and, in what seemed to be a fight, killed him with a spear. The spear he used was reportedly borrowed from Simon of Joinville, who was an ally and friend during the Champagne War.

Lands and Castles

As the Duke of Lorraine, Theobald's main home was in the city of Nancy. In 1212, he gained control of the County of Dagsburg and its main castle, Dabo, through his wife, Gertrude. He also gained the town of Dorlisheim.

Theobald also held several other castles, including Amance, Lunéville, and the Château des Ducs de Lorraine.

Theobald's Personality

Historical records often describe the dukes of Lorraine as handsome and skilled. Based on Theobald's military actions, he was likely a brave person. However, he also seemed to be very stubborn or extremely loyal. He refused to back down in the Champagne War, even when his higher lord, Frederick II, joined the other side.

This decision cost him a lot. His strong reactions against his suzerain show that he was perhaps too proud to try and make peace. The conflict with his uncle, the Bishop of Toul, also suggests a challenging side to his personality, especially since such actions were seen as very serious in the Middle Ages.

Marriage and Succession

In 1206, Theobald married Gertrude. She was the only child and heir of Albert II, the Count of Dagsburg and Metz. Theobald and Gertrude did not have any children. Gertrude was only 16 years old when Theobald died in 1220.

After Theobald's death, his brother, Matthias, became the new Duke of Lorraine. Theobald's widow, Gertrude, later married his old rival, Theobald of Champagne.

Images for kids

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  A 17th-century drawing of Theobald I and his wife, Gertrude.

See also

• Dukes of Lorraine family tree