Theobald I of Navarre facts for kids

Theobald I (born May 30, 1201 – died July 8, 1253) was a powerful ruler in medieval Europe. He was known as Theobald IV as the Count of Champagne from birth. Later, in 1234, he became King of Navarre. People also called him the Troubadour because he was a famous poet and musician. He was also known as the Posthumous because his father died before he was born. Theobald led a big journey to the Holy Land called the Barons' Crusade. He was also the first French person to rule the Kingdom of Navarre.

Becoming a Ruler: Theobald's Early Life

Theobald was born in Troyes, a city in the region of Champagne, France. His father, Theobald III of Champagne, passed away just before he was born. This meant that Theobald's mother, Blanche of Navarre, had to rule Champagne as a regent (someone who rules for a child) until Theobald was old enough. He became the official ruler when he turned 21 in 1222.

Theobald was a talented trouvère, which was a type of poet and musician in medieval France. Many of his songs are still around today, and some even have their original music.

Challenges in Champagne: Debts and Disputes

The first part of Theobald's life was full of problems. His uncle, Henry II of Champagne, had left behind a lot of debt. This debt was still there when Theobald's father died.

Also, Theobald's right to become the Count of Champagne was challenged. His uncle Henry's daughter, Philippa, and her husband, Erard I of Brienne, claimed they should be the rulers. This led to a war in 1215 called the Champagne War of Succession. The fighting finally ended in 1222 when Theobald paid a large sum of money to Philippa and Erard. Years later, in 1234, he had to pay even more money to Philippa's older sister, Alice, to settle her claim too.

Disagreements with the King of France

After Theobald became the official ruler, he faced more difficulties. He had disagreements with Louis VIII of France (who ruled from 1223 to 1226). One major issue was about how Jews were treated in France. King Louis VIII wanted to change rules about debts owed to Jews, which would have hurt Theobald's income. Theobald had an agreement with the Jewish community in Champagne that brought him money through taxes, and he had relied on this money during the war for his succession. Because of this, Theobald refused to follow King Louis VIII's new rules.

During a military campaign called the siege of Avignon in 1226, Theobald left the army after serving only 40 days. Soon after, King Louis VIII died. Some people spread rumors that Theobald had betrayed the king or even poisoned him. These rumors made Theobald's position difficult. He was not allowed to attend the coronation of the new young king, Louis IX of France.

Theobald later became good friends with Louis IX's mother, Blanche of Castile, who was ruling France while her son was young. Other powerful nobles in France became jealous of Theobald's growing influence at court. They spread rumors about him and even invaded Champagne between 1229 and 1230.

Champagne's Struggles and Theobald's Losses

The invasions by other barons cost Theobald a lot. Champagne's economy was very weak because of these wars and the old debts from his father and uncle. To pay for everything, Theobald had to sell off some of his family's old lands located west of Paris.

During this difficult time, in 1229, Theobald's mother, Blanche of Navarre, passed away. Then, in 1231, his second wife, Agnes of Beaujeu, died, leaving him with only a young daughter, Blanche. This meant he needed a male heir for Champagne. So, in 1232, he married Margaret of Bourbon.

The situation got even worse in 1233 when Alice of Cyprus, who had claimed the throne of Champagne before, threatened to start another war. Theobald had to pay her a huge amount of money to make her drop her claim, which put him even deeper in debt.

Becoming King: Theobald's Rule in Navarre

In 1234, Theobald's uncle, Sancho VII of Navarre, died without children. This meant Theobald became the new King of Navarre. He was in the city of Pamplona when he heard the news and immediately promised to respect the laws and traditions of Navarre, called fueros. Becoming a king greatly increased his power and wealth. The rest of his rule was much more peaceful and successful. The French lords who had caused him trouble before realized that as King of Navarre, Theobald was too strong to challenge.

Governing Navarre: Laws and Alliances

As king, Theobald made agreements with the kingdoms of Castile, Aragon, and England. He put nobles from Champagne in charge of most of the government in Navarre. He also divided Navarre into four new areas to help with taxes and keeping order.

Theobald started writing down the laws of Navarre in a book called the Cartulario Magno. He also recorded the traditional Navarrese laws, known as the Fuero General, which had mostly been passed down by word of mouth until then.

To get support from Castile, he arranged for his daughter, Blanche, to marry the future Alfonso X of Castile. However, this marriage never happened. Theobald then arranged for Blanche to marry John I, Duke of Brittany, the son of his friend Peter of Dreux.

The Barons' Crusade: A Journey to the Holy Land

In 1239, Theobald led a group of crusaders to the Holy Land. This journey was called the Barons' Crusade. It wasn't a great military success in terms of battles, but it led to some important diplomatic agreements.

Theobald spent time in Acre, where he even wrote a poem for his wife. He then moved to Ashkelon and started building a castle there. During the march to Ascalon, some of his knights decided to fight Muslim forces at Gaza and were defeated before Theobald's main army arrived.

Theobald then made deals with two different Muslim groups, the Ayyubids of Damascus and Egypt, who were fighting each other. He made a treaty with Damascus. This treaty helped the Kingdom of Jerusalem get back important cities like Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth. It also returned most of the Galilee region, including castles like Belfort and Saphet. He also made a truce with the Egyptians. Some people at the time even said that all the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea was returned to the crusaders.

It's not clear how much of this success was due to Theobald's plans and how much was just good luck. He returned from the Holy Land in late 1240. He brought back some interesting souvenirs, including a type of rose called "Provins" from Damascus and a piece of the true cross. Some people also believe he brought back the Chardonnay grape, which is now used to make champagne wine.

Final Years: Conflicts and Legacy

An original document with Theobald's seal, confirming the sale of wood to the abbey of Saint-Denis.

For the rest of his rule, Theobald traveled often between Navarre and Champagne. He had disagreements with the bishop of Pamplona, Pedro Jiménez de Gazólaz, who tried to excommunicate him (ban him from the Church) in 1250. Theobald refused to answer to Church courts, but Pope Innocent IV gave him a special privilege: only the Pope himself could excommunicate a king.

Theobald passed away in Pamplona on July 8, 1253, after returning from one of his trips to Champagne. He was buried in the Cathedral of Pamplona. His older son, Theobald II of Navarre, became king after him, followed by his younger son, Henry I of Navarre.

Family Life: Marriages and Children

Theobald was married three times.

His first marriage was to Gertrude of Dagsburg in 1220. They divorced two years later and had no children.

In 1222, he married Agnes of Beaujeu. They had at least one child:

• Blanche of Navarre, Duchess of Brittany

Agnes died in 1231. Theobald then married his third wife, Margaret of Bourbon, in 1232. Theobald and Margaret had six children:

• Eleanor (born 1233, died young)
• Peter (died young)
• Margaret, who married Frederick III, Duke of Lorraine in 1255
• Theobald II of Navarre, who married Isabella, the daughter of King Louis IX of France
• Beatrix, who married Hugh IV, Duke of Burgundy
• Henry I of Navarre, who married Blanche of Artois

Theobald also had at least two daughters born outside of his marriages.

See also

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