Thomas, Count of Flanders facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thomas II |
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| Lord (later Count) of Piedmont | |
| Reign | 1233–1259 |
| Born | c. 1199 |
| Died | 7 February 1259 |
| Spouse | Joan, Countess of Flanders Beatrice Fieschi |
| Issue | Thomas ΙΙΙ Amadeus V Louis Ι Eleanor Margaret Alice |
| House | Savoy |
| Father | Thomas I of Savoy |
| Mother | Margaret of Geneva |
Thomas II (born around 1199, died February 7, 1259) was an important leader in the House of Savoy. He was the Lord of Piedmont from 1233 until he died. He also became the Count of Flanders from 1237 to 1244 because he married the Countess. Later, he was a regent (a temporary ruler) for the County of Savoy from 1253 until his death. This happened while his nephew, Boniface, was away fighting. Thomas II was the son of Thomas I of Savoy and Margaret of Geneva.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Thomas was born in a place called Montmélian. He first started a career in the church. He became a canon (a type of priest) in Lausanne and then a prévôt (a church official) in Valence by 1226.
In 1233, his father, Thomas I of Savoy, passed away. Since Thomas was a younger son, he only inherited the lordship of Piedmont. He later managed to make Piedmont a county, which was a higher status.
In 1235, Thomas decided to leave his church career. He wanted his lands to be completely separate from the main County of Savoy. His older brother, Amadeus IV, talked with him. They agreed that Thomas would get more land within the county. However, all the lands would still be part of the larger County of Savoy. Thomas and his brothers were also encouraged to gain more land outside of Savoy.
In 1234, Thomas and his brother William helped escort their niece, Margaret of Provence, to her wedding. She was marrying Louis IX of France, the King of France. Thomas hoped to stay at the French court with her. But the King's mother, Blanche of Castile, wanted to have more control over the new queen. So, she sent away everyone who came with Margaret before they even reached Paris.
Becoming Count of Flanders
In 1237, King Louis IX of France encouraged Thomas to marry Joanna. She was the Countess of Flanders and Hainaut. Joanna was also the widow of Ferdinand, Count of Flanders. Her father was Baldwin I, who was a Latin Emperor.
As the Count of Flanders, Thomas had to balance his loyalty between the kings of France and England. In 1239, Thomas traveled to England. He went to show respect to Henry III, the King of England. While he was there, his niece, Eleanor of Provence, gave birth to Edward. After Thomas recognized Henry as his lord, he received 500 marks each year. He visited his family again around Easter of 1240. King Henry III gave him a gift from the lands of Simon de Montfort.
Thomas and Joanna were very kind to local churches. Thomas often followed his wife's lead in these matters. Thomas also understood the needs of merchants, who were becoming very important. He worked to give them better rights. This included creating new rules and improving how important cities like Damme and Bruges were run.
In July 1243, Thomas and his brother Amadeus were told by Enzo of Sardinia to join a siege. They were to attack the city of Vercelli. This city had recently changed its loyalty from the Empire to the Pope. The attack on Vercelli was not successful. Also, the brothers were excommunicated (kicked out of the church) because of it. When the brothers wrote to the new Pope Innocent IV to ask for help, he agreed. He also said that Thomas would be protected from excommunication unless the Pope himself approved it.
Thomas and Joanna did not have any children together. Joanna died in 1244.
Later Years and Challenges
In 1255, Thomas was protecting his lands in the Piedmont area. He was fighting against the town of Asti. In a battle at Moncalieri, he was captured and held in Turin. These two cities wanted to force Thomas to agree that they were independent from Savoy's control.
In response, Pope Alexander IV put an interdict (a ban on church services) on Turin and Asti. King Henry III of England put all Lombards (people from a region in Italy) in his kingdom in prison. Louis IX of France arrested 150 Asti merchants. He did this because his wife, Margaret, who was Thomas's niece, asked him to. Beatrice of Savoy did the same in her lands in Provence.
Thomas's brothers, Peter and Philip, led an army from Savoy in 1256. They were able to reach an agreement by the end of the year. In this agreement, the cities were recognized as independent. However, they did not get all the land or money benefits they wanted at first.
Even though Thomas was the next brother of Amadeus IV, he never became the Count of Savoy. This is because he died before his nephew, Boniface. Boniface himself died without any sons to take his place. Thomas did act as a regent for Boniface when Boniface was young.
Thomas had sons, but after Boniface's death, Thomas's younger brothers became the rulers of the County of Savoy. Thomas's oldest son and heir, Thomas III, thought this was unfair. He tried to claim Savoy but was not successful. However, it happened that Philip I, who was Thomas's last living brother, made Thomas's younger son, Amadeus, his heir in Savoy. This meant that Thomas's older son and his family line did not inherit Savoy.
Family and Children
In 1252, Thomas married Beatrice Fieschi. She was the niece of Pope Innocent IV. Thomas and Beatrice had six children:
- Thomas, who took his father's place and tried to claim the County of Savoy.
- Amadeus, who later inherited Savoy.
- Louis I (born 1250, died after January 10, 1302), who became the Baron of Vaud.
- Eleanor (died December 6, 1296), who married Louis I of Beaujeu in 1270.
- Margaret (died May 1292), who first married Baldwin de Redvers, 7th Earl of Devon. After he died, she married Sir Robert II Aguillon.
- Alice (died August 1, 1277).
Thomas also had at least three other children who were born outside of marriage.
