Waleran III, Duke of Limburg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waleran III, Duke of Limburg
|
|
|---|---|
Seal of Waleran.
|
|
| Born | c. 1165 |
| Died | 2 July 1226 Rolduc |
| Buried | Rolduc Abbey |
| Noble family | House of Limburg |
| Spouse(s) | Cunigunda of Lorraine Ermesinda of Luxembourg |
| Father | Henry III of Limburg |
| Mother | Sophie of Saarbrücken |
Waleran III (also known as Walram III) was an important noble who lived from about 1165 to July 2, 1226. He started as the lord of a place called Montjoie. Later, he became the count of Luxembourg in 1214. When his father died in 1221, Waleran also became the count of Arlon and the duke of Limburg. His parents were Henry III of Limburg and Sophia of Saarbrücken.
Contents
Waleran's Early Life and Adventures
Since Waleran was a younger son, he didn't expect to inherit big titles or lands. He had an exciting youth and traveled a lot. In 1192, he joined the Third Crusade. This was a big journey where many knights and soldiers from Europe traveled to the Middle East to fight in a holy war.
Later, in 1208, an important leader named Philip of Swabia died. Waleran had supported Philip, but after his death, Waleran switched his support to Philip's opponent, Otto of Brunswick. In 1212, Waleran went with his cousin, Henry I, Duke of Brabant, to Liège. They were involved in a war with a region called Guelders.
Marriages and New Titles
Waleran's first wife, Cunigunda, passed away in 1214. She was the daughter of Frederick I, Duke of Lorraine. In May of that same year, Waleran married Ermesinda of Luxembourg. Because of this marriage, he became the count of Luxembourg. This is known as jure uxoris, which means "by right of his wife."
Ermesinda also had a claim to a region called Namur. To show this claim, Waleran added a crown to his coat of arms. A coat of arms is a special design that represents a family or a noble.
Becoming Duke of Limburg
In 1221, Waleran inherited the Duchy of Limburg. To show that he now held two important regions (Luxembourg and Limburg), he added a second tail to the lion on his coat of arms. This was a way to visually represent his increased power and lands.
In 1223, Waleran tried again to take Namur from its ruler, Philip II. However, he was not successful. He signed a peace treaty on February 13 in Dinant. After this, Waleran attended several important meetings with the emperor. He even traveled with Emperor Frederick II to Italy. On his way back from Italy, Waleran died in Rolduc.
Family and Children
Waleran had a large family. He had four children with his first wife, Cunigunda of Lorraine. He then had three more children with his second wife, Ermesinda of Luxembourg.
Children with Cunigunda of Lorraine
- Sophie (born around 1190 – died 1226 or 1227). She married Frederick of Isenberg around 1210.
- Matilda (born around 1192 – died after 1234). She married William III, Count of Jülich around 1210 and was the mother of William IV, Count of Jülich.
- Henry IV, Duke of Limburg. He married Irmgard of Berg, who was the heir to the County of Berg. Irmgard was the daughter of Count Adolf VI.
- Waleran (born around 1200 – died 1242). He married Elisabeth of Bar, who was the daughter of Ermesinda of Luxembourg and Theobald I, Count of Bar.
Children with Ermesinda of Luxembourg
- Catherine of Limburg (born around 1215 – died 1255). She married Matthias II, Duke of Lorraine, who was a nephew of Waleran's first wife.
- Henry V, Count of Luxembourg. He married Margaret of Bar.
- Gerhard, who became the Count of Durbuy.
