Yolande of Brittany facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yolande of Brittany
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| Countess of Penthrièvre and Porhoet | |
Yolande of Brittany represented on a window in Chartes Cathedral
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| Born | late 1218 Dreux, France |
| Died | 10 October 1272 Chateau of Bouteville, Charente, France |
| Noble family | Dreux |
| Spouse(s) | Hugh XI of Lusignan, Count of La Marche and Angoulême |
| Issue | Hugh XII of Lusignan, Count of La Marche and Angoulême Guy of Lusignan Geoffroy of Lusignan Alice of Lusignan Isabelle of Lusignan Marie of Lusignan Yolande of Lusignan |
| Father | Peter I, Duke of Brittany |
| Mother | Alix of Thouars, Duchess of Brittany |
Yolande of Brittany (born in late 1218 – died 10 October 1272) was an important noblewoman in the Duchy of Brittany. She ruled the areas of Penthièvre and Porhoet.
When she was young, Yolande was supposed to marry King Henry III of England. But instead, she married Hugh XI of Lusignan, who was Henry III's half-brother. Through this marriage, she became the Countess of La Marche and Angoulême. Yolande had seven children. For six years, from 1250 to 1256, she acted as a Regent for her son, Hugh XII of Lusignan. This meant she ruled in his place until he was old enough.
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Her Early Life
Yolande was born in Dreux, France, at the end of 1218. She was the only daughter of Pierre de Dreux and Alix, Duchess of Brittany. She had two older brothers, John I, Duke of Brittany and Arthur. Her mother, Alix, passed away when Yolande was almost three years old.
Becoming a Countess
In 1236, Yolande received important titles as part of her dowry. A dowry was property or money that a bride brought to her marriage. She became the Countess of Penthièvre and the Lady of other lands like La Fère-en-Tardenois. She held these titles suo jure, which means "in her own right." Her brother, John I, Duke of Brittany, and her father, Pierre Mauclerc, gave her these titles. Her brother also made her the Countess of Porhoet.
Her Betrothals and Marriage
When Yolande was seven years old, she was promised to King Henry III of England. This was in 1226. However, the marriage never happened. Blanche of Castile, who was ruling France at the time, did not want Henry to gain more land in France. So, she made Yolande's father change the plan.
Yolande was then promised to John of France in 1227. He was the son of King Louis VIII of France. But John died when he was thirteen, so this engagement also ended.
Later, in 1231, Yolande was promised a third time to Theobald I of Navarre. Like the others, this betrothal did not lead to marriage.
Finally, in January 1236, she married Hugh XI of Lusignan. Hugh XI became the Count of La Marche and Angoulême in 1249 after his father died.
Ruling for Her Son
Yolande's husband, Hugh XI, was killed in a battle in Egypt in 1250. After his death, Yolande became the Regent for her oldest son, Hugh. She ruled the areas of La Marche and Angoulême from 1250 to 1256. She managed these lands until her son was old enough to rule himself.
Her Later Years
Yolande passed away at the Chateau de Bouteville in Charente on 10 October 1272. She was buried at the Notre Dame Abbey.
After her death, her titles in Brittany went back to her family, the House of Dreux. Her brother, John I, Duke of Brittany, took back the titles of Count of Penthievre and Porhoet.
Her Children
Yolande and Hugh had seven children together:
- Hugh XII of Lusignan: He became the Count of La Marche and Angoulême. He married Jeanne de Fougères and had six children. He died while on a crusade.
- Guy of Lusignan: He was a lord of several lands.
- Geoffroy of Lusignan
- Alice of Lusignan: She married Gilbert de Clare, 6th Earl of Gloucester and had two daughters.
- Marie of Lusignan: She married Robert de Ferrers, 6th Earl of Derby but did not have children.
- Isabelle of Lusignan: She married Maurice de Belleville.
- Yolande of Lusignan: She married Pierre I, Sire de Preaux.
See also
In Spanish: Yolanda de Bretaña para niños
