Jeanne de Fougères, Countess of La Marche and of Angoulême explained

Jeanne de Fougères
Suo jure Dame de Fougères
Countess of La Marche and Angoulême
Lady of Lusignan, Couhe, and Peyrat
Spouse:Hugh XII of Lusignan, Count of La Marche and Angoulême, seigneur of Lusignan, Couhe, and Peyrat
Issue:Yolande de Lusignan, Countess of La Marche
Hugh XIII of Lusignan, Count of La Marche and Angoulême
Guy I of Lusignan
Jeanne of Lusignan
Isabelle de Lusignan
Marie de Lusignan
Father:Raoul III, seigneur of Fougères
Mother:Isabelle de Craon
Birth Date:Unknown
Birth Place:Château de Fougères, Brittany, France
Death Date:After 1273
Noble Family:de Fougères

Jeanne de Fougères (died after 1273), was ruling suo jure Lady of Fougères from 1256. She was the wife of Hugh XII of Lusignan, Count of La Marche and Count of Angoulême. Jeanne was responsible for the later additions and fortifications of the Chateau of Fougères which provided a greater stability for the town.

Life

Jeanne was born at the Chateau of Fougères, in Brittany on an unknown date, the only daughter and surviving child of Raoul III, seigneur of Fougères and Isabelle de Craon (born 1212). Her paternal grandparents were Geoffrey, seigneur of Fougères and Mathilde de Porhoet, and her maternal grandparents were Amaury I, seigneur of Craon (1175–1226) and Jeanne des Roches (c. 1195- 28 September 1238), daughter of Guillaume des Roches, seneschal of Anjou, and Marguerite de Sablé.

Reign

Jeanne had a brother Jean de Fougères, but he died immediately after his birth on 6 December 1230. As no more sons were born to her mother, Jeanne became the heiress to her father's lordship of Fougères, which she inherited suo jure upon the death of her father on 24 February 1256. She thereafter held the title of Dame de Fougères. That same year 1256, she issued orders for the expansion of the chateau of Fougères, adding the Melusine and Gobelin towers as well as fortifying the ramparts and gates. Her efforts provided a greater stability for the town.

On 29 January 1254, Jeanne was married to Hugh XII de Lusignan, seigneur of Lusignan, Couhe, and Peyrat, Count of La Marche and Angoulême. She became the Countess of La Marche and Angoulême upon her marriage, which was recorded in the Chronicon Savigniacense on 4 February 1254.

Shortly after 25 August 1270, Jeanne became a widow when her husband Hugh was killed while on Crusade with King Louis IX of France. Jeanne was granted the wardship of her minor children in Nov. 1271. Jeanne de Fougères was not only instrumental in fortifying the Château of Fougères but also played a pivotal role in managing her lands, particularly during the politically turbulent period following her husband's death, ensuring the protection and prosperity of her domains.[1] She died on an unknown date after 1273. She left a will dated 20 May 1269. She was buried in Savigny.

Upon Jeanne's death, her eldest daughter Yolanda became the Heiress of Fougères.

Issue

Hugh and Jeanne together had six children:

References

Notes and References

  1. Evergates, Theodore. Aristocratic Women in Medieval France. University of Pennsylvania Press, 1999.