John I, Count of Alençon explained

John I (Jean I) (died 24 February 1191), Count of Alençon, son of William III Talvas, Count of Ponthieu, and Helie of Burgundy.

Recognized as Count of Alençon by Henry II of England, John succeeded his father in 1171. He was a supporter of the Perseigne Abbey and the Abbey of Saint-Martin of Troarn.

He married Beatrix of Maine, daughter of Elias II, Count of Maine, and Philippe, Countess of Perche. John and Beatrix had six children:

• John II (died May 1191), Count of Alençon, succeeded his father
• Robert (died 8 September 1217), Count of Alençon, succeeded John II. Married Jeanne de Preuilly, widow of Hugues V, Viscount of Châteaudun. Their daughter Mathilde (Maud) married Theobald VI, Count of Blois.
• Guillaume (died 1203)
• Ella d’Alençon, married to Hugh II, Viscount of Chatellerault
• Helie d’Alençon (died after May 1233), married Robert VI FitzErneis
• Phlippa d’Alençon (died before 1223), married first to William III of Roumare (died 1198; grandson of William de Roumare), second to William Malet, Lord of Graville, and third, to William de Préaux.

Near the end of his life, he planned to participate in the Third Crusade, but died February 24, 1191, at the . He was succeeded as Count of Alençon by his son John.

Sources

• Painter . 1955 . Sidney . The Houses of Lusignan and Chatellerault 1150–1250 . . 30 . 3 . 374–384 . 10.2307/2848076 . 2848076 . 162997835 . Sidney Painter .
• Book: Thompson, Kathleen . Power and Border Lordship in Medieval France: The County of the Perche, 1000-1226 . The Boydell Press . 2009 .