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Thibault
the Chansonnier
On 24th May 1201, "Thibault V" Count of Champagne and of Brie
succumbed
one month before his departure for the fourth crusade envisaged to the
Saint-Jean day.
He was the second son of the
Count "Henri le Liberal" and the Countess Marie. He was the husband of
"Blanche de Navarre". She was the mother of "Thibault le Posthume" (the
Posthumous) who birthed on May 30, 1201 and who would become "Thibault the
Chansonnier".
Baptized in the church "Saint
Quiriace" in Provins, his godfather was "Philippe Auguste", king of
France who educated him at the court. He was entrusted there to the good
care of the Queen "Blanche de Castille", cousin of his mother.
The White Countess ensured the
regency of the County with skill and perseverance. Whereas one preached
the war against the heresy of the "Albigeois",
the fairs were the source of prosperity of Provins.
The Templiers spread out there their richness and the Jews took refuge
there.
It seems that "Thibault le Posthume" took the administration of his states
in 1221.
The young Count was beautiful and well made, but excessively plump. He was
weak and undecided, giving up himself to the present without thinking of
the past, nor in the future. He was not a warrior to avenge an insult with
a sword. He was of nature melancholic person, rather made to sing the love
that to control a kingdom.
In 1223, he get married with "Agnès de Beaujeu", cousin of the future
"Louis IX" who was her playmate at the court of France.
The young Count accompanied the king "Louis VIII le Gros" (the Large) and
his troops in crusade against the "Albigeois" in 1226. After the catch of
Avignon and his forty days of obligatory service, Thibault wished to
withdraw from the war. In spite of the refusal and the threats of the
king, the Count regained his province, leaving the king only who died
little of time afterwards. All suspected Thibault of poisoning, so that
Blanche of Castille, the regent made him prohibit the entry of Reims for
the crowning of the young King Louis IX (Louis Saint).
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Saint-Quiriace Collegiate Church in Provins
where
Thibault IV
was held
on the baptismal, funds in 1201 by his godfather Philippe Auguste.
Blanche de Castille - Miniature from
XIVth
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| Thibault
gathered around him some " Barons " forming a league against the kingdom,
but betraying them, he went quickly to the King and was submissive.
After the death of "Agnes de
Beaujeu", a marriage was agreed between Thibault, seeking the
reconciliation, and Yolande, beautiful and rich girl of the "Duc de
Bretagne". However, a missive from the Queen "Blanche de Castille" had
sufficient influence on him to dissuade it.
In 1230, the league formed by Thibault turned against him, constant by
England. The Champagne was attacked everywhere and several cities were set
fire to, in particular Epernay, Vertus and Sézanne. The Count took refuge
in Provins. The intervention of king de France preserved the remainder of
the County from devastations. The Count then decided to surround the
"Ville-Basse" of Provins with strong high walls to supplement those which
already existed . At the same time, with finance, he confirmed, the
statute of commune and the privileges of the town of Provins, granted by
his grandfather "Henri le Liberal".
In 1232, He get married with Marguerite, girl of "Archambaud de Bourbon".
In 1234, Thibault accepted the crown of Navarre, after the death of "Sanche
le Fort", his uncle, brother of his mother "Blanche de Navarre".
Thibault, rich and powerful Count of Champagne, were hated of all the
nobility because of his treasons, as well as all the court of "Louis IX",
following the death of "Louis le Gros": visiting Vincennes, the "Count of
Artois" made him throw a fresh cheese to the face...
The relations between the rich and powerful province of Champagne and
France remained with the state of measured tender but interested and
mutual respect.
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Rejected by France,
it was withdrawn in Navarre, thinking about vengeance.
His daughter "Blanche" get married with Jean, son of the "Duc de
Bretagne", then leagued together against the kingdom.
Again, a armed demonstration from the king and a mail from "Blanche de
Castille" sufficed for their capitulation. He answered with an ignited
letter, not hiding his love for the queen. His passion in love for
"Blanche de Castille", inspired songs and poetries to him which he made
paint on the walls in its palates of Troyes and Provins. This actions give
him the nickname of "le Chansonnier" (lyrics writer).
However in 1239, on the "Mont-Aimé",
close to the town "Vertus", in only one day, Thibault made kill 183 "Aligeois"
heretics. He was the witness well as many bishops, prelates and abbots, of
the cremation. The same year, he went to the sixth crusade. He left the
East after a few months having negotiated some alliances and contributed
to repairs of some fortified towns.
Back in 1240, it brought back the rose of Damas, which will become the
"Rose de Provins", as well as a piece of the True Cross.
In 1248, after the vision of a divine and luminous clearness on the hill
in front of his palate of Provins, he founded the
Monastère des Dames
Cordelières (Monastery
of Ladies Cordelieres).
He died in Navarre, in Pampelune, in 1253.
The Champagne and Navarre were then controlled by his wife "Marguerite",
in the place of their son "Thibault" who was only 15 years old. She made
him crown and get married with "Isabelle", girl of Louis IX, in order to
seal the reconciliation. The weddings took place in Melun in 1257.
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This portrait (Spanish origin) represents Thibault
before his departure for the crusades . |
| From the book: "Histoire de
Provins" / Félix Bourquelot. - Provins: Lebeau; Paris: Précieux (etc.)
1839. |
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