Counts and dukes of Bar
Encyclopedia
Bar was a historic duchy of both the Holy Roman Empire and the crown of France, though later totally incorporated with Lorraine into France in 1766. The duchy of Bar includes the "pays"
of Barrois
.
. The first dynasty of Bar were in fact dukes of Upper Lotharingia out of the house of the counts of the Ardennes
, descendants of count palatine
Wigeric of Lotharingia
. They chose their seat at Bar, which was subsequently called Bar-le-Duc
. This Ardennes-Bar dynasty became extinct with Duke Frederick III (died 1033) and his sister Countess Sophia of Bar (died 1093).
In the 11th century the lords of Bar were only counts of Bar. They belonged to the house of Mousson
-Montbéliard
-Ferrette
.
Theobald I of Bar was an ally of Philip Augustus
, as was also his son Henry II of Bar, who distinguished himself at the Battle of Bouvines
in 1214. But sometimes the counts of Bar bore arms against France
. In 1301 Henry III of Bar, having made an alliance with Edward I of England
, whose daughter he had married, was vanquished by Philip the Fair, who forced him to do homage for a part of Barrois, situated west of the Meuse River
, which was then called Barrois mouvant. Since then the duchy of Bar was both part of the Crown of France (for the west of the Meuse River) and part of the Holy Roman Empire (for the rest of the duchy).
In 1354 Robert of Bar, who married a princess of France, was made Marquis of Pont-à-Mousson
by the Emperor Charles IV
and took the title of Duke of Bar. Hereafter, the title of "Marquis of Pont-à-Mousson" was used by the dukes of Bar or their heirs-apparent. His successor, Edward III of Bar, was killed at Agincourt
in 1415.
In 1419 Louis of Bar, brother of the last-named cardinal and bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne, gave the duchy of Bar to René, Duke of Anjou
and king of Naples, the grandson of his sister Yolande, who married Isabella, Duchess of Lorraine
. Yolande of Anjou, who in 1444 had married Frederick, Count of Vaudémont, became heiress of Nicholas of Anjou
, duke of Calabria
and of Lorraine, in 1473, and of René of Anjou, duke of Bar, in 1480; thus Lorraine, with Bar added to it, once more returned to the family of its ancient dukes.
United with Lorraine to France in 1634, the duchy of Bar remained, except for short intervals, part of the royal domain
. It was granted in 1738 to Stanislaus Leszczynski, ex-king of Poland, and on his death in 1766 was once more attached to the crown of France.
Joan of Arc
was actually from Bar (Domrémy-la-Pucelle
), then not yet a part of France.
Hereafter united with the Duchy of Lorraine.
Hereafter united with the Duchy of Lorraine.
Pays (France)
In France, a pays is an area whose inhabitants share common geographical, economic, cultural, or social interests, who have a right to enter into communal planning contracts under a law known as the Loi Pasqua or LOADT , which took effect on February 4, 1995.It was augmented on June 25, 1999, by...
of Barrois
Barrois
Barrois is a "pays" in the eastern part of France. In the Middle Ages it was part of the duchy of Bar, then bordering the duchy of Lorraine. Today Barrois is a "pays" of the present-day Région Lorraine.-External links:*...
.
History
In the middle of the 10th century, the territory of Bar formed a dependency of the Holy Roman EmpireHoly Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
. The first dynasty of Bar were in fact dukes of Upper Lotharingia out of the house of the counts of the Ardennes
Ardennes
The Ardennes is a region of extensive forests, rolling hills and ridges formed within the Givetian Ardennes mountain range, primarily in Belgium and Luxembourg, but stretching into France , and geologically into the Eifel...
, descendants of count palatine
Count palatine
Count palatine is a high noble title, used to render several comital styles, in some cases also shortened to Palatine, which can have other meanings as well.-Comes palatinus:...
Wigeric of Lotharingia
Wigeric of Lotharingia
Wigeric or Wideric was the count of the Bidgau and held the rights of a count within the city of Trier. He received also the advocacy of the Abbey of Saint RumboldThe abbey founded by St. Rumbold in the 6th, 7th or 8th century and a 9th century St...
. They chose their seat at Bar, which was subsequently called Bar-le-Duc
Bar-le-Duc
Bar-le-Duc, formerly known as Bar, is a commune in the Meuse département, of which it is the préfecture . The department is in Lorraine in north-eastern France-Geography:...
. This Ardennes-Bar dynasty became extinct with Duke Frederick III (died 1033) and his sister Countess Sophia of Bar (died 1093).
In the 11th century the lords of Bar were only counts of Bar. They belonged to the house of Mousson
Mousson
Mousson is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France....
-Montbéliard
Montbéliard
Montbéliard is a city in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France. It is one of the two subprefectures of the department.-History:...
-Ferrette
Ferrette
Ferrette is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.It is situated close to the Swiss border. Its main attraction is the Château de Ferrette.-County of Ferrette:...
.
Theobald I of Bar was an ally of Philip Augustus
Philip II of France
Philip II Augustus was the King of France from 1180 until his death. A member of the House of Capet, Philip Augustus was born at Gonesse in the Val-d'Oise, the son of Louis VII and his third wife, Adela of Champagne...
, as was also his son Henry II of Bar, who distinguished himself at the Battle of Bouvines
Battle of Bouvines
The Battle of Bouvines, 27 July 1214, was a conclusive medieval battle ending the twelve year old Angevin-Flanders War that was important to the early development of both the French state by confirming the French crown's sovereignty over the Angevin lands of Brittany and Normandy.Philip Augustus of...
in 1214. But sometimes the counts of Bar bore arms against France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. In 1301 Henry III of Bar, having made an alliance with Edward I of England
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
, whose daughter he had married, was vanquished by Philip the Fair, who forced him to do homage for a part of Barrois, situated west of the Meuse River
Meuse River
The Maas or Meuse is a major European river, rising in France and flowing through Belgium and the Netherlands before draining into the North Sea...
, which was then called Barrois mouvant. Since then the duchy of Bar was both part of the Crown of France (for the west of the Meuse River) and part of the Holy Roman Empire (for the rest of the duchy).
In 1354 Robert of Bar, who married a princess of France, was made Marquis of Pont-à-Mousson
Pont-à-Mousson
Pont-à-Mousson is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.Population : 14,592 . It is an industrial town , situated on the Moselle River...
by the Emperor Charles IV
Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles IV , born Wenceslaus , was the second king of Bohemia from the House of Luxembourg, and the first king of Bohemia to also become Holy Roman Emperor....
and took the title of Duke of Bar. Hereafter, the title of "Marquis of Pont-à-Mousson" was used by the dukes of Bar or their heirs-apparent. His successor, Edward III of Bar, was killed at Agincourt
Battle of Agincourt
The Battle of Agincourt was a major English victory against a numerically superior French army in the Hundred Years' War. The battle occurred on Friday, 25 October 1415 , near modern-day Azincourt, in northern France...
in 1415.
In 1419 Louis of Bar, brother of the last-named cardinal and bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne, gave the duchy of Bar to René, Duke of Anjou
René I of Naples
René of Anjou , also known as René I of Naples and Good King René , was Duke of Anjou, Count of Provence , Count of Piedmont, Duke of Bar , Duke of Lorraine , King of Naples , titular King of Jerusalem...
and king of Naples, the grandson of his sister Yolande, who married Isabella, Duchess of Lorraine
Isabella, Duchess of Lorraine
Isabella was suo jure Duchess of Lorraine, from 25 January 1431 to her death in 1453. She was the first wife of Duke Rene of Anjou, King of Naples, and the mother of his children, which included Margaret of Anjou, Queen consort of England as the wife of Henry VI.From 1435 to 1442, Isabella was...
. Yolande of Anjou, who in 1444 had married Frederick, Count of Vaudémont, became heiress of Nicholas of Anjou
Nicholas I, Duke of Lorraine
Nicholas of Anjou was the son of John II, Duke of Lorraine and Marie de Bourbon.He succeeded his father in 1470 as Duke of Lorraine, and assumed the titles of Marquis of Pont-à-Mousson, Duke of Calabria, and Prince of Girona, as heir apparent of Bar, Naples, and Aragon respectively.He did not...
, duke of Calabria
Calabria
Calabria , in antiquity known as Bruttium, is a region in southern Italy, south of Naples, located at the "toe" of the Italian Peninsula. The capital city of Calabria is Catanzaro....
and of Lorraine, in 1473, and of René of Anjou, duke of Bar, in 1480; thus Lorraine, with Bar added to it, once more returned to the family of its ancient dukes.
United with Lorraine to France in 1634, the duchy of Bar remained, except for short intervals, part of the royal domain
Crown lands of France
The crown lands, crown estate, royal domain or domaine royal of France refers to the lands, fiefs and rights directly possessed by the kings of France...
. It was granted in 1738 to Stanislaus Leszczynski, ex-king of Poland, and on his death in 1766 was once more attached to the crown of France.
Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc
Saint Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" , is a national heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in eastern France who claimed divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the...
was actually from Bar (Domrémy-la-Pucelle
Domrémy-la-Pucelle
Domrémy-la-Pucelle is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.The village, originally named Domrémy, is the birthplace of Joan of Arc. It has since been renamed Domrémy-la-Pucelle after Joan's nickname, la Pucelle d'Orléans .-Geography:Domrémy is positioned along the...
), then not yet a part of France.
Counts of Bar
- House of the Ardennes (Wigerics)
- Frederick IFrederick I, Duke of Upper LorraineFrederick I was the count of Bar and duke of Upper Lorraine. He was a son of Wigeric, count of Bidgau, also count palatine of Lorraine, and Cunigunda, and thus a sixth generation descendant of Charlemagne....
(959–978), son of count palatine Wigeric of LotharingiaWigeric of LotharingiaWigeric or Wideric was the count of the Bidgau and held the rights of a count within the city of Trier. He received also the advocacy of the Abbey of Saint RumboldThe abbey founded by St. Rumbold in the 6th, 7th or 8th century and a 9th century St... - Thierry I (978–1026/1027), son
- Frederick IIFrederick II, Duke of Upper LorraineFrederick II , son of Thierry I and Richilde von Blieskastel, daughter of Folmar III, Count in Bliesgau; was the count of Bar and duke of Lorraine, co-reigning with his father from 1019....
(1026/1027), son - Frederick IIIFrederick III, Duke of Upper LorraineFrederick III was the Count of Bar and Duke of Upper Lorraine from the death of his father, Frederick II, in 1026 or 1027 to his own death. His mother was Matilda, daughter of Herman II, Duke of Swabia....
(1026/1027–1033), son - Sophie of BarSophie of BarSophie of Bar was a daughter of Frederick II, Duke of Upper Lorraine and Mathilda of Swabia...
(countess of Bar 1033; d.1093), daughter of Frederick II
- Frederick I
- House of Montbelliard
- Theodoric II of Bar (1093–1105), son of Sophia of Bar (+1093) and count Louis of Montbelliard (+1071).
- Reginald I of Bar, the One-eyed (r. 1105–1150)
- Reginald II of Bar (r. 1150–1170)
- Henry I of BarHenry I of BarHenry I of Bar was Count of Bar, lord of Mousson and Amance from 1170 to 1190. He was the son of Renaut II of Bar and Agnes of Champagne....
(r. 1170–1189) - Theobald I of BarTheobald I of BarJean Theobald I of Bar was count of Bar from 1190 until his death, and a count of Luxemburg from 1197 until his death. He was the son of Reginald II of Bar and his wife Agnès de Champagne...
(r. 1189–1214) - Henry II of BarHenry II of BarHenry II of Bar alternately Henri II of Bar was a Count of Bar who reigned from 1214 to 1239. He died in Gaza while on Crusade.-Spouse and children:In 1219 he married Philippa de Dreux , the daughter of Robert II of Dreux....
(r. 1214–1239) - Theobald II of BarTheobald II of BarTheobald II, Count of Bar was a count of Bar. He was the son of Henry II of Bar and Philippa of Dreux. He became count of Bar when his father was killed in the Holy Land on 13 November 1239, but news of Henry's death only reached him at the start of 1240. As Theobald was still a minor, his...
(r. 1239–1291) - Henry III of Bar (r. 1291–1302)
- Edward I of Bar (r. 1302–1337)
- Henry IV of BarHenry IV of BarHenry IV of Bar was count of Bar from 1336 to 1344. His aunt, Joan of Bar, Countess of Surrey, governed Bar in his name during his minority. He was the son of Edward I of Bar and his wife Marie of Burgundy. He married Yolande de Dampierre and both his children succeeded him as count....
(r. 1337–1344) - Edward II of BarEdward II of BarEdward II of Bar was Henry IV of Bar's eldest son and successor as count of Bar . He had no male issue and was succeeded as count by his younger brother Robert I of Bar....
(r. 1344–1352)
Dukes of Bar
- Robert of Bar (r. 1352–1411)
- Edward III of BarEdward III of BarEdward III of Bar was made marquis of Pont-à-Mousson by his father Robert I of Bar in 1399 and held it until his death...
(r. 1411–1415) - Louis of Bar (r. 1415–1431)
- René IRené I of NaplesRené of Anjou , also known as René I of Naples and Good King René , was Duke of Anjou, Count of Provence , Count of Piedmont, Duke of Bar , Duke of Lorraine , King of Naples , titular King of Jerusalem...
, king of Naples and Duke of Lorraine (r. 1431–1480) - Yolande (r. 1480–1483)
- René IIRené II, Duke of LorraineRené II was Count of Vaudémont from 1470, Duke of Lorraine from 1473, and Duke of Bar from 1483 to 1508. He claimed the crown of the Kingdom of Naples and the County of Provence as the Duke of Calabria 1480–1493 and as King of Naples and Jerusalem 1493–1508...
, Duke of Lorraine (r. 1483–1508)
Hereafter united with the Duchy of Lorraine.
Marquises of Pont-à-Mousson
- Robert of Bar (r. 1354–1411
- Edward III of BarEdward III of BarEdward III of Bar was made marquis of Pont-à-Mousson by his father Robert I of Bar in 1399 and held it until his death...
(r. 1411–1415) - Louis of Bar (r. 1415–1419)
- René of AnjouRené I of NaplesRené of Anjou , also known as René I of Naples and Good King René , was Duke of Anjou, Count of Provence , Count of Piedmont, Duke of Bar , Duke of Lorraine , King of Naples , titular King of Jerusalem...
(r. 1419–1441) - Louis of AnjouLouis of Anjou, Marquis of Pont-à-MoussonLouis of Anjou was marquis of Pont-à-Mousson from 1441 to 1443 - he was preceded and succeeded in the title by his father. He was the third son of René of Anjou and his first wife Isabella. He and his brother Jean were given as hostages to the Burgundians in April 1432 in return for freeing their...
(r. 1441–1443) - René of AnjouRené I of NaplesRené of Anjou , also known as René I of Naples and Good King René , was Duke of Anjou, Count of Provence , Count of Piedmont, Duke of Bar , Duke of Lorraine , King of Naples , titular King of Jerusalem...
(again) (r. 1443–1444) - JohnJohn II, Duke of LorraineJohn II of Anjou was Duke of Lorraine from 1453 to his death. He inherited the duchy from his mother, Duchess Isabelle, during the life of his father, Duke René of Anjou, also Duke of Lorraine and titular king of Naples...
, Duke of Lorraine (r. 1444–1470) - NicholasNicholas I, Duke of LorraineNicholas of Anjou was the son of John II, Duke of Lorraine and Marie de Bourbon.He succeeded his father in 1470 as Duke of Lorraine, and assumed the titles of Marquis of Pont-à-Mousson, Duke of Calabria, and Prince of Girona, as heir apparent of Bar, Naples, and Aragon respectively.He did not...
, Duke of Lorraine (r. 1470–1473) - vacant (1473–1480)
- René IIRené II, Duke of LorraineRené II was Count of Vaudémont from 1470, Duke of Lorraine from 1473, and Duke of Bar from 1483 to 1508. He claimed the crown of the Kingdom of Naples and the County of Provence as the Duke of Calabria 1480–1493 and as King of Naples and Jerusalem 1493–1508...
, Duke of Lorraine (r. 1480–1508)
Hereafter united with the Duchy of Lorraine.