Charles I, Duke of Brittany - Medieval Breton Leaders, Birthday and Childhood
Charles I, Duke of Brittany's Personal Details
Charles of Blois Chatillon was a Breton leader who is best remembered for his involvement in the Breton War of Succession
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | 1319 |
| Died on | September 29, 1364 |
| Nationality | French |
| Famous | Leaders, Spiritual & Religious Leaders, Military Leaders, Medieval Breton Leaders, Religious Leaders, Spiritual |
| Spouses | Duchess of Brittany, Joan |
| Childrens | Duchess of Anjou, John I of Blois-Châtillon, Marie of Blois, Marquerite of Blois-Chatillon |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Guy I, Count of Blois |
| Mother | Margaret of Valois, Countess of Blois |
| Famous as | Medieval Breton Leaders |
| Died at Age | 45 |
Charles I, Duke of Brittany's photo
Who is Charles I, Duke of Brittany?
Charles I, also known as Charles of Blois Chatillon, was a Breton leader who claimed the title of the Duke of Brittany in 1341. He is till date best remembered for his involvement in the Breton War of Succession that lasted for more than twenty years. Born to Guy de Chatillon and Margaret of Valois, Charles was a religious and spiritually inclined child. His religious fervour was such that he underwent extreme pain and discomfort to the point of crushing his own self. It was his devotion that made him renowned as a pious and devout soul. Married to Joanna of Penthievre, heiress and niece of John III the Duke of Brittany, Charles claimed the dukedom after the death of John III. However, his claims were not recognized by John of Montfort which led to conflict and subsequently the commencement of the Bretton War of Succession. Lasting for twenty long years, the Bretton War of Succession led to the death of Charles during the Battle of Auray in 1364 and the victory of the Montforts. Posthumously, Charles was canonized as a Saint but due to objection from his successor Duke of Brittany, John V, this canonization was annulled. However, in 1904, he was beautified with the title of ‘Blessed’.
// Famous Spiritual
Prophet Muhammad
Prophet Muhammad was the founder of Islam, one of the most widespread religions in the world. This biography profiles his childhood, life story, achievements and more.
Murad IV
Murad IV was one of the mighty Sultans in the history of the Ottoman Empire. This biography profiles his childhood, family, accession, rule, administration and timeline.
Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle is a well-known spiritual leader, and author. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, personal life, spiritual awakening, etc.
Childhood & Early Life
Charles of Blois Chatillon was born around 1319 to Guy I of Blois-Chatillon, the Count of Blois and Margaret of Valois. His mother was the sister of King Philip VI.
Since an early age, Charles was extremely religious and pious. His commitment in God was so strong that in later years it proved beneficial in infusing loyalty and devotion among his soldiers.
Charles used extreme measures to express his devout state of devotion. He would keep himself constantly discomforted by putting pebbles in his shoes and tying ropes underneath his clothes so as to remain close to God. What’s more, he confessed his sins every night so as to sleep peacefully.
Later Life
In 1337, Charles married Joanna of Penthievre. She was the heiress and niece of Duke of Brittany,John III. The marriage was basically an agreement to form a political and military partnership.
After the death of John III in 1341, Charles claimed the title of Duke of Brittany from the House of Penthievre. However, John de Montfort, his uncle refused to recognize his claim to the dukedom.
Rejection from John de Montfort led Charles to resolve the issue amicably between the two by making peaceful negotiations with the former. However, John’s rigidity and lack of flexibility led to the commencement of the Breton War of Succession.
During the Breton War of Succession that lasted for twenty long years, Charles sought the support of the peerage of France to be recognized as the sole heir to the duchy, while John took the aid of Edward III.
In 1341, Charles seized the city of Nantes and imprisoned John for four years. In 1343, Pope Clement VI intervened, thus preventing Edward III from attacking Nantes by negotiating a truce.
Unaffected by the truce, Charles and John resumed the Breton war of succession. Despite Charles being a devotedly religious man, he ordered the massacre of 2000 civilians after the siege of Quimper.
In 1347, Charles was captured at La Roche-Derrien and was imprisoned at the Tower of London. After nine years of incarceration, he agreed to hold Brittany, under vassalage to Edward and paid a large ransom to free himself.
After being set free from the captivity, Charles resumed the war against the Montforts. Though he agreed on a partition of Brittany with Duke John IV of Brittany on July 12, 1363, his wife, Joanne persuaded him to break the treaty. The move turned out to be detrimental as at the Battle of Auray, in 1364, Charles was killed by the Montforts while his army stood defeated.
Following his death and defeat at the Battle of Auray, the Breton War of Succession was won by the Montforts who formally gained the title of the Duke of Brittany.
Personal Life & Legacy
Charles I tied the nuptial knot with Joanna of Penthievre, heiress and niece of Duke John III. The couple was blessed with five children, John (Jean) I of Châtillon, Guy, Henri, Marie and Marguerite.
Charles breathed his last on September 29, 1364 in the Battle of Auray. The battle also marked the end of the Breton War of Succession with the victory of the Montforts.
Posthumously, Charles was canonized as a Saint of the Roman Catholic Church. However, his canonization was nullified by Pope Gregory XI upon request from his successor, Duke John V of Brittany, one of Charles enemies.
In 1904, Charles I was beatified and given the title of Blessed Charles of Blois. The church established his Roman Catholic Feast Day on September 30. Every year, on this day his feast day is celebrated.
Trivia
The religious fervour of this Duke of Brittany was such that he ordered his soldiers to attend Holy Mass regularly. He is quoted telling his soldiers, ‘We can afford to lose castles, but we cannot let a day go by without attending Holy Mass.’
// Famous Religious Leaders
Prophet Muhammad
Prophet Muhammad was the founder of Islam, one of the most widespread religions in the world. This biography profiles his childhood, life story, achievements and more.
Murad IV
Murad IV was one of the mighty Sultans in the history of the Ottoman Empire. This biography profiles his childhood, family, accession, rule, administration and timeline.
Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle is a well-known spiritual leader, and author. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, personal life, spiritual awakening, etc.
Charles I, Duke of Brittany biography timelines
- // 1319Charles of Blois Chatillon was born around 1319 to Guy I of Blois-Chatillon, the Count of Blois and Margaret of Valois. His mother was the sister of King Philip VI.
- // 1337In 1337, Charles married Joanna of Penthievre. She was the heiress and niece of Duke of Brittany,John III. The marriage was basically an agreement to form a political and military partnership.
- // 1341After the death of John III in 1341, Charles claimed the title of Duke of Brittany from the House of Penthievre. However, John de Montfort, his uncle refused to recognize his claim to the dukedom.
- // 1341 To 1343In 1341, Charles seized the city of Nantes and imprisoned John for four years. In 1343, Pope Clement VI intervened, thus preventing Edward III from attacking Nantes by negotiating a truce.
- // 1347In 1347, Charles was captured at La Roche-Derrien and was imprisoned at the Tower of London. After nine years of incarceration, he agreed to hold Brittany, under vassalage to Edward and paid a large ransom to free himself.
- // 12th Jul 1363 To 1364After being set free from the captivity, Charles resumed the war against the Montforts. Though he agreed on a partition of Brittany with Duke John IV of Brittany on July 12, 1363, his wife, Joanne persuaded him to break the treaty. The move turned out to be detrimental as at the Battle of Auray, in 1364, Charles was killed by the Montforts while his army stood defeated.
- // 29th Sep 1364Charles breathed his last on September 29, 1364 in the Battle of Auray. The battle also marked the end of the Breton War of Succession with the victory of the Montforts.
// Famous Military Leaders
Sitting Bull
Sitting Bull was a Teton Dakota Indian chief who led Sioux tribes in their struggle for survival on the North American Great Plains.
Simon Bolivar
Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan military leader who was instrumental in independence of several Latin American countries from the Spanish rule. This biography profiles his childhood, life, achievements and timeline.
Reinhard Heydrich
Reinhard Heydrich was a high-ranking German Nazi official during the World War II. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.
Otto von Bismarck
Otto von Bismarck served as the Chancellor of Germany and the Prime Minister of Prussia. He unified the German states into a powerful German empire. This biography profiles his childhood, political career, life, achievements and timeline.
William Wallace
William Wallace was a Scottish knight who was a central figure in the Wars of Scottish Independence. This biography of William Wallace provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Heinrich Himmler
Heinrich Himmler was a German Nazi military commander and a close associate of Adolf Hitler. This biography profiles his childhood, family, personal life, role in concentration camps and his death.
Charles I, Duke of Brittany's FAQ
When was Charles I, Duke of Brittany died?
Charles I, Duke of Brittany was died at 1364-09-29
Where was Charles I, Duke of Brittany died?
Charles I, Duke of Brittany was died in Auray
Which age was Charles I, Duke of Brittany died?
Charles I, Duke of Brittany was died at age 45
What is Charles I, Duke of Brittany nationalities?
Charles I, Duke of Brittany's nationalities is French
Who is Charles I, Duke of Brittany spouses?
Charles I, Duke of Brittany's spouses is Duchess of Brittany, Joan
Who is Charles I, Duke of Brittany childrens?
Charles I, Duke of Brittany's childrens is Duchess of Anjou, John I of Blois-Châtillon, Marie of Blois, Marquerite of Blois-Chatillon
Who is Charles I, Duke of Brittany's father?
Charles I, Duke of Brittany's father is Guy I, Count of Blois
Who is Charles I, Duke of Brittany's mother?
Charles I, Duke of Brittany's mother is Margaret of Valois, Countess of Blois
How famous is Charles I, Duke of Brittany?
Charles I, Duke of Brittany is famouse as Medieval Breton Leaders