Margaret III, Countess of Flanders
On 13 April 1350, Margaret III, Countess of Flanders was born
near Bruges as the daughter of Louis II, Count of Flanders and
Margaret of Brabant.
She was the last surviving child and she became the
last Countess of Flanders of the House of Dampierre.
Weddings
A good marriage was very important. So her father negotiated
the future of his daughter well. As heir presumptive to her
father's territories, Margaret was a highly coveted bride.
the future of his daughter well. As heir presumptive to her
father's territories, Margaret was a highly coveted bride.
In 1355,Margaret of Flanders married Philip of Rouvres,
grandson and heir of Odo IV, Duke of Burgundy.
grandson and heir of Odo IV, Duke of Burgundy.
Philip was Count of Burgundy and Artois (1347–1361),
Duke of Burgundy (1350–1361), and became Count of Auvergne
and Boulogne (1360–1361).
Duke of Burgundy (1350–1361), and became Count of Auvergne
and Boulogne (1360–1361).
We don't know if it was a happy marriage or not, but at least she
married at a very young age!
married at a very young age!
Following Philip's death from a riding accident in 1361,
Margaret was widowed and had no issue by him.
Margaret was widowed and had no issue by him.
King John II of France then claimed the Duchy of Burgundy
for the kingdom of France, by escheat.
for the kingdom of France, by escheat.
After his daughter Margaret was widowed in 1361, Louis
came to an agreement with King Edward III of England
that his daughter would marry his fifth son, Edmond,
Earl of Cambridge. However, these marriage plans aroused
suspicion among the Duke of Brabant, the Count of Hainaut
and especially King Charles V of France. At the insistence of the
latter, Pope Urban V expressed his objections to this union,
because of consanguinity (in the fourth degree).
came to an agreement with King Edward III of England
that his daughter would marry his fifth son, Edmond,
Earl of Cambridge. However, these marriage plans aroused
suspicion among the Duke of Brabant, the Count of Hainaut
and especially King Charles V of France. At the insistence of the
latter, Pope Urban V expressed his objections to this union,
because of consanguinity (in the fourth degree).
In 1364, Philip the Bold, King John's youngest son, was granted
the duchy, and subsequently married Margaret. Margaret's
second marriage to Philip the Bold took place in 1369.
the duchy, and subsequently married Margaret. Margaret's
second marriage to Philip the Bold took place in 1369.
Her father Louis II, Count of Flanders had hoped for
another son-in-law.
another son-in-law.
Children
Margaret and Philip had the following children:
👀 to who they were married
* John I of Burgundy, Duke of Burgundy (1371–1419, murdered
at Montereau), her eldest son and successor in Flanders, Artois,
and Burgundy. He married to Margaret of Bavaria.
at Montereau), her eldest son and successor in Flanders, Artois,
and Burgundy. He married to Margaret of Bavaria.
* Charles of Burgundy (1372–1373)
* Margaret of Burgundy (October 1374 – March 8, 1441,
Le Quesnoy), married William II, Duke of Bavaria.
Le Quesnoy), married William II, Duke of Bavaria.
* Louis of Burgundy (1377–1378)
* Catherine of Burgundy (April 1378, Montbard – January 24, 1425,
Gray, Haute-Saône), married Leopold IV, Duke of Austria.
Gray, Haute-Saône), married Leopold IV, Duke of Austria.
* Bonne of Burgundy (1379–1399, Arras)
* Mary of Burgundy (September 1380, Dijon – October 2, 1422,
Thonon-les-Bains), married Amadeus VIII, Duke of Savoy.
Thonon-les-Bains), married Amadeus VIII, Duke of Savoy.
* Antoine of Burgundy, Duke of Brabant (August, 1384 – October 25, 1415,
at the Battle of Agincourt.)
at the Battle of Agincourt.)
* Philip II, Count of Nevers and Rethel (1389–1415, at the Battle
of Agincourt.), as "Philip II
of Agincourt.), as "Philip II
Reign
When Margaret's father, the Count of Flanders, died in 1384, she
and Philip inherited the counties of Artois, Burgundy, Flanders,
Nevers, and Rethel.
and Philip inherited the counties of Artois, Burgundy, Flanders,
Nevers, and Rethel.
Philip died in 1404, and Margaret died the following year.
With her death, the House of Dampierre came to an end, and the
County of Flanders lost its (relative) independence to Burgundy.
It came under the rule of her son, John the Fearless, and later
to the House of Habsburg.
County of Flanders lost its (relative) independence to Burgundy.
It came under the rule of her son, John the Fearless, and later
to the House of Habsburg.
Legacy
Her eldest son, John the Fearless, succeeded her father
Louis as Count of Nevers in 1384, her husband in 1404 as
Duke of Burgundy and her as Count of Burgundy, Count of Artois,
and Count of Flanders.
Louis as Count of Nevers in 1384, her husband in 1404 as
Duke of Burgundy and her as Count of Burgundy, Count of Artois,
and Count of Flanders.
In 1406 her younger son Anthony inherited Brabant and Limburg.
Nevers and Rethel were at first, in her lifetime, given to her eldest
sons John (Nevers) and Anthony (Rethel), but after John's accession
to the duchy,
Nevers went to her youngest son Philip. Rethel was given to Philip
in 1402 when it became clear that Anthony would inherit Brabant.
Nevers and Rethel were at first, in her lifetime, given to her eldest
sons John (Nevers) and Anthony (Rethel), but after John's accession
to the duchy,
Nevers went to her youngest son Philip. Rethel was given to Philip
in 1402 when it became clear that Anthony would inherit Brabant.
Margaret, being energetic and a country lover, decided to
develop at the estate some rustic activities that would create a
pleasant environment around this favourite residence of hers,
as well as developing local agriculture and providing some
income for the maintenance of the domain.
develop at the estate some rustic activities that would create a
pleasant environment around this favourite residence of hers,
as well as developing local agriculture and providing some
income for the maintenance of the domain.
Thus, she planted a large rose garden, and the petals were
sent to Flanders to be used to make rose water. Largely
preserved, the Château is today one of the best examples
of the princely residences in France at the end of the Middle Ages.
sent to Flanders to be used to make rose water. Largely
preserved, the Château is today one of the best examples
of the princely residences in France at the end of the Middle Ages.
the history of the Low Countries.
A portrait of Margaret III Countess of Flanders
I took this picture in 2018 in Lille (France)
I took this picture in 2018 in Lille (France)
at the museum Hospice Comtesse in Lille
Books
Unfortunately there are no books of Margaret III, Countess of Flanders
herself. (Womenpower?)
However she's mentioned in the book about Philip the Bold,
written by Richard Vaughan.
herself. (Womenpower?)
However she's mentioned in the book about Philip the Bold,
written by Richard Vaughan.
Source pictures: Wikipedia
own picture: portrait of Margaret III, Countess of Flanders taken in Lille
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