The lordship (''seigneurie'') of Albret (

Labrit Labrit () is a commune in the Landes department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in south-western France. As of 2018, it has a population of 861, Making it the least populous Canton seat of all Departments in France. It was the original seat of the lords o ...

), situated in the Landes, gave its name to one of the most powerful feudal families of France in the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...

History

Its members distinguished themselves in the local wars of that epoch; and during the 14th century they espoused the

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

cause for some time, afterwards transferring their support to the side of France. Arnaud Amanieu, lord of Albret, helped to take Guienne from the English. His son Charles became constable of France, and was killed at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. Alain the Great, lord of Albret (died 1522), wished to marry Anne of Brittany, and to that end fought against Charles VIII; but his hopes being ended by the betrothal of Anne to Maximilian of Austria, he surrendered Nantes to the French in 1486. At that time the house of Albret had attained considerable territorial importance, due in great part to the liberal grants which it had obtained from successive kings of France.

John of Albret John III (french: Jean d'Albret; 1469 – 14 June 1516) was ''jure uxoris'' King of Navarre from 1484 until his death, as husband and co-ruler with Catherine of Navarre, Queen Catherine. He was a son of Alain I of Albret, Alain I, Lord of Albret ...

, son of Alain, became king of Navarre by his marriage with Catherine of Foix. Their son Henry II, king of Navarre, was created duke of Albret and peer of France in 1550. By his wife Marguerite d'Angoulême, sister of Francis I, Henry II had a daughter,

Jeanne d'Albret Jeanne d'Albret ( Basque: ''Joana Albretekoa''; Occitan: ''Joana de Labrit''; 16 November 1528 – 9 June 1572), also known as Jeanne III, was Queen of Navarre from 1555 to 1572. Jeanne was the daughter of Henry II of Navarre and Margar ...

, queen of Navarre, who married Anthony de Bourbon, duke of Vendôme, and became the mother of Henry IV, king of France. The Dukedom of Albret, united to the crown of France by the accession of this prince, was granted to the family of La Tour d'Auvergne (see duc de Bouillon) in 1651, in exchange for Sedan and Raucourt. To a younger branch of this house belonged

Jean d'Albret John III (french: Jean d'Albret; 1469 – 14 June 1516) was ''jure uxoris'' King of Navarre from 1484 until his death, as husband and co-ruler with Catherine of Navarre, Queen Catherine. He was a son of Alain I of Albret, Alain I, Lord of Albret ...

, seigneur of Orval,

count of Dreux The Counts of Dreux were a noble family of France, who took their title from the chief stronghold of their domain, the château of Dreux, which lies near the boundary between Normandy and the Île-de-France. They are notable for inheriting the Du ...

and of

Rethel Rethel () is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France. It is a sub-prefecture and third-most important city and economic center in the department. It is situated on the river Aisne, near the northern border of Champagne and 37 ...

, governor of

Champagne Champagne (, ) is a sparkling wine originated and produced in the Champagne wine region of France under the rules of the appellation, that demand specific vineyard practices, sourcing of grapes exclusively from designated places within it, ...

(died 1524), who was employed by Francis I in many diplomatic negotiations, more particularly in his intrigues to get himself elected emperor in 1519.

Lords of Albret

* Amanieu I ( fl. 1050) * Amanieu II (fl. 1096) * Amanieu III (fl. 1130) * Bernard I (fl. 1140) * Amanieu IV (fl. 1174, died c. 1209) * Amanieu V (died 1255) * Amanieu VI (died c. 1270) * Bernard Ezi I, 1270–1281 * Mathe d'Albret, 1281–1295 * Isabelle d'Albret, 1295–1298 * Amanieu VII, 1298–1324 * Bernard Ezi II, 1324–1358 * Arnaud Amanieu, 1358–1401 *

Charles I d'Albret Charles I d'Albret (December 1368 – 25 October 1415) was the Lord of Albret and the Constable of France from 1402 until 1411, and again from 1413 until 1415. He was also the co-commander of the France, French army at the Battle of Agincourt wh ...

, 1401–1415 * Charles II d'Albret, 1415–1471 *

Jean I of Albret Jean I of Albret (1425 – 3 January 1468), 15th Lord of Albret, was a Viscount of Tartas. Life He was the eldest son of Charles II of Albret, Count of Dreux and of Anne of Armagnac. As he predeceased his father, he never ruled Albret. He married ...

(associated, died before 1471) also known as Jean I, viscount of Tartas *

Alain I of Albret Alain I of Albret (1440–1522), called "The Great", was a powerful French aristocrat. He was 16th Lord of Albret, Viscount of Tartas, the 2nd Count of Graves and the Count of Castres. He was the son of Catherine de Rohan and Jean I of Albret.Ach ...

''le Grand'', 1471–1522 * Jean II of Albret (associated, died 1516) * Henry I of Albret 1522–1555 King of Navarre as Henry II *

1555–1572 Queen of Navarre as Jeanne III of Navarre. *

Henry IV of France Henry IV (french: Henri IV; 13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610), also known by the epithets Good King Henry or Henry the Great, was King of Navarre (as Henry III) from 1572 and King of France from 1589 to 1610. He was the first monarch ...

1572–1610 (son of Jeanne III) Genealogy of the Lords and Dukes of Albret

Armorial

Citations

References

* * * * * * Attribution: * {{Royal houses of Navarre

Albret The lordship (''seigneurie'') of Albret (Labrit), situated in the Landes, gave its name to one of the most powerful feudal families of France in the Middle Ages. History Its members distinguished themselves in the local wars of that epoch; and d ...

History

Lords of Albret

Armorial

See also

Citations

References