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 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 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 Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English and French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*karilaz'' (in Latin alphabet), whose meaning was ...

became constable of France, and was killed at the

Battle of Agincourt The Battle of Agincourt ( ; french: Azincourt ) was an English victory in the Hundred Years' War. It took place on 25 October 1415 ( Saint Crispin's Day) near Azincourt, in northern France. The unexpected English victory against the numeric ...

in 1415. Alain the Great, lord of Albret (died 1522), wished to marry

Anne of Brittany Anne of Brittany (; 25/26 January 1477 – 9 January 1514) was reigning Duchess of Brittany from 1488 until her death, and Queen of France from 1491 to 1498 and from 1499 to her death. She is the only woman to have been queen consort of Franc ...

, 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 Nantes (, , ; Gallo: or ; ) is a city in Loire-Atlantique on the Loire, from the Atlantic coast. The city is the sixth largest in France, with a population of 314,138 in Nantes proper and a metropolitan area of nearly 1 million inhabit ...

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 Queen Catherine. He was a son of Alain I, Lord of Albret and his wife Frances, Countess of Péri ...

, 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 Marguerite de Navarre (french: Marguerite d'Angoulême, ''Marguerite d'Alençon''; 11 April 149221 December 1549), also known as Marguerite of Angoulême and Margaret of Navarre, was a princess of France, Duchess of Alençon and Berry, and Queen ...

, sister of

Francis I Francis I or Francis the First may refer to: * Francesco I Gonzaga (1366–1407) * Francis I, Duke of Brittany (1414–1450), reigned 1442–1450 * Francis I of France (1494–1547), King of France, reigned 1515–1547 * Francis I, Duke of Saxe ...

, 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 Marga ...

, 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 The Duchy of Bouillon (french: Duché de Bouillon) was a duchy comprising Bouillon, Belgium, Bouillon and adjacent towns and villages in present-day Belgium. The state originated in the 10th century as property of the Lords of Bouillon, owners ...

) in 1651, in exchange for Sedan and Raucourt. To a younger branch of this house belonged Jean d'Albret, seigneur of Orval, count of Dreux 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 3 ...

, 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

in many diplomatic negotiations, more particularly in his intrigues to get himself elected emperor in 1519.

Lords of Albret

* Amanieu I (

fl. ''Floruit'' (; abbreviated fl. or occasionally flor.; from Latin for "they flourished") denotes a date or period during which a person was known to have been alive or active. In English, the unabbreviated word may also be used as a noun indicatin ...

1050) * Amanieu II (fl.

1096 Year 1096 ( MXCVI) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place First Crusade * Spring – Peter the Hermit begins his preaching of the First Crusade, traveling ...

) * Amanieu III (fl. 1130) * Bernard I (fl. 1140) * Amanieu IV (fl. 1174, died c. 1209) * Amanieu V (died 1255) *

Amanieu VI Amanieu VI (? — after April 1272) was a French nobleman, the Lord of Albret (French: ''Seigneur d’Albret''). The lordship (''seigneurie'') of Albret, in the Landes, gave its name to one of the most powerful feudal families of France in the Mid ...

(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, 1401–1415 *

Charles II d'Albret Charles II d'Albret (1407–1471) was a French magnate, administrator, and soldier. He was the son of Charles I of Albret and Marie de Sully. His father died in 1415 at the Battle of Agincourt, leaving the younger Charles as lord of Albret and tit ...

, 1415–1471 * Jean I of Albret (associated, died before 1471) also known as Jean I, viscount of Tartas * Alain I of Albret ''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 monarc ...

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

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

History

Lords of Albret

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