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The House of Baux is a French noble family from the south of France. It was one of the richest and most powerful families of medieval Provence, known as the 'Race d’Aiglon'. They were independent lords as castellans of Les Baux and Arles and wielded very considerable authority at the local level. They held important fiefs and vast lands, including the principality of Orange.[1]
In Old French: baux (and in Provençal-Occitan, li baou) is the word for 'cliffs, escarpment'. In its use as the family name, it refers to the natural fortress on which the family built their castle, the Château des Baux and the village that surrounded it. The escarpment provided a raised and protected mountain valley that protected their food supply; the natural ridge of the Alpilles allowed control of all the approaches to the citadel of Les Baux-de-Provence and the surrounding countryside, including the passage up and down the Rhone, and the approaches from the Mediterranean. Together, these natural advantages made the fortress impervious to the military technology of the time.
The family of des Baux is still thriving today in Naples in the person of several noble families descended from younger sons who followed Charles of Anjou south.[2] In particular from Bertrand, Lord of Baux and Prince of Orange, derive three cadet branches of the house, which moved to southern Italy, giving rise to the Italianized branches of the "Orsini del Balzo" Counts of Avellino, Dukes of Andria and Princes of Taranto.
After the death of Alix des Baux, the last sovereign of Baux, the chateau and town were seized by King Rene, who gave them to his second wife, Queen Jeanne of Laval. When Provence was united with the crown almost 150 yrs of royal governors followed, including the lords, later counts and princes, de Manville. Les Baux became a centre for Protestantism. Its unsuccessful revolt against the crown led Cardinal Richelieu in 1632 to order that the castle and its walls should be demolished. This was accomplished with the aid of artillery.
Lords of Baux
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The earliest definite ancestor was Pons (Poncius Iuvenis, 'Pons the Younger'). The name may indicate a trader from Greece,[why?] while his sobriquet, 'the Younger', distinguished him from his father, Pons the Elder. Pons the Younger was mentioned in three legal acts:[3]
- 1st in the act of donation of 14 May 971 donating Montmajour to Boson & his wife Folcoare,
- 2nd in 975 in the act of donation of land to St Etienne d'Arles, now called St. Trophime (Arch. du chap. d'Arles, liv. autent. f. 22)
- 3rd with his wife Profecte in an act of donation in 981
The family descent then is:
- Pons the Younger (born c. 950, fl. 971-1028), father of
- Hugh I (born c. 970 – after 1059), father of
- William Hugh of Baux French: Guillaume Hugues or "Guilhem Uc" (after 1030 – 1105), father of
- Raymond I (before 1095 – 1150), father of
- Hugh II (reigned 1150 – 1167; retired to Sardinia where he died in 1179)
- Betrand I (1167–1181), brother of Hugh II
- Hugh III (1181–1240), lord of Baux, viscount of Marseille, eldest son of Bertrand I
- Barral of Baux (Barral I, 1240–1268), father of
- Bertrand III (1268–1305), father of
- Raymond II (1305–1322), father of
- Hugh IV (1322–1351), father of
- Robert (1351–1353)
- Raymond III (1353–1372), brother of Robert, father of
- John I (1372–1375)
- Alice I (1372–1426), sister of John
This branch of the House of Baux was declared extinct in 1426. The domains were inherited by Counts of Provence.
Lords of Berre, Meyragues, Puyricard and Marignane
edit- Bertrand II des Baux, second oldest son of Bertrand I des Baux, lord of Berre, Meyragues and Puyricard, and Marignane (1181–1201)
- ...
From this branch originated the family branches of the Seigneurs de Berre, Lords of Meyrargues and Puyricard, who became extinct in 1349, and lords of Marignane, acquired by House of Valois-Anjou, as well as the Dukes of Andria.
Princes of Orange
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- Bertrand I des Baux (1171–1181)
- Raymond II of Baux, (1218–1282)
- William I, youngest son of Bertrand I des Baux, (1181–1218)
- William II, co-Prince (with brothers),1218-1239
- Bertrand II, (1281–1314)
- Raymond III (1314–1340)
- Raymond V (1340–1393)
- Mary of Baux-Orange (1393–1417), daughter, married John III of Châlon-Arlay
In 1417, the House of Ivrea or House of Châlon-Arlay succeeded as princes of Orange.
A brother of William I started the branch of the Lords of Courbezon (House of Baux-Courbezon), which became extinct in 1393. Another brother started the line of Lords of Suze, Solerieux and Barri (House of Baux-Suze-Solerieux-Barri), which became extinct and reverted afterwards to the counts of Orange.
Family Genealogy
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2012) |
Ancestors of the Lords of Baux
editThe ancestors of the Lords of Baux:[4][5][full citation needed]
- Leibulf de Provence (vers 750–835)
- m. Odda ?
- Leibulf des Baux (middle of the 9th century).[6]
- m. ??
- Pons d’Arles (end of the 9th century)
- m. Blismodis de Mâcon
- Humbert, Bishop of Vaison-la-Romaine (890–933)
- Ison d’Arles (890–942)
- m. Princess ? of Benevento
- Lambert Ursus seigneurs de Reillanne
- m. Galburge de Bénévent
- Seigneurs de Reillanne
- m. Galburge de Bénévent
- Pons de Marseille (910–979),
- m. Judith de Bretagne,[a] daughter d'Alain II de Bretagne
- Honoratus de Marseille (930–978), Bishop of Marseille
- William of Marseille (935–1004)
- m. Bellilde, daughter d’Arlulf de Marseille
- m. Belletrude[b]
- (hyp) Pons de Fos (vers 945–1025)
- m. Profecta de Marignane
- Seigneurs de Fos
- (hyp) Hugues des Baux (981–1060)
- m. Inauris de Cavaillon (?)
- Guillaume Hugues de Baux (1060–1095)
- m. Vierne
- Raymond-Raimbaud des Baux (1095–1150)
- m. Étiennette de Gévaudan
- Bertrand des Baux
- Bertrand des Baux
- m. Étiennette de Gévaudan
- Raymond-Raimbaud des Baux (1095–1150)
- m. Vierne
- Guillaume Hugues de Baux (1060–1095)
- m. Inauris de Cavaillon (?)
- m. Profecta de Marignane
- (hyp) Pons de Fos (vers 945–1025)
- m. Judith de Bretagne,[a] daughter d'Alain II de Bretagne
- Lambert Ursus seigneurs de Reillanne
- m. Princess ? of Benevento
- m. Blismodis de Mâcon
- Pons d’Arles (end of the 9th century)
- m. ??
- Leibulf des Baux (middle of the 9th century).[6]
- m. Odda ?
Simplified Family Tree of the Lords of Baux
editThe family tree of the lords of Baux:[3][c]
| Pons the Younger "Iuventus" 945-1025  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hugh 981-1060 Lord of Baux | Geoffrey I of Provence, 1013-1062, Count of Provence | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| William Hugo c. 1026 - c. 1105 Lord of Baux | William Bertrand 1051-1094 Count of Provence | Gerberga 1094-1118 Countess of Provence | Gilbert Viscount of Gévaudan Count of Arles d.ca. 1110 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raymond I 1095-1150 Lord of Baux | Stephanie d. c. 1160 The younger daughter. This marriage was the start of the Baussenque Wars over the succession to Provence | Dulcia Countess of Provence c. 1090–1127 | Ramon Berenguer III "the Great" Count of Barcelona c. 1082–1131  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hugh II 1150-1170 Iudicarus of Arborea Sardinia Vcte. des Baux to 1384 | Bertrand I Lord of Baux 1130-1181 Count & from 1163 Prince of Orange | Tiburge d'Orange died 1189 daughter & heiress of Raimbaud II d'Orange Count of Orange  | Counts of Provence   | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Barrale Viscountess of Marseille died 1234  | Hugh III 1173- 1240 Lord of Baux Vcte of Marseille | Bertrand II died 1201 co-Prince of Orange | William I ?-1218 Prince of Orange  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Barral I 1217-1270 Lord of Baux Vcte of Marseille | Raymond II d.1236 Vcte of Marseille | Bertrand III Count of Andria, Montescaglioso, and Squillace | Raymond I 1202-1282 co-Prince of Orange | William II 1218-1239 co-Prince of Orange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bertrand II 1244-1305 Lord of Baux Vcte of Marseille 1st Count d'Avellino (Naples) 1278 | Bertrand III Sg Meyrargues et Puyricard +1266 Line of Sg de Meyrargues et de Puyricard ended 1352 in the male line. | Gilbert Sg de Marignane Line of sg de Marignane line continues to present in Provence | William I[a] Sg de Berre +1265/1266 dukes d'Andria(Naples) from whom "del Balzo" dukes of Capriglianode dukes of Presenzano | Raymond Vcte of Berre No descendants | Francis I Duke of Andria, Count of Montescaglioso & Squillace | Bertrand IV died 1314 4th-Prince of Orange | Eléonore de Genève  | William IV d. 1281 co-Prince of Orange | William III died 1256/7 co-Prince of Orange Sg Courthézon | Raymond II died 1256/7 co-Prince of Orange sg Courthézon et Suze, Séguret Sérignan, Camaret | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raymond I 1268-1321 Lord of Baux Vcte of Marseille Count d'Avellino (Naples) Sénéchal de Provence 1315 Régent de Naples in 1295 | Hugh assassinated Milan 1302 Sg de Loriol Sénéchal of Piémont Vicaire Général Lombardy no descendants | Barral II 1301-1331 Sg de Loreto | Agoult d.1346/7 Sg. de Caromb, Brantes Le Barroux, St Léger Sénéchal Beaucaire and Nimes 1340 Toulouse/Albi 1342 Cap. gén. en Languedoc | James Prince of Taranta & Achaia titular Latin emperor of Constantinople | William II Duke of Andria | Raymond IV died 1340 5th Prince of Orange | Bertrand III[b] died 1305 co-Prince of Orange Sg Courthézon | Raymond III[d] d.ca.1339 co-Prince of Orange 2nd sg de Suze, & Bari | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hugh II 1311-1351 Lord of Baux Vcte of Marseille Count d'Avellino (Naples) Sénéchal de Provence 1343 Grand Admiral of Naples | Bertrand d. 1355 Seig of Caromb | Dragobert 1327/8-1340 sg de Villefranche | Raymond 1328-1381 Sg of Caromb | Amiel d. 1375 Sg of Caromb | Francis II Duke of Andria | Raymond V died 1393 6th Prince of Orange | Jeanne de Genève[7] | Bertrand d.1380 Sg. of Gigondas Suze, Condorcet | Guiges d.1390 | Guillaume d.1390 Sg of Camaret Travaillan, Condorcet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Antoine d. 1374 Sg of Aubagne | Robert d.1354 Lord of Baux Vcte of Marseille Count d'Avellino | Raymond II 1331-1372 Lord of Baux Vcte of Marseille Count d'Avellino | Francis d. 1390 Sg of Aubagne | Pirro Duke of Andria, Prince of Altamura | Mary died 1417 7th Princess of Orange | John III of Châlon lord of Arlay died 1418  | William d. 1427 Sg. of St-Roman de Malegarde | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John 1372-1375 posthumous child | Alix [e][3] 1367-1426 last sovereign of the indep. state of Baux Countess d'Avellino | Frederick king of Naples | Isabella del Balzo | Châlon & Nassau Princes of Orange  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ a b Line of the dukes d'Andria and Nardo, counts of Squillace, princes of Tarento (in Naples) and Achaïa (Greece). Elder branch ended in 1530 in the male line. A younger branch survives in Naples as the "del Balzo" in multiple branches, as dukes of Capriglianode, another as counts del Balzo (died out 1932) and another as the dukes of Presenzano.del Balzo di Presenzano, Gioacchino. "GENEALOGY Maison del Balzo/des Baux, with bibliography cited there". Retrieved 2012-08-28.
- ^ a b Sg Courthézon, gave his rights to the principality to Raymond IV for this lordship. One male line died out c.1372, the other two lead to the counts d'Alessano, and counts d'Alessano, including the Orsini des Baux, died out by 1550.del Balzo di Presenzano, Gioacchino. "GENEALOGY Maison del Balzo/des Baux, with bibliography cited there". Retrieved 2012-08-28.
- ^ (Per the references cited in the Simplified family tree footnote section below, rather than footnote each person, as they are from all these sources)
- ^ Gave his rights to his brother. Male line died out c. 1409. del Balzo di Presenzano, Gioacchino. "GENEALOGY Maison del Balzo/des Baux". Retrieved 2012-08-28. del Balzo di Presenzano, Gioacchino. "GENEALOGY Maison del Balzo/des Baux, with bibliography cited there". Retrieved 2012-08-28.
- ^ She was married to Odon de Villars and Conrad IV de Furstemberg. Her uncle, on her mother's side, Raymond de Turenne used the fortress of Baux to wage war on the counts of Provence. On her death, the lordship of Baux was seized by King Rene, the count of Provence and given to his wife, Jeanne of Laval, thus ending its independence.fr:Alix des Baux
References
edit- ^ Grew 1947, p. 5–16
- ^ del Balzo, Gioacchino. "GENEALOGY Maison del Balzo/des Baux". Retrieved 21 April 2011.
- ^ a b c Paulet, Ladislas (1986). Les Baux et Castillon: Histoire des communes des Baux, de Paradou, de Maussane, et de Mouries. Arles, France: Editions Culture Provencale Méridionale de Marcel Petit. ISBN 978-2866730604.
- ^ Geary, Patrick J. (1994). Phantoms of remembrance: Memory and oblivion at the end of the first millennium. Princeton, N.J., United States: Princeton University Press. p. 76. ISBN 9780691026039.
- ^ d’Hauthuille, Olivier. Héraldique et généalogie. 89.I.160
- ^ *Cook, Theodore Andrea (1905). Twenty-five great houses of France; the story of the noblest French chateaux. London: Country Life. p. 127.
The first Count of Les Baux, whose name alone we know, was Leibulf, whose son Pons, or Poncius, owned large lands in Argence Old Provence
- ^ Grew 1947, p. 16.
Bibliography
edit- Grew, Marion Ethel (1947). The House of Orange. London: Methuen & Co. Ltd.
Sources for the Vicomtes de Marseille
edit- Édouard Baratier, Ernest Hildesheimer et Georges Duby, Atlas historique...
- and the table of Henry de Gérin-Ricard, Actes concernant les vicomtes de Marseille et leurs descendants...
Genealogy works
edit- Georges de Manteyer, La Provence du premier au douzième siècle, études d'histoire et de géographie... (1908),
- Juigné de Lassigny, Généalogie des vicomtes de Marseille...,
- Fernand Cortez, Les grands officiers royaux de Provence au moyen-âge listes chronologiques...,
- Papon, de Louis Moréri, du marquis de Forbin, Monographie de la terre et du château de Saint-Marcel, près Marseille: du Xe au XIXe siècle... ("Monograph of the land and the castle of Saint-Marcel, near Marseille, from the tenth to the nineteenth century ..."), Marseille, 1888
- J. Berge, Origines rectifiées des maisons féodales Comtes de Provence, Princes d'Orange ..., France-Riviera, 1952
- Poly, Jean-Pierre, La Provence et la société féodale (879–1166), Paris: Bordas, 1976,
- Jacques Saillot, Le Sang de Charlemagne...
Sources: Simplified family tree section
edit- Grew 1947
- Rowen, Herbert H. (1988). The princes of Orange: the stadholders in the Dutch Republic. Cambridge University Press.
- de Pontbriant, A. (1891). Histoire de la principaute d'Orange: suivre de lettres inedites des princes d'Orange, des rois de France, du Cte de Grignan, etc. Avignon: Seguin freres.
- Schwennicke, Detlev (1989). Europäiche Stammtafeln, Stammtafeln der Europäichen Staaten, Neue Folge, Volume III, Part 4, Das feudale Frankreich und sein Einfluß auf die Welt des Mittelalters. Marburg: Verlag J.A. Stargardt. pp. 745, 748, 751, & 752.
Genealogy works
edit- Gioacchino del Balzo di Presenzano, http://www.delbalzo.net/genealogia2.htm GENEALOGY Maison del Balzo/des Baux extensive bibliography
- G.Noblemaire, Histoire de la Maison des Baux, Parigi: 1912 and 1975
- J.Dunbabin, Charles I of Anjou, London/New York: 1998
- E.Leonard,Les Angevins de Naples, Paris: 1954
- Almanach of Gotha, 1888-1943
- F. Mazel,La Noblesse et l’Eglise en ProvenceFin X – debut XIV siecle, L’Exemple des familles d’Agoult-Simiane, des Baux et de Marseilles, CTHS – Paris: 2002
- H.Aliquot et R.Merceron,Armorial d’Avignon et Du Comtat Venaissin, Avignon:1987
- Cambridge Medieval History, Volumes I – IX, Cambridge: 1911
- Cambridge Medieval History, Vol II, III, IV, Revised Edition 1996 -2003
- Cambridge Modern History, Volumes I-XII, Cambridge: 1962-63