Alix de France, Comtesse de Vexin

Adèle de France (1160-1221)

[Medlands]

  ALIX [Adelaide] de France ([4 Oct] 1160-after Jan 1213).  Robert of Torigny records the death in 1160 of "Constantia regina Franciæ" while giving birth to a daughter[425].  The Chronicle of Ralph of Coggeshall records that King Louis VII had "aliam filiam de Constantia…Adelaidis", her mother dying while giving birth to her[426].  The Historia Gloriosi Regis Ludovici VII records that the king had "unam filiam de Constantia regina…Adelaidis", stating that her mother died in giving birth[427].  The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines names "reginam Margaretam Anglie et comitissam Aaliz" as childen of King Louis VII & his second wife, specifying that Alix married "Guilelmus comes de Pontivo"[428].  The De Rebus Hispaniæ of Rodericus Ximenes names "Adelodis" as the daughter of "Ludovico Regi Francorum" and his wife "Elisabeth" (error for Constantia), specifying that she married "Comitis de Pontivo"[429].  There is some confusion between this daughter and King Louis VII's supposed daughter Alix by his third wife (see below).  Roger of Hoveden records that the betrothal of King Louis's daughter to Richard of England was first proposed in 1161, when Richard's older brother Henry was betrothed to her sister Marguerite[430].  Chronologically, this can only refer to the king's daughter by his second marriage.  This appears to be confirmed by the Chronicle of Gervase which records the betrothal in 1169 of "Ricardus…filius regis Anglæ" and "filiam regis Franciæ quam habuit de filia regis Hispanorum"[431].  Ctss de Bourges 1174, as her dowry.  Benedict of Peterborough records the betrothal "XI Kal Oct 1177" of "rex Anglie…Ricardus comes Pictaviæ filius eius" and "regi Franciæ…filiam" as part of the peace agreement between the two kings[432].  It is assumed that this refers to the same daughter, although the primary source which confirms this beyond doubt has not yet been identified.  If this is correct, she was presumably the same daughter who later married the Comte de Ponthieu.  Until further information comes to light, it is assumed that Alix/Adelaide who was betrothed to Richard, and who later married the Comte de Ponthieu, was the daughter who was born in 1160, and that King Louis had no daughter of this name by his third marriage.  Alix was brought up in England after her betrothal.  Benedict of Peterborough records that the betrothal of "Alesia soror eius [Philippi regis Franciæ]" and Richard was renewed in 1189, commenting that the king of England "in custodia habet"[433].  Richard refused the marriage after his accession to the throne.  Kerrebrouck states that King Richard arranged her betrothal to his younger brother John in early 1193[434], but the primary source which confirms this has not yet been identified.  She returned to France in Aug 1195.  Ctss d'Eu, Dame d’Arques in 1195, as her dowry for her marriage.  "Willelmus comes Pontivi" granted rights to the commune of Marquienneterre, with the consent of "uxoris mee Aalidis filie Ludovici regis Francie", by charter dated 1199[435].  "Willelmus comes Pontivi et Monstreoli" donated property to the church of Saint Giosse, with the consent of "Marie filie mee et Aelis uxoris mee", by charter dated 1205[436].  "Willelmus comes Pontivi et Monstreoli…et Aalais uxor mea comitissa Pontivi et Maria filia mea" granted concessions by charter dated 1207[437].  "Willelmus comes Pontivi et Monstreoli" granted rights to one of his vassals, with the consent of "Aalis, uxoris mee Ludovici regis filie et Marie filie mee", by charter dated Aug 1208[438].  "Willelmus comes Pontivi et Monstreoli" granted rights to the commune of Maioc, with the consent of "Aalis, uxoris mee et Symonis de Bolonia, generis mei, et Marie filie mee, uxoris eius", by charter dated 1209[439].  "Willelmus comes Pontivi et Monstreoli" granted rights to the nuns of Moreaucourt, for his soul and that of "Aelidis, uxoris mee, filie Ludovici regis Francie", by charter dated Dec 1209[440].  "Willaume comte de Pontieu et de Montreuil" agreed a concession made by one of his vassals, with the consent of "Aalis sa femme et de Marie leur fille" by charter dated Nov 1211[441].  A charter dated Jan 1213 (New Style) confirms a grant of rights to the church of Sainte-Marie at Clairvaux by "Willelmus…Pontivi et Monstreoli comes et Aalis, uxor eius, filia pii regis Ludovici" agreed a concession made by one of his vassals, with the consent of "Aalis sa femme et de Marie leur fille"[442].  Betrothed (by peace treaty 30 Sep 1174, betrothed 21 Sep 1177) to RICHARD of England, son of HENRY II King of England & Eléonore Dss d'Aquitaine (Beaumont Palace, Oxford 8 Sep 1157-Chalus 6 Apr 1199, bur Fontevrault Abbey).  He succeeded his father in 1189 as RICHARD I " Cœur-de-lion " King of England.  Betrothed (early 1193) to JOHN of England, son of HENRY II King of England & his wife Eléonore Dss d'Aquitaine (Beaumont Palace, Oxford 24 Dec 1166 or 1167-Newark Castle, Lincolnshire 18/19 Oct 1216, bur Worcester Cathedral).  This betrothal appears to have taken place despite the fact that John was already married to his first wife at the time.  He succeeded his brother in 1199 as JOHN King of England.  m (contract Mantes, Yvelines 20 Aug 1195) GUILLAUME II “Talvas” Comte de Ponthieu et de Montreuil, son of JEAN I Comte de Ponthieu & his third wife Béatrice de Saint-Pol (after 1178-6 Oct 1221, bur Abbaye de Valloires, Somme).  

Un article de Wikipédia, l'encyclopédie libre.

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad%C3%A8le_de_France_%281160-1221%29

Alys, Countess of the Vexin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alys,_Countess_of_the_Vexin

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Alys, Countess of the Vexin (4 October 1160 – c. 1220) was the daughter of King Louis VII of France and his second wife Constance of Castile.[1] She is also known as Alaïs, Adélaïde, Adèle, Alais, or Alix, but is not to be confused with her half-sister Alix of France, the daughter of Louis by his first wife Eleanor of Aquitaine.

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Adèle de France (ou Alix de France) (4 octobre 1160 - 1221) est la fille du roi Louis VII de France (v. 1120 - 1180) et de sa deuxième épouse Constance de Castille (v. 1136-1160), qui meurt le lendemain de la naissance de sa fille.

En 1169, par le paix de Montmirail, elle est fiancée à Richard Cœur de Lion, fils d'Henri II Plantagenêt. Celui-ci la fit venir en Angleterre, pour prendre possession des terres constituant sa dot (comté d'Aumale et comté d'Eu), mais, dès qu'elle fut nubile, il abusa d'elle, en fit sa maîtresse et retarda le mariage.

Par la paix d'Ivry, le 21 septembre 1174, le roi Henri II renouvela à Louis VII, la promesse du mariage entre Alix et son fils Richard, mais il ne s'y tint pas, et en 1177, le pape Alexandre III intervint pour le sommer, sous peine d'excommunication, de procéder au mariage convenu. Le Berry devait être sa dot. Il renouvela sa promesse en décembre 1183 et au carême 1186, mais ne tint toujours pas ses promesses. Entre temps Alix avait donné la vie à un fils.

Après la mort du roi Henri II Plantagenêt, le 6 juillet 1189, son fils et successeur, Richard Cœur de Lion, fit venir Alix à Rouen en février 1190, mais en 1191, il avertit le roi de France Philippe-Auguste qu'il ne saurait prendre sa sœur comme femme à cause du déshonneur dont on l'accusait.

Après avoir tenté de la donner pour femme à Jean sans Terre, frère de Richard Cœur de Lion, le roi Philippe-Auguste la maria le 20 août 1195 à Guillaume II Talvas (1178-1221), comte de Ponthieu. Elle apporta dans sa dot le comté d'Eu, le comté d'Arques et un prêt de 5000 marcs.

Elle eut avec lui trois enfants :

1. Jean II de Ponthieu, mort jeune,
2. Marie de Ponthieu (? - 1250 ou 1251), qui épousa Simon de Dammartin, comte d'Aumale et de Dammartin (? - 1239), et hérita du comté de Ponthieu. En deuxième mariage, elle épousa Mathieu de Montmorency (? - 1250).
3. Isabelle de Ponthieu, abbesse d'Épagne.

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Alys was the half-sister of Marie de Champagne and Alix of France, Louis's children by Eleanor of Aquitaine, and the younger sister of Marguerite of France. Just five weeks after Constance died giving birth to Alys, Louis married Adèle of Champagne; the couple had two children, Philip and Agnes.

In January 1169, Louis and Henry II of England signed a contract for the marriage between Alys and Henry's son Richard. The 8 year-old Alys was then sent to England as Henry's ward.

In 1177, Cardinal Peter of Saint Chrysogonus, on behalf of Pope Alexander III, threatened to place England's continental possessions under an interdict if Henry did not proceed with the marriage. There were widespread rumors that Henry had not only made Alys his mistress, but that she had borne him a child. Henry died in 1189. Richard married Berengaria of Navarre on 12 May 1191 while still officially engaged to Alys.

Philip had offered Alys to Prince John, but Eleanor prevented the match.[citation needed] Alys married William III Talvas, Count of Ponthieu, on 20 August 1195, and had three daughters: Jean (stillborn), Marie, Countess of Ponthieu, and Isabelle.

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Alys was a younger half-sister to Marie and Alix and a younger full sister to Marguerite. Alys's mother died in giving birth to her. Desperate for a male heir, Louis married Adèle of Champagne just five weeks after Constance's death. Five years later came the birth of Alys's half-brother Philip, eventually King of France, and six years later still the birth of Alys's youngest half-sister Agnes, Empress consort of the Byzantine Empire.

In January 1169, an agreement was reached by her father and King Henry II of England that Alys should be betrothed to Henry's son Richard. She was thereupon sent to the Kingdom of England. Her prospective father-in-law, Henry II, kept her at his court for many years.

By 1177, this had become a scandal and a source of friction between England and France. In that year Cardinal Peter of St Chrysogonus, on behalf of Pope Alexander III, threatened to place England's continental possessions under an interdict if Henry did not proceed with Alys's marriage to his son. Henry eventually pacified Louis VII while still avoiding the central issue: Alys remained with Henry, unmarried. There were widespread rumours that he had made her his mistress and that she had a child by him. It was said of Alys that "except for her looks, the tales were none too good", as she was considered promiscuous throughout her life.

When King Henry died on July 6, 1189, her long-time fiancé, Richard, succeeded to the throne but terminated their engagement in Messina in March 1191, on the grounds that she had borne a child by his father. She was sent back to France in 1195.

Her brother, King Philip II of France, had offered her to Richard's younger brother Prince John in 1192, but Queen Mother Eleanor of Aquitaine put a stop to that. Instead Alys was married on August 20, 1195 to William III Talvas, Count of Ponthieu, and they had three daughters: Jean (born dead), Marie, Countess of Ponthieu, and Isabelle. Alys was still alive on July 28, 1218; the date of her death is unknown.

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Alys, Countess of the Vexin (4 October 1160 – c. 1220) was the daughter of King Louis VII of France and his second wife Constance of Castile.[1] She is also known as Alaïs, Adélaïde, Adèle, Alais, or Alix, but is not to be confused with her half-sister Alix of France, the daughter of Louis by his first wife Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Contents [hide]

1 Early life

2 Relationships with royalty

3 Portrayals in fiction

4 References

5 Sources

[edit] Early life

Alys was a younger half-sister to Marie and Alix and a younger full sister to Marguerite. Alys's mother died in giving birth to her. Desperate for a male heir, Louis married Adèle of Champagne just five weeks after Constance's death. Five years later came the birth of Alys's half-brother Philip, eventually King of France, and six years later still the birth of Alys's youngest half-sister Agnes, Empress consort of the Byzantine Empire.

[edit] Relationships with royalty

In January 1169, an agreement was reached by her father and King Henry II of England that Alys should be betrothed to Henry's son Richard.[2] She was thereupon sent to the Kingdom of England. Her prospective father-in-law, Henry II, kept her at his court for many years.

By 1177, this had become a scandal and a source of friction between England and France. In that year Cardinal Peter of St Chrysogonus, on behalf of Pope Alexander III, threatened to place England's continental possessions under an interdict if Henry did not proceed with Alys's marriage to his son. Henry eventually pacified Louis VII while still avoiding the central issue: Alys remained with Henry, unmarried.[3] There were widespread rumours that he had made her his mistress and that she had a child by him. It was said of Alys that "except for her looks, the tales were none too good", as she was considered promiscuous throughout her life.

When King Henry died on 6 July 1189, her long-time fiancé, Richard, succeeded to the throne but terminated their engagement in Messina in March 1191, on the grounds that she had borne a child by his father. She was sent back to France in 1195.

Her brother, King Philip II of France, had offered her to Richard's younger brother Prince John in 1192, but Queen Mother Eleanor of Aquitaine put a stop to that. Instead Alys was married on 20 August 1195 to William III Talvas, Count of Ponthieu, and they had three daughters: Jean (born dead), Marie, Countess of Ponthieu, and Isabelle. Alys was still alive on 28 July 1218; the date of her death is unknown.

[edit] Portrayals in fiction

As Alasia of France, she appears in Eleanor Anne Porden's 1822 epic poem Cœur de Lion. Porden depicts her being shipwrecked on the Third Crusade, and joining the army of Saladin to avenge herself on Richard for his rejection of her. She fights as a female knight, re-named 'Zorayda'. However, she is mortally wounded in a fight with the young knight Pardo, a foundling whom Richard has raised. As she is dying, she reveals that she is his mother, and Henry II, who had seduced her in girlhood, was his father.

Alys has appeared in a number of historical novels. She has a minor role in Sharon Kay Penman's novel, Time and Chance. American author/poet Judith Koll Healey published the historical novel The Canterbury Papers (The Lost Letters of Aquitaine outside the US) in 2004. It depicts Alaïs later in life, after her return to France, and sends her on a mission to England to retrieve some letters from Canterbury Cathedral for Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Alys is a major character in James Goldman's play The Lion in Winter, in which she is depicted as Henry II's lover. She was played by Jane Merrow in the 1968 film adaptation, for which she was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture, and by Yuliya Vysotskaya in the 2003 TV adaptation.

She was also played by Katherine DeMille, adopted daughter of Cecil B. DeMille, in his 1935 film, The Crusades, by Susan Shaw in the British children's TV series Richard the Lionheart (1962), and by Lorna Charles (aged 13) and Lucy Gutteridge (as an older teenager and adult) in the BBC TV drama series The Devil's Crown (1978).

[edit] References

^ Some genealogical sources and websites, relying on P. Anselme, Histoire généalogique et chronologique de la maison royale de France, 1725 (vol. 1 p. 77), state that Alys was born in 1170. This is impossible, not only because she was betrothed in January 1169, but because she must have been of marriageable age in 1177, when the Pope demanded that she be married immediately.

^ Robert of Torigny, Chronicle in Chronicles of the reigns of Stephen, Henry II, and Richard I, ed. Richard Howlett, vol. 4 p. 240; John of Salisbury, Letters (ed. W. J. Millor, H. E. Butler) vol. 2 pp. 648-9.

^ Roger of Howden, Annals 1177.

[edit] Sources

Churchill, Winston. A History of the English Speaking People.

Poole, A.L. Domesday Book to Magna Carta.

Ralph of Diceto

Roger of Hovedon

Benedict of Peterborough

Gerald of Wales

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alys,_Countess_of_the_Vexin"

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From http://www.rpi.edu/~holmes/Hobbies/Genealogy/ps03/ps03_417.htm

Weis' "Ancestral Roots. . ." (111:28). Count of Provence

Stuart's "Royalty For Commoners" (54:27).

Also referred to as Count of Forcalquier.

References: [GENSERV],[AR7]

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Alys was a younger half-sister to Marie and Alix and a younger full sister to Marguerite. Alys's mother died in giving birth to her. Desperate for a male heir, Louis married Adèle of Champagne just five weeks after Constance's death. Five years later came the birth of Alys's half-brother Philip, eventually King of France, and six years later still the birth of Alys's youngest half-sister Agnes, Empress consort of the Byzantine Empire.

In January 1169, an agreement was reached by her father and King Henry II of England that Alys should be betrothed to Henry's son Richard. She was thereupon sent to the Kingdom of England. Her prospective father-in-law, Henry II, kept her at his court for many years.

By 1177, this had become a scandal and a source of friction between England and France. In that year Cardinal Peter of St Chrysogonus, on behalf of Pope Alexander III, threatened to place England's continental possessions under an interdict if Henry did not proceed with Alys's marriage to his son. Henry eventually pacified Louis VII while still avoiding the central issue: Alys remained with Henry, unmarried. There were widespread rumours that he had made her his mistress and that she had a child by him. It was said of Alys that "except for her looks, the tales were none too good", as she was considered promiscuous throughout her life.

When King Henry died on July 6, 1189, her long-time fiancé, Richard, succeeded to the throne but terminated their engagement in Messina in March 1191, on the grounds that she had borne a child by his father. She was sent back to France in 1195.

Her brother, King Philip II of France, had offered her to Richard's younger brother Prince John in 1192, but Queen Mother Eleanor of Aquitaine put a stop to that. Instead Alys was married on August 20, 1195 to William III Talvas, Count of Ponthieu, and they had three daughters: Jean (born dead), Marie, Countess of Ponthieu, and Isabelle. Alys was still alive on July 28, 1218; the date of her death is unknown.

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Source: The book, 'Richard the Lion-Hearted', by John Gillingham.

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Alys of France, Countess of the Vexin (4 October 1160 – c. 1220) was the daughter of King Louis VII of France and his second wife Constance of Castile. Alys was the half-sister of Marie de Champagne and Alix of France, Louis's children by Eleanor of Aquitaine, and the younger sister of Marguerite of France. Just five weeks after Constance died giving birth to Alys, Louis married Adèle of Champagne, by whom he had two further children, including the future Philip II of France. In January 1169, Louis and Henry II of England signed a contract for the marriage between Alys and Henry's son Richard. The 8 year-old Alys was then sent to England as Henry's ward. In 1177, Cardinal Peter of Saint Chrysogonus, on behalf of Pope Alexander III, threatened to place England's continental possessions under an interdict if Henry did not proceed with the marriage. There were widespread rumors that Henry had not only made Alys his mistress, but that she had borne him a child. Henry died in 1189. Richard married Berengaria of Navarre on 12 May 1191, while still officially engaged to Alys. Philip had offered Alys to Prince John, but Eleanor prevented the match. Alys married William IV Talvas, Count of Ponthieu, on 20 August 1195, and had three daughters: Jean (stillborn), Marie, Countess of Ponthieu, and Isabelle. Marie was the grandmother of Eleanor of Castile, queen of Edward I of England and so ultimately Alys became ancestor of the English royal family.