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Duchess Constance of Brittany

circa 1161 - circa 5 September 1201

House: Penthièvre

Titles: Duchess of Brittany, Countess of Richmond

Constance, born around 1161, became Duchess of Brittany in 1166 after her father, Conan IV, was forced to abdicate by Henry II of England. She was betrothed to Geoffrey, Henry's fourth son, and spent her youth at the English court. Constance married Geoffrey in 1181, and after his death in 1186, she became the effective ruler of Brittany.

In 1188, Constance was married to Ranulf de Blondeville, but he was never acknowledged as Duke by the Bretons. Her son Arthur was proclaimed heir by Richard I in 1191, and she included him in the government of Brittany in 1196. Constance was imprisoned by Richard in 1196 but was released in 1198, after which she annulled her marriage to Ranulf and married Guy of Thouars in 1199.

Constance died at the age of 40 on 5 September 1201 in Nantes, likely from complications of childbirth, and was buried at Villeneuve Abbey. Her son Arthur succeeded her as the Duke of Brittany.

Notable events

  • 1166
    Constance became Duchess of Brittany after her father was forced to abdicate.
  • 1171
    Conan IV died, and Constance became Countess of Richmond.
  • 1181
    Constance married Geoffrey, fourth son of King Henry II of England.
  • 19 August 1186
    Geoffrey died in a riding accident, leaving Constance as the effective ruler of Brittany.
  • 3 February 1188
    Constance married Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester.
  • 1191
    Richard I proclaimed Arthur, Constance's son, as his heir in a treaty with Philip II of France.
  • 1196
    Constance included her son Arthur in the government of Brittany.
  • 1196
    Constance was abducted and imprisoned by Richard I.
  • 1198
    Constance was released from imprisonment and annulled her marriage to Ranulf.
  • September or October 1199
    Constance married Guy of Thouars.

Other details

Death: Died at age 40, likely from childbirth complications, and buried at Villeneuve Abbey.

Reign: 35 years

Children: 5 children: Eleanor, Arthur I, Alix, Catherine, unnamed twin daughter

Marriages: Geoffrey of England, Ranulph de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester, Guy of Thouars

Parents: Conan IV, Margaret of Huntingdon

Sources

ionicons-v5-r
Compiled from various 3rd hand sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constance,_Duchess_of_Brittany