List of Counts of Meulan
Encyclopedia
The county of Meulan, in Normandy
, France, appeared as an entity within the region of the Vexin
when the otherwise unknown Count Waleran established an independent power base on a fortified island in the River Seine, around the year 1020. Waleran's origins are subject to several genealogical myths, not least that he had predecessors in his office.
Waleran was active in the politics of his day, but the extent of the county at that date is unknown. Both he and his son Count Hugh maintained an independence from the Capetian king at Paris by a judicious if dangerous alliance with the dukes of Normandy
downstream. This led to the marriage of Adeline, Count Hugh's daughter, to the Norman magnate, Roger de Beaumont
.
On Count Hugh's death in 1081 his nephew, Robert de Beaumont, acquired the county. In his time it is clear that the settlement of Meulan had thrown out a suburb (called Locenis) on to the right bank of the Seine
north of the fortified island. After 1109 and the sacking of the town by Louis VI of France
, Count Robert built a new castle on the bluffs of Locenis. The original island settlement was dominated now by a fortified bridge, at which river tolls were collected, and the church of St Nicaise, refounded by the count as a priory of the Norman abbey of Bec-Hellouin. Count Robert founded a collegiate church of St Nicholas in his new castle.
The geographical extent of the county associated with the castle and town of Meulan becomes evident in the time of Robert I (1081–1118) and Waleran de Beaumont (1118–1166). The county then ran west along the right bank of the Seine as far as the lordship of La Roche Guyon, and included the priory of St-Martin-la-Garenne, of which Robert I was a patron. To the south of the town, the count controlled the riparine lands of the Méresais. The count had the allegiance of two powerful viscounties. The viscount of Meulan, with his own castle at Mézy-sur-Seine, was the chief tenant of the county. But the count also controlled the viscount of Mantes, and river traffic at its bridge too, although the town and the associated Mantois was in fact mostly Capetian demesne. Somehow the detached lordship of Neauphle-le-Château north of Versailles in the Yvelines was also a dependency of the county. The count also held in fee of the bishop of Paris the substantial Parisian suburb of La Grève.
The county was a vital strategic possession between the power of Normandy and Paris, and successive counts exploited their bargaining position. The counts' position was also a dangerous one. As vassals alike of the duke of Normandy and king of France, they were very exposed when the two rulers went to war. The dual allegiance of the counts led to several episodes of confiscation of their Norman lands. It was this division of loyalty that in the end led to the suppression of the county, when King Philip Augustus dispossessed Count Robert II in 1203 during his campaigns against Normandy. Robert died an exile, and his line was not allowed to succeed to the county.
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, France, appeared as an entity within the region of the Vexin
Vexin
The Vexin is a historical county of northwestern France. It covers a verdant plateau on the right bank of the Seine comprising an area east-to-west between Pontoise and Romilly-sur-Andelle , and north-to-south between Auneuil and the Seine near Vernon...
when the otherwise unknown Count Waleran established an independent power base on a fortified island in the River Seine, around the year 1020. Waleran's origins are subject to several genealogical myths, not least that he had predecessors in his office.
Waleran was active in the politics of his day, but the extent of the county at that date is unknown. Both he and his son Count Hugh maintained an independence from the Capetian king at Paris by a judicious if dangerous alliance with the dukes of Normandy
Duke of Normandy
The Duke of Normandy is the title of the reigning monarch of the British Crown Dependancies of the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey. The title traces its roots to the Duchy of Normandy . Whether the reigning sovereign is a male or female, they are always titled as the "Duke of...
downstream. This led to the marriage of Adeline, Count Hugh's daughter, to the Norman magnate, Roger de Beaumont
Roger de Beaumont
Roger de Beaumont-le-Roger, Seigneur de Beaumont-le-Roger et de Pont-Audemer was son of Humphrey de Vielles and his wife Albreda de la Haye Auberie...
.
On Count Hugh's death in 1081 his nephew, Robert de Beaumont, acquired the county. In his time it is clear that the settlement of Meulan had thrown out a suburb (called Locenis) on to the right bank of the Seine
Seine
The Seine is a -long river and an important commercial waterway within the Paris Basin in the north of France. It rises at Saint-Seine near Dijon in northeastern France in the Langres plateau, flowing through Paris and into the English Channel at Le Havre . It is navigable by ocean-going vessels...
north of the fortified island. After 1109 and the sacking of the town by Louis VI of France
Louis VI of France
Louis VI , called the Fat , was King of France from 1108 until his death . Chronicles called him "roi de Saint-Denis".-Reign:...
, Count Robert built a new castle on the bluffs of Locenis. The original island settlement was dominated now by a fortified bridge, at which river tolls were collected, and the church of St Nicaise, refounded by the count as a priory of the Norman abbey of Bec-Hellouin. Count Robert founded a collegiate church of St Nicholas in his new castle.
The geographical extent of the county associated with the castle and town of Meulan becomes evident in the time of Robert I (1081–1118) and Waleran de Beaumont (1118–1166). The county then ran west along the right bank of the Seine as far as the lordship of La Roche Guyon, and included the priory of St-Martin-la-Garenne, of which Robert I was a patron. To the south of the town, the count controlled the riparine lands of the Méresais. The count had the allegiance of two powerful viscounties. The viscount of Meulan, with his own castle at Mézy-sur-Seine, was the chief tenant of the county. But the count also controlled the viscount of Mantes, and river traffic at its bridge too, although the town and the associated Mantois was in fact mostly Capetian demesne. Somehow the detached lordship of Neauphle-le-Château north of Versailles in the Yvelines was also a dependency of the county. The count also held in fee of the bishop of Paris the substantial Parisian suburb of La Grève.
The county was a vital strategic possession between the power of Normandy and Paris, and successive counts exploited their bargaining position. The counts' position was also a dangerous one. As vassals alike of the duke of Normandy and king of France, they were very exposed when the two rulers went to war. The dual allegiance of the counts led to several episodes of confiscation of their Norman lands. It was this division of loyalty that in the end led to the suppression of the county, when King Philip Augustus dispossessed Count Robert II in 1203 during his campaigns against Normandy. Robert died an exile, and his line was not allowed to succeed to the county.
List of Counts of Meulan
- Waleran I de Chartes, Count of Meulan
- Waleran II, Count of Meulan
- Hugh I, Count of Meulan
- Waleran III, Count of Meulan (ca. 990990Year 990 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Religion :* The Pax Ecclesiae, an edict by the church in southern France attempting to outlaw acts of war against non-combatants and the clergy, is promulgated.- Births :* Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor * Edmund II of England,...
–ca. 1069) - Hugh II, Count of Meulan (d.1081)
- Robert I de Beaumont, 1st Earl of LeicesterRobert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of LeicesterRobert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester, Count of Meulan was a powerful English and French nobleman, revered as one of the wisest men of his age...
, 1081–1118 - Waleran de Beaumont, Count of MeulanWaleran de Beaumont, 1st Earl of WorcesterWaleran de Beaumont, Count of Meulan, 1st Earl of Worcester , was the son of Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester and Elizabeth de Vermandois, and the twin brother of Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester...
, 1118–1166 - Robert II, Count of MeulanRobert de Beaumont, Count of MeulanRobert de Beaumont, Count of Meulan , was the son of Waleran IV de Beaumont and Agnes de Montfort.-Family and children:...
, 1166–1204
- Olivier le DaimOlivier le DaimOlivier le Daim [or le Dain] , favourite of Louis XI of France, was born of humble parentage at Tielt in Flanders.Seeking his fortune at Paris, he became court barber and valet to Louis XI, and so ingratiated himself with the king that in 1474 he was ennobled under the title Le Daim and in 1477...
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