Charles, Count of Valois

Charles
Effigy of Charles of Valois, Basilica of Saint-Denis
Count of Valois
Reign1284–1325
SuccessorPhilip the Fortunate
Count of Anjou
Reign1290–1325
PredecessorCharles II of Naples
SuccessorPhilip VI of France
Co-rulerMargaret (1290–1299)
Latin Emperor of Constantinople
Reign1301–1307
PredecessorCatherine I (as sole ruler)
SuccessorCatherine II
Co-rulerCatherine I
Born12 March 1270
Died16 December 1325(1325-12-16) (aged 55)
Nogent-le-Roi
Burial
Spouses
(m. 1290; died 1299)
(m. 1301; died 1307)
(m. 1308)
Issue
Among others...
HouseHouse of Capet
House of Valois (founder)
FatherPhilip III of France
MotherIsabella of Aragon

Charles of Valois (12 March 1270 – 16 December 1325), the fourth son of King Philip III of France and Isabella of Aragon,[1] was a member of the House of Capet and founder of the House of Valois, which ruled over France from 1328.

Charles ruled several principalities. He held in appanage the counties of Valois, Alençon (1285), and Perche. Through his marriage to his first wife, Margaret, Countess of Anjou and Maine, he became Count of Anjou and Maine.[2] Through his marriage to his second wife, Catherine I, Latin Empress of Constantinople, he was titular Latin Emperor of Constantinople from 1301 to 1307, although he ruled from exile and only had authority over Crusader States in Greece.

As the grandson of King Louis IX of France, Charles of Valois was a son, brother, brother-in-law and son-in-law of kings or queens (of France, Navarre, England and Naples). His descendants, the House of Valois, would become the royal house of France three years after his death, beginning with his eldest son King Philip VI of France.

  1. ^ Small 2004, p. 214.
  2. ^ Taylor 2006, p. 55.