House of Laval

For other uses, see Laval.
The coat of arms of the Laval; their motto was Eadem mensura (of same measure)
The coat of arms used by Counts of Laval[1]
The Laval Castle
The Château de Vitré, in Brittany
The Renaissance aisle of the château de Châteaubriant

The House of Laval is a family of barons, later counts, coming from the town of Laval, located in Northwestern France, part of the province of Maine before the French Revolution. The Laval were one of the most powerful families of Maine during the Middle Ages and also had a presence in Brittany, where their prestige was similar to that of the Rohan. The House of Laval played a significant role in Breton history and during the Hundred Years War and the French Wars of Religion. They also favored the French Renaissance in Northwestern France, building several châteaux. The last male heir died during the 17th century, and his possessions went to the House of La Trémoille.

François de Laval was the first Roman Catholic bishop of Quebec; the city of Laval, Quebec, and the Université Laval were named after him.

  1. ^ Walsby 2007, p. 36.