Yolanda of Brittany ★

1210s–1230s

Born late in 1218 at Dreux, France, only daughter of Peter of Dreux and Alix, Duchess of Brittany. Betrothed as a child to Henry III of England, a match the French regent blocked. Married Hugh XI of Lusignan in January 1236, the year her father made her Countess of Penthièvre; they had seven children.

1250s–1270s

After Hugh was killed on crusade in 1250 she governed La Marche and Angoulême for their son Hugh XII until 1256. Died at the Château de Bouteville, Charente, on 10 October 1272.

Family Background

Yolande of Brittany was born in late 1218 at Dreux, France, only daughter of Peter of Dreux and Alix, Duchess of Brittany; her mother died before Yolande turned three. In 1236 her father granted her the titles of Countess of Penthèvre and several other lordships, which she held in her own right.

Failed Betrothals, Including to Henry III

Before October 19, 1226, when she was only seven, Yolande was betrothed to King Henry III of England, but Blanche of Castile, regent of France, blocked the match to prevent English influence in France, and Henry eventually married Eleanor of Provence instead. Two further betrothals — to John of France, Count of Anjou, who died in 1232 at just thirteen, and to Theobald IV, Count of Champagne — also came to nothing.

Marriage to Hugh XI of Lusignan

In January 1236 Yolande finally married Hugh XI of Lusignan, half-brother of Henry III through their shared mother; Hugh became Count of La Marche and Angoulême in 1249. The couple had seven children, including Hugh XII, Alice (who married Gilbert de Clare, 6th Earl of Gloucester), and another daughter also named Yolande.

Regency

After Hugh XI was killed at the Battle of Fariskûr in Egypt on April 6, 1250, Yolande governed La Marche and Angoulême as regent for their eldest son Hugh XII from 1250 to 1256.

Death

Yolande died October 10, 1272, at the Château de Bouteville in Charente, and was buried at Notre Dame Abbey in Villeneuve-lès-Nantes; her Breton titles passed to her brother John I, Duke of Brittany.