Constance of Arles

Other Events and Attributes:

• General Information: She was also known as Constance of Provence, and Constance of Toulouse.
• Miscellaneous: 998; Constance was married in 998 to King Robert, after his divorce from his second wife, Bertha of Burgundy. The marriage was stormy; Bertha's family opposed her, and Constance was despised for importing her Provençal kinfolk and customs. Robert's friend, Hugh of Beauvais, count palatine, tried to convince the king to repudiate her in 1007. Possibly at her request 12 knights of her kinsman Fulk Nerra then murdered Beauvais in 1008.
• Travel: 1010; Robert went to Rome in 1010, followed by his former wife Bertha, to seek permission to divorce Constance and remarry Bertha. Pope Sergius IV was not about to allow a consanguineous marriage which had been formally condemned by Pope Gregory V and Robert had already repudiated two wives. So the request was denied. After his return according to one source Robert "loved his wife more."
• Miscellaneous: 1017; At Constance's urging, her eldest son Hugh Magnus was crowned co-king alongside his father in 1017. But later Hugh demanded his parents share power with him, and rebelled against his father in 1025. Constance, however, on learning of her son's rebellion was furious with him, rebuking him at every turn. At some point Hugh was reconciled with his parents but shortly thereafter died, probably about age eighteen. The royal couple was devastated; there was concern for the queen’s mental health due to the violence of her grief.
• Legal: 1022; In 1022, a trial accused clergy members of heresy--Constance's previous confessor Stephen included, Robert had his wife Queen Constance stand at the door to prevent any mob violence. However, as the condemned clerics left the trial the queen "struck out the eye of Stephen... with the staff which she carried". This was seen as Constance venting her frustration at anyone subverting the prestige of the crown.
• Miscellaneous: 1027; Robert and Constance quarreled over which of their surviving sons should inherit the throne; Robert favored their second son Henry, while Constance favored their third son, Robert. Despite his mother's protests and her support by several bishops, Henry was crowned in 1027. Constance, however, was not graceful when she didn't get her way. The ailing Fulbert, bishop of Chartres told a colleague that he could attend the ceremony "if he traveled slowly to Reims—but he was too frightened of the queen to go at all".
• Miscellaneous: say 1028; Constance encouraged her sons to rebel, and they began attacking and pillaging the towns and castles belonging to their father. Son Robert attacked Burgundy, the duchy he had been promised but had never received, and Henry seized Dreux. At last King Robert agreed to their demands and peace was made which lasted until the king's death.
• Miscellaneous: 1031; King Robert died on 20 July 1031. Soon afterwards Constance fell ill; she was at also at odds with both her surviving sons. Constance seized her dower lands and refused to surrender them. Henry fled to Normandy, where he received aid, weapons and soldiers from his brother Robert. He returned to besiege his mother at Poissy but Constance escaped to Pontoise. She only surrendered when Henry began the siege of Le Puiset and swore to slaughter all the inhabitants.
• Last Full Review: 5 Jun 2020

Notes:

Name:

Died:
Constance died after passing out following a coughing fit.

Constance married Robert II "the Pious", King of France in 998. Robert (son of Hugh Capet, King of France and Adelainde of Poitou) was born on 27 Mar 972 in Orléans, Loiret, Centre-Val de Loire, France; died on 20 Jul 1031 in Meulan-en-Yvelines, Yvelines, Île-de-France, France; was buried in Basilica of Saint-Denis, St. Denis, Île-de-France, France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Princess Adele of France was born about 1003 in France; died on 8 Jan 1078.
2. Hugh Magnus, King of France was born in 1007; died on 17 Sep 1025 in Compiègne, Oise, Hauts-de-France, France; was buried in Abbaye Saint-Corneille de Compiègne, Compiègne, Oise,Hauts-de-France, France.
3. Henry I, King of France was born in Apr 1008 in Burgundy, France; died on 4 Aug 1060 in Vitry-en-Brie (now Vitry-sur-Seine), Île-de-France, France; was buried in Basilica of Saint-Denis, St. Denis, Île-de-France, France.
4. Adelaide of France, Princess of France was born in 1009; died on 8 Jun 1078.
5. Robert III "the Old", Duke of Burgundy, Prince of France was born about 1011; died on 21 Mar 1076 in Fleury-sur-Ouche, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France; was buried in Semur-en-Auxois, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France.
6. Constance, Princess of France

Other Events and Attributes:

• Title(s): 979; In 979, he became the Marquis of Provence.
• Religion: say 990; In his later life, he became a monk.

William married Adelaide of Anjou after 981. Adelaide (daughter of Fulk II "the Good", Count d'Anjou and Gerberga of the Gatinais) was born about 942; died in 1026. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• General Information: She was also known as Blanche of Anjou.

Notes:

Birth:
Father: Fulk III "the Good". Count of Anjou

Boson married Constance of Provence. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Fulk married Gerberga of the Gatinais on Yes, date unknown. Gerberga (daughter of Geoffrey, Count in the Gâtinais, Viscount of Orleans) died after 952. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Rotbaude married daughter. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Charles married Teutberge de Troyes. Teutberge (daughter of Garnier, Viscount of Sens and Troyes and Teutberga of Arles) died after 960. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Title(s): 929; Fulk I was created the first real Count of Anjou in 929.

Fulk married Roscilla before 5 Jul 905. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Living: From 933 to 942
• Charter/Grant/Gift: 939

Notes:

Name:
He was also known as Geoffrey V of Orleans.

Charter/Grant/Gift:
He witnessed the charter of Hugh the Great of France.