Draft:Lordship of Parthenay

See also: Parthenay

Lordship of Parthenay Seigneurie de Parthenay
11th century - 1574
Coat of arms
Capital	Parthenay, France
Demonym(s)	French
Government	Lordship
Lord of Parthenay
Vassal  of the Kingdom of France
History
• Lordship Established	11th century
• Armorial de l'Ost de Flandre	1297
• Elevated to Barony	14th century
• Incorporation into the House of Montfort	1427
• Acquisition by Valois-Orléans-Dunois	1458
• Purchased by Charles de La Porte	1641
• Revival and Abolishment	1777 and 1790
Today part of	France

The Lordship of Parthenay was a small French feudal lordship situated on the commune of Parthenay. It is thought to have been established in the 11th century by the Parthenay family. The lordship was located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France in the Deux-Sèvres department. Neighboring towns under the control of the lordship were Secondigny, Germond-Rouvre, and Champdeniers. The lordship was a symbol of the family's power and influence in the Poitou region, also doubling as a strategic military point, seeing many conflicts and wars in its existence.

History

Map of the Treaty of Brétigny

Early History and the House of Parthenay-Larchevêque

The first known lord of Parthenay was Joscelin I of Parthenay (10th century - 1018), who had unknown parents. However, the exact date of the establishment of the lordship is unknown. The Parthenay family remained loyal due to their position as French nobles in their early history. The lordship was under the house of Parthenay-Larchevêque, from which the earlier lords of Parthenay would come from.

On June 16th, 1297, the French army would invade the Flemish countryside, in response to Guy, Count of Flanders, revoking his previous allegiance to the French crown in January of the same year. Guillaume VI Larchevêque or Huges de Parthenay would participate in the invasion as a knight under the French army.

In the mid 14th century, the lordship was elevated to a barony. The change in name signified a growing increase in the Parthenay family's power and wealth. Parthenay would remain a barony for the remainder of its existence.

Role in the Hundred Years' War

Edwardian Phase and occupation

During the Edwardian Phase of the Hundred Years' War, the barony fought on the side of Philip VI of France due to a succession crisis. There is little evidence of the Parthenay family participating in the war, however it is not unlikely. After the Battle of Poitiers, the Treaty of Brétigny was signed in 1360. Parthenay and its territories were under English suzerainty.

John of Gaunt and liberation

In 1373, John of Gaunt led a campaign against France. It would lead to a disastrous defeat for England as Jean de Berry and Louis I of Anjou laid siege to Montreuil-Bonin in March. They then head to Chizé, where they engage with Jean d'Évreux in the same month. Jean is then defeated and Parthenay is liberated from English occupation by mid 1373. By 1384, Parthenay would be reincorporated into France.

Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War and the Lancastrian Phase

By 1407, two cadet branches of the French dynasty would implode into a civil war. 8 years later, the Lancastrian Phase of the Hundred Years' war would commence in 1415. The Siege of Arras in the summer of 1414, a confrontation between Burgundy and England versus France. John the Fearless would lay siege to the town, and would be victorious. In September, the Peace of Arras (1414) would be signed. Angered, Guy II de Parthenay-l'Archevêque, would be convicted of assisting the Burgundian State in the siege.

House of Montfort

Map of France in 1477 with the Lordship of Parthenay

In 1415, Arthur III, also known as Arthur de Richemont, who was the soon-to-be duke of Brittany, would acquire the land under Guy II de Parthenay-l'Archevêque. Arthur was forced to invade Parthenay with his army in June of 1415. Official ownership over the barony would be not be proclaimed until 1427 due to Arthur being held captive In England. The population of the city were not fond of the sudden change in leadership, especially because it was a foreign house. They then responded promptly with the building of fortifications in their city.

House of Valois-Orléans-Dunois

When Arthur III died in 1458, Jean de Dunois, known as the Bastard of Orléans, inherited the barony of Parthenay by marrying Marie de Parthenay, effectively constituting the Lordship of Parthenay to the house of Valois-Orléans-Dunois. The barony would remain under them until 1574.

French Wars of Religion and Decline

Map of Calvinism in France in the years leading up to the French Wars of Religion

Near the start of the French Wars of Religion, the barony of Parthenay was situated in a Huguenot majority area in Poitou. The war greatly shifted the power dynamic in France, as it led to the decline of feudalism in France.

The decline mainly started to take place in 1574, with there being no legitimate male heirs to the Parthenay family since Arthur III established power in 1427. The lord and baron titles' integrity had been destroyed.

Acquisition by Charles de La Porte

In 1641, Charles de La Porte, 1st Duke of La Meilleraye had purchased the barony from Henry II of Orleans, who was a member of the House of Orléans. Orléans was struggling financially due to the decline of the feudal system, causing them to sell the barony to Charles.

Charles de La Porte, Duke of La Meilleraye

Revival and dissolution

Many previous feudal territories were being revived in the 18th century. Parthenay was resurrected on July 5th, 1777 when the Grimaldi Honoré IV, Prince of Monaco married Louise d’Aumont. The new barony would last until the French Revolution in 1789, where the barony was officially and permanently abolished in 1790.

The French Revolution would mark the end of the feudal system in France, being replaced with departments in 1790. The new system was established to promote centralization and the national identity of France.