Raymond V (IV) BERENGER (1198-1245)

	Raimond-Berenger IV, church of Saint-Jean-de-Malte at Aix-en-Provence

Individual Events and Attributes

Marriage

	Beatrix of Savoy, Countess of Provence		Eleanor of Provence

Individual Note 1

Ramon Berenguer IV (1195 – 19 August 1245), Count of Provence and Forcalquier, was the son of Alfonso II of Provence and Garsenda of Sabran, heiress of Forcalquier. After his father's death (1209), Ramon was imprisoned in the castle of Monzón, in Aragon until he was able to escape in 1219 and claim his inheritance. He was a powerful and energetic ruler who added Forcalquier to his domain. Giovanni Villani in his Nuova Cronica had this to say about Raymond:

Count Raymond was a lord of gentle lineage, and kin to them of the house of Aragon, and to the family of the count of Toulouse, By inheritance Provence, this side of the Rhone, was his; a wise and courteous lord was he, and of noble state and virtuous, and in his time did honourable deeds, and to his court came all gentle persons of Provence and of France and of Catalonia, by reason of his courtesy and noble estate, and he made many Provençal coblas and canzoni of great worth.[1]

On 5 June 1219, Ramon married Beatrice of Savoy, daughter of Thomas I of Savoy. She was a shrewd and politically astute woman, whose beauty was likened by Matthew Paris to that of a second Niobe. Along with two stillborn sons (1220 & 1225), Ramon and Beatrice had four daughters, all of whom married kings.

Margaret of Provence (1221–1295), wife of Louis IX of France

Eleanor of Provence (1223–1291), wife of Henry III of England

Sanchia of Provence (1228–1261), wife of Richard of Cornwall, king of Germany

Beatrice of Provence (1234–1267), wife of Charles I of Sicily

Ramon Berenguer IV died in Aix-en-Provence. At least two planhs (Occitan funeral laments) of uncertain authorship (one possibly by Aimeric de Peguilhan and one falsely attributed to Rigaut de Berbezilh) were written in his honour.

NOTES:

1 Giovanni Villani, Rose E. Selfe, ed. (1906), "§90—Incident relating to the good Count Raymond of Provence.", Villani's Chronicle, Being Selections from the First Nine Books of the Croniche Fiorentine of Giovanni Villani (London: Archibald Constable & Co.), 196. The Provençal coblas and cansos referred to do not survive and Ramon Berenguer is not listed among the troubadours, though he was their patron.

SOURCES:

Howell, Margaret. Eleanor of Provence: Queenship in Thirteenth-Century England, 2001

FMG on Raymond Berenger de Provence, the fourth Count of Provence⁴

Individual Note 2

RAYMOND BERENGER de Provence, son of ALPHONSE II Comte de Provence [Aragon-Barcelona] & his wife Gersende de Sabran Ctss de Forcalquier ([1198]-Aix 19 Aug 1245, bur Aix-en-Provence, église de Saint Jean de Jérusalem). The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. He succeeded his father in 1209 as RAYMOND BERENGER IV Comte de Provence et de Forcalquier. Under his testament dated 20 Jun 1238, he designated his fourth daughter as his heir[424]. The testament of “R. Berengarius…comes et marchio Provincie et comes Forcalquerii”, dated 20 Jun 1238, names “Margaritam filiam nostrum…reginam Francie…Elionors filiam nostrum…reginam Anglie…Sanciam filiam nostram” and appoints “Beatricem filiam nostrum heredem generalem”[425]. The Annales Sancti Victoris Massilienses record the death "1245 XIV Kal Sep" of "Raimundus Berengarius comes Provincie" at Aix[426]. The Obituaire of Forcalquier St Mary records the death "XIV Kal Sep" of "Raymundus Berengarii…comes Provincie et Forcalquerii"[427]. The Thalamus de Montpellier records the death Aug 1244 of "R. Berenguier coms de Proensa" at Aix[428].

m (Betrothed 5 Jun 1219, Dec 1220) BEATRIX de Savoie, daughter of THOMAS I Comte de Savoie & his wife Marguerite [Beatrix] de Genčve ([1205][429]-Dec 1266 or 4 Jan 1267). Matthew of Paris names her as daughter of "comitis Sabaldić Thomć iam mortui, sororem comitis Sabaldić adhuc viventis Amidei", when he records the marriage of her daughter to Henry III King of England[430]. The contract of marriage between "Thomas…comes Sabaldie et marchio in Ytalia…filia sua" and "Raimundi Berengarii…comitis Provincić et Forcalquerii" is dated 5 Jun 1219, and names "A. et V. filii Thomć comitis et A. cometissa uxor eius" as guarantors[431]. She transformed the court at Aix into one of the most celebrated in Europe. After quarrelling with her son-in-law Charles Comte d'Anjou over the usufruct of the county of Provence she retired to Echelles in Savoy[432]. The marriage of her daughter Eléonore with Henry III King of England in 1236 signalled the establishment of close ties between the English court and the house of Savoy, the foreign immigrants becoming increasingly unpopular in England and contributing to the difficulties experienced by the king with his barons. The testament of "Beatricis relictć Raimundi Berengarii comitis Provincić", dated 14 Jan 1264, confirms her previous testaments appointing "Reginarum filiarum suarum Margarethć Francić et Alienorć Anglić, fratrum suorum Bonifacii archiepiscopi Cantuar. et Petri comitis Sabaudić" as her heirs, chooses burial "in hospitali Scalarum", and adds bequests to "Philippo electo Lugdun. fratri suo altero…Agneti comitissć Sabaudić dominić Fuciniaci, Cćcilić relictć Amedei Sabaudić comitis, Beatrici relictć Thomć de Sabaudia comitis...Contissoni…Eleonorć alić filić Thomć comitis…Contissoni dominć Medullionis nepti suć…Margarithć matri marchionis Montisferrati nepti suć, Rodulpho archiepiscopo Tarantas, A. episcopo de Dyone consanguineo testatricis, Petro episcopo Hereford…filiabus Rodolphi et Henrici de Gebennis, et filić domini de Camera" as well as numerous bequests to religious institutions, orders "Contissona filia Amedei comitis…Eleonorć filić Thomć fratris sui" to fulfil religious bequests, and appoints "Johannem archiepiscopum Viennensem et Rodulphum Tarantasiensem, Philippum electum Lugdun. fratrem suum, episcopum Gratianopolitanum, Humbertum abbatem Altacumbć et Stephanum archidiaconum Cantaruensium" as her executors[433]. A second testament of "Beatrix relicta…Dom. Reymundi Berengarii comitis provincić", dated 22 Feb 1264, chooses burial "in ecclesia Hospitalis S. Joannis Hierosolymitani", adds bequests to "Thomam Amedeum et Ludovicum filios quondam Dom. Thome fratris mei…Alienore filie predicti comitis Thome…filie Contissone de Medullione…filie domini de Camera…Beringarie filie Dom. Benedicti de Castellione…Beatrice Andegavie comitisse"[434]. The testament of "Bonifacius archiepiscopus Cantuarensis", dated 11 Oct 1264, made bequests to "sorori suć comitissć Provincić…sorori suć alterć comitissć de Quiborc…"[435]. A second necrology of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne records the death "II Non Jan" of "vidua dna comitssa Provincie"[436].

Comte Raymond Bérenger IV & his wife had five children:

MARGUERITE de Provence (St Maime near Forcalquier Spring 1221-Paris, Abbaye de St Marcel 21 Dec 1295, bur église de l'Abbaye royale de Saint-Denis). The Vincentii Bellovacensis Memoriale Omnium Temporum records the marriage in 1233 of King Louis IX and "comitis Provincie filiam…Margaretam"[437]. "R Berengarii…comes et marchio Provincie et comes Folcalquerii" made arrangements for the dowry of "filie nostre Margarite" by charter dated 17 May 1234[438]. She was consecrated Queen 28 May 1234, Cathedral of St Etienne, Sens. The testament of “R. Berengarius…comes et marchio Provincie et comes Forcalquerii”, dated 20 Jun 1238, names “Margaritam filiam nostrum…reginam Francie…Elionors filiam nostrum…reginam Anglie…Sanciam filiam nostram” and appoints “Beatricem filiam nostrum heredem generalem”[439]. After disputing the succession of her youngest sister Béatrice to the county of Provence, she renounced her rights in 1287 and received Beaufort and Baugé. The testament of "Beatricis relictć Raimundi Berengarii comitis Provincić", dated 14 Jan 1264, confirms her previous testaments appointing "Reginarum filiarum suarum Margarethć Francić et Alienorć Anglić…" as her heirs[440]. The Chronicle of Guillaume de Nangis records the death in Paris in 1295 of "regina Francić Margareta" and her burial "in ecclesia sancti Dionysii in Francia juxta regem sanctissimum Ludovicum conjugem suum", adding that she had retired to "Parisius apud sanctum Marcellum cśnobium sororum minorum"[441]. m (Cathedral of St Etienne, Sens, Yonne 27 May 1234) LOUIS IX King of France, son of LOUIS VIII King of France & Infanta dońa Blanca de Castilla (Château de Poissy, Yvelines 25 Apr 1214-killed in battle Tunis 25 Aug 1270, bur église de l'Abbaye royale de Saint-Denis).

2. ELEONORE de Provence (Aix-en-Provence [1223]-Amesbury Abbey, Wiltshire 24/25 Jun 1291, bur Amesbury Abbey). A charter dated 22 Jun 1235 records the marriage agreement between "Henricus III Anglić Rex" and "Amedeo IV Sab. Com. ac Willelmo electo Valentino fratribus…nepte, sororis illorum, comitissć Provincić, filia"[442]. The Continuator of Florence of Worcester records the marriage "Id Jan" [1236] in Canterbury of King Henry III and "Alienoram filiam comitis Proventić" and their joint coronation in London "XIII Kal Feb"[443]. Her marriage is recorded by Matthew Paris, who also states her parentage[444]. She was crowned Queen Consort 19/20 Jan 1236 at Westminster Abbey. Her marriage signalled the establishment of close ties between the English court and the house of Savoy, the foreign immigrants becoming increasingly unpopular in England and contributing to the difficulties experienced by King Henry III with his barons. The testament of “R. Berengarius…comes et marchio Provincie et comes Forcalquerii”, dated 20 Jun 1238, names “Margaritam filiam nostrum…reginam Francie…Elionors filiam nostrum…reginam Anglie…Sanciam filiam nostram” and appoints “Beatricem filiam nostrum heredem generalem”[445]. The testament of "Beatricis relictć Raimundi Berengarii comitis Provincić", dated 14 Jan 1264, confirms her previous testaments appointing "Reginarum filiarum suarum Margarethć Francić et Alienorć Anglić…" as her heirs[446]. She became a nun at Amesbury Abbey, Wiltshire 7 Jul 1284. The Annales Londonienses record the death "in crastino Sancti Johannis Baptistć" in 1291 of "Elianora mater regis Edwardi" and her burial "apud Ambresbury in festo nativitate beatć Virginis"[447]. m (Betrothed 22 Jun 1235, Canterbury 14 Jan 1236) HENRY III King of England, son of JOHN King of England & Isabelle d’Angoulęme (Winchester Castle 1 Oct 1207-Palace of Westminster 16 Nov 1272, bur Westminster Abbey).

3. SANCHA de Provence (Aix-en-Provence [1225]-Berkhamstead Castle, Buckinghamshire 5 or 9 Nov 1261, bur Hayles Abbey, Gloucestershire). The testament of “R. Berengarius…comes et marchio Provincie et comes Forcalquerii”, dated 20 Jun 1238, names “Margaritam filiam nostrum…reginam Francie…Elionors filiam nostrum…reginam Anglie…Sanciam filiam nostram” and appoints “Beatricem filiam nostrum heredem generalem”[448]. A charter dated Jun 1240 records the episcopal annulment of the betrothal of "Guigonem Dalphinum Viennć et Albonis" and "filiam comitis Provincić" because of his prior commitment to marry "filia Barralis domini de Baucio"[449]. It is assumed that this betrothal relates to Sancha, because her two older sisters were married at that date and her younger sister probably too young to have been betrothed. A charter dated 11 Aug 1241 records the marriage contract between "R comitis Tolosć" and "Sanciam filiam…R Berengarii Comitis Provincić…et…Beatrix Comitissa"[450]. "Petrus de Sabaudia" acted as proxy for the marriage of "Richardo comite Cornubie" and "Sanccie filie…Raimundi Berengarii comitis provincie", recorded in a charter dated 17 Jul 1242[451]. Her marriage is recorded by Matthew of Paris, who also confirms her parentage[452]. The Annales Halesiensibus record the death "1261 V Id Nov…apud Berhamstede" of "Sanchia regina Alemannie" and her burial "apud Heiles"[453]. The Annals of Osney record the death “die Mercurii proximo ante festum beati Martini apud Berchamstede” in 1261 of “Schenchia regina Alemannić, soror Elianorć reginć Anglić” and her burial “ad domum de Hayles”[454]. Betrothed (contract before Jun 1240, annulled Jun 1240) to GUIGUES Dauphin de Viennois Comte d'Albon, son of ANDRE Comte d´Albon [Bourgogne-Capet] & his third wife Beatrice di Monferrato ([1225]-[Aug/Nov] 1269, bur Chartreuse Abbaye de Prémol). Betrothed (Aug 1241) to RAYMOND VII Comte de Toulouse, son of RAYMOND VI Comte de Toulouse & his third wife Joan of England (Beaucaire, Gard Jul 1197-Millau, Aveyron 27 Sep 1249, bur Fontevraud). m (Contract 17 Jul 1242, Westminster 22 Nov 1243) as his second wife, RICHARD Earl of Cornwall, son of JOHN King of England & Isabelle d’Angoulęme (Winchester Castle 5 Jan 1209-Berkhamstead Castle, Herts 2 Apr 1272, bur Hayles Abbey, Gloucestershire). Elected King of Germany and King of the Romans 13 Jan 1257, crowned 17 May 1257 at Aachen Cathedral.

4. RAYMOND de Provence (-young). The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified.

5. BEATRICE de Provence (1234-Naples 23 Sep 1267, bur Naples, Cathedral of San Gennaro, transferred 1277 to Aix-en-Provence, Church of St Jean de Jerusalem). The testament of “R. Berengarius…comes et marchio Provincie et comes Forcalquerii”, dated 20 Jun 1238, names “Margaritam filiam nostrum…reginam Francie…Elionors filiam nostrum…reginam Anglie…Sanciam filiam nostram” and appoints “Beatricem filiam nostrum heredem generalem”[455]. She succeeded in 1245 as BEATRICE Ctss de Provence, in accordance with the testament of her father. The Annales Sancti Victoris Massilienses record the marriage "1246 mense Ian pridie Kal Feb" of "Karolus comes, frater Lodovici Francorum regis" and "Beatrice filia comitis Provincie Raimundi Berengarii bone memorie"[456]. A second testament of "Beatrix relicta…Dom. Reymundi Berengarii comitis provincić", dated 22 Feb 1264, adds bequests to "…Beatrice Andegavie comitisse"[457]. The testament of "Beatrix…Regina Sicilie, Ducatus Apulić et Principatus Capuć, Andegavensis, Provincić et Forcalquerii Comitissa" is dated "die Mercurii in crastino Beatorum Peteri et Pauli Apostolorum" in 1266, with bequests to "filium nostrum Philippum…Domini Caroli…Regis Sicilić…mariti nostri…filiam nostram Blancham maritatam Roberto Flandrensi…Carolus filius noster primogenitus…Beatricem filiam nostram…Isabellim filiam nostram…" and naming "bonć memorić Domini Raimundi Berengarii quondam patris nostri"[458]. The Istoria of Saba Malaspina records the death of "regina" in Naples, dated to 1267 from the context[459]. m (Aix-en-Provence 31 Jan 1246) as his first wife, CHARLES de France Comte d'Anjou et de Maine, son of LOUIS VIII King of France & Infanta dońa Blanca de Castilla (posthumously [21] Mar 1226/7-Foggia 7 Jan 1285, bur Naples, Cathedral of San Gennaro). Marquis de Provence and Comte de Forcalquier 1246, by right of his wife. Created Comte d'Anjou et du Maine Aug 1246 by his brother King Louis IX. He was invested as CHARLES I King of Sicily at Rome 28 Jun 1265, confirmed by Pope Clement IV 4 Nov, crowned at St Peter’s Rome 6 Jan 1266.⁵

Sources