Joan, Countess of Flanders

348: 994: 1358: 484: 1174: 1369: 1229: 542: 2389: 820:, who accepted her petition. However, King Louis VIII refused the consent to a marriage between Mauclerc and the Countess, fearing that the royal demesne, squeezed between their domains, would be too dangerous. To finally end Joan's marital pretensions, the French King obtained from the Pope the renewal of her marriage with Ferdinand, while forcing her to a treaty and a ransom for her imprisoned husband. 1082: 594:, to promote woollen weaving in the town. Also she ordered the reconstruction of Lille's ramparts, but fearing a new French offensive, she eventually was forced to sign the Treaty of Paris (24 October 1214), under which major fortresses in southern Flanders were destroyed; property was restored to French partisans; and Flanders was in effect ruled from Paris. 1097:, Joan founded the Abbey of Marquette-lez-Lille, and confirmed, supported or helped the foundation of several other monasteries of Cistercian nuns. Until the 12th century, the abbeys of both Flanders and Hainaut were exclusively male; however, twenty female monasteries in Flanders (most notably the Abbey of La Byloke in 49: 1038:. In less urban areas, particularly in Hainaut, the comital power remained strong. Under constant pressure from the Flemish bourgeoisie, aware of Joan's need of their support against the King of France, she pursued a policy that promoted economic development and urban autonomy, not without tax counterparties. 1440:

representing Countess Joan. One, made of wool and silk, showed Joan sat between her two successive husbands, Ferdinand of Portugal and Thomas of Savoy, identified by their faces; it is marked "Joan of Constantinople, Countess of Flanders / founder of this house in 1233", which shows that the tapestry

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The next conflict to shake Joan's rule took place in 1224, when she wanted to acquire, through her advisor Arnoul of Audernarde, the castellany of Bruges, which King Philip II had entrusted to John of Nesle, bailiff of Flanders, after the Battle of Bouvines. She challenged the excessive sums demanded

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near Lille, where she had retired shortly before as a nun, and was buried next to her first husband in the mausoleum that she had previously built for him. Without surviving issue, she was succeeded by her sister Margaret, while her widower Thomas returned to Savoy. Her tomb was rediscovered in 2005

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In 1206, the French king demanded assurances from Philip I of Namur that he would not marry off his nieces without the former's consent. In 1208, they reached an agreement: Joan and Margaret were forbidden to marry before their legal majority without the consent of the Marquis of Namur. However, the

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After the news of Baldwin's disappearance reached Flanders in February 1206, Joan succeeded her father as countess of Flanders and Hainaut. Because she was still a child, the administration of both counties was assumed by a council composed of the chancellor of Flanders, the provost of Lille and the

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payable in two installments. The Treaty also stipulated that the cities of Lille, Douai and Lécluse would be surrendered to France as a pledge until full payment of this considerable amount was made. Joan was also forced to maintain her marital bond with Ferdinand. Both Joan and Ferdinand could be

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was made to the Hospice Comtesse. The other shows Count Baldwin IX, with his wife and two daughters, the future Countesses Joan and Margaret. In the same museum, an anonymous painting of 1632, called "Foundation of the Notre-Dame Hospital", shows Countesses Joan and Margaret, surrounded by the

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Guillaume de Boudelo, who died in 1261. This talented clerk was recruited by Countess, who made the request to the Cistercian General Chapter in 1238. He was appointed as director of the Hospice Comtesse in Lille, after his foundation, from 1238 to 1244 and then to the convent of Marke, near

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Convinced that he was an impostor, Louis VIII gave him three days to flee. The false Baldwin IX took refuge with his supporters to Valenciennes, but the city was quickly retaken by the French. Joan required unconditional surrender. The impostor then took refuge with

678:, the governor of Flanders and Hainaut Arnulf of Gavre would have recognized his uncle Josse Materne, who was now a Franciscan friar at Valenciennes. In his questioning to him, he would have learned that Baldwin IX and his companions were able to escape from the 794:

Following the recapture of the rebellious cities, Joan imposed heavy fines on them. This allowed her not only to pay her debts to the King of France the next year (instead of the 20 years previously agreed), but also to pay the ransom of her husband Ferdinand.

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and Waleran III of Limburg. Joan sent her advisor Arnold of Oudenarde to meet the hermit; however, he returned convinced that he was the true Baldwin IX. Other witnesses were more skeptical, but they were accused by the people of being bribed by the Countess.

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there; however, she had to face the resistance of the local Franciscan community. Finally, the two communities merged before 1241. In the case of the Franciscans of Lille, Joan sent her general contractor and carpenters to help build the church and convent.

868:, but since he was still loyal to the English crown at this point, this did not sit well with Louis IX, who refused to give his consent. It was during that year of 1233 that Bouchard of Avesnes, jailed since his plot of the false Baldwin was released. 815:

Whether as a ploy or out of genuine willingness to turn the page, Joan intensified her efforts to marry Peter Mauclerc, the widowed duke and regent of Brittany. She then requested the annulment of her marriage under grounds of consanguinity from

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in feudal law. Finally, the knights and representatives of the main Flemish cities also had to swear allegiance to the King of France: at all, 27 cities and 350 nobles paid homage. After the death of Louis VIII on 8 November, his widow

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Before launching military operations, Louis VIII sent his aunt Sybille of Hainaut, Dowager Lady of Beaujeu and sister of Baldwin IX, to meet the hermit. She developed doubts about his identity. On 30 May 1225 the King met the hermit at

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at a meeting in his court at Melun, contending that, due to her rank, she could only be judged by her peers. The King ultimately gave his verdict in favour of John of Nesle, which was a cause of further humiliation for the Countess.

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In 1219, during a battle in Flanders against Joan, Bouchard was captured and imprisoned. Two years later (1221), he was released after agreeing to separation from his wife. Between 18 August and 15 November 1223, Margaret married

982:, Ghent, Ypres, Bruges and Lederzeele new privileges, which gave them greater autonomy vis-à-vis from the Comital power. After the death of Ferdinand (1233), she maintained the Lille Charter and authorized the construction of a 1009:

Then, after her marriage with Thomas of Savoy (1237–1244), she complemented this policy through tax exemptions, reorganization of the judicial system, measures to promote river commerce and sea ports, concerning the cities of

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in the Netherlands and one of the first literary works written in that language. It contains the original episodes, which do not belong to the Romanesque release. His author, "Willem die Madocke maecte" was identified as the

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at the gates of Lille. It is likely that Bouchard of Avesnes, the former husband of Margaret, was behind the plot: the false Baldwin IX had recognized the legitimate rights of his eldest son as heir of Flanders and Hainaut.

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Marquis would not oppose the royal choice of husbands. If either refused the candidate chosen by King Philip II, the agreement required the Marquis to find a husband—after compensation was made to the French king.

745:, Louis VIII agreed to take his army to restore Joan's rights. The French King demanded a high price for his support: Joan agreed to reimburse the costs of war, and confirmed the pledge over Douai and Lécluse. 753:

and interrogated him about details of Baldwin IX's life: he was unable to remember when and where he was knighted and even he did not remember his own wedding night. Philippe of Jouy (Bishop of Orléans) and

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and hospital communities in her domains (without neglecting the traditional religious orders). Under her reign, women's foundations increased, transforming the place of women in both society and the church.

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Nevertheless, Joan's activity as literary patron seems to have been limited. It is possible that to succeed in a world dominated by men, she had to voluntarily dismiss this role usually assigned to women.

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are implanted in Flanders and Hainaut. A dozen monasteries were founded between 1217 and 1262. Joan encouraged this movement, and directly supported, in 1244 the creation of the Bethlehem Priory at

915:). For this marriage, Joan was forced to pay 30,000 livres to the King of France and renew her oath of loyalty. With her new husband, she gave support to Louis IX against the rebellion led by 871:

After Ferdinand's death, the couple's daughter and heir presumptive, Marie of Portugal, was sent to Paris to be educated there, following Louis IX's demands. In June 1235 she was betrothed to

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to France, recognizing the previous occupation of Prince Louis over those lands. After this event, Joan and Ferdinand decided to join in an alliance with the former allies of Baldwin IX,

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were founded in 1245 by her sister Margaret. It is possible that the influence of the Dominicans played a role in these foundations, some of which are under their spiritual direction.

1193:. These monasteries, which enjoyed considerable autonomy, had a charitable and urban land use. They responded well to the demands of the new women's spirituality of the 13th century. 499:), eldest son of King Philip II. The French prince intended to recover a large portion of the territory that he considered as belonging to his late mother's dowry, including the 282:

Joan's policies favored economic development in her counties; in fact, she granted several charters to the Flemish cities. She played an important role in the development of the

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Countess Joan, in the early years of her personal reign (1214–1226), conducted a policy favorable to the development of Flemish cities. She provided legal and tax privileges to

271:, as well as the revolt of her domains – guided by a man who claimed to be her father. After the end of the war, Ferdinand was released but died soon after. Joan then married 911:, wife of Louis IX. They wed on 2 April 1237, although without Papal dispensation despite consanguinity within the prohibited degrees between them (both were descendants of 1101:), and five in Hainaut were founded during the 13th century. They were supported by Joan and her sister Margaret – for some of them, the role of foundresses was assigned 2190: 428:

The guardianship and education of both Joan and her sister was supervised by their uncle Philip, who soon put his nieces in a difficult position. He became betrothed to

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In the meanwhile, the Countess began to petition the Pope for the annulment of her marriage, arguing that it had never been consummated. In 1221, she sought to marry

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The supposed Baudouin created knights, sealed acts and behaved like a real count. Quickly, he was supported by the nobility of Hainaut, including Jean of Nesle and

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was also part of her court, without being able to demonstrate with certainty that the book was written for her. However, was widely known that he dedicated his

1311:, this text appears to have been designed both as a book for the instruction and edification of his teenage dedicatee, but also as a wonderful story, near the 927:

on the site of the later destroyed Abbey of Marquette; however, further excavations in 2007 revealed that the Countess' remains weren't present in this tomb.

583:(27 July 1214), where Ferdinand was captured. During the twelve years that followed, while Ferdinand remained a prisoner of the French, Joan governed alone. 1373: 1284:

The writing of the Story of the Grail is strongly linked to the Counts of Flanders. Chrétien de Troyes wrote under the protection of Joan's grand-uncle,

347: 617:, Lord of Etroen. The French King, viewing this union with suspicion, informed Pope Innocent III that Bouchard before his wedding had already taken 2305: 1483:, was devoted to her. It was the opportunity of an artistic creation dedicated to both Countesses Joan and Margaret by photographer Laura Henno. 1390:, are generally hostile to her; almost all consider that the hermit was indeed the true Baldwin IX of Flanders and by killing him, she committed 978:

tax to people who come to settle in this city. After the return of her husband Ferdinand, she confirmed this political orientation, by granting

1885: 1882: 2232: 2393: 629:, the Pope annulled the marriage on this ground. Margaret and Bouchard, however, refused to submit. They took refuge at the Castle of 475:, as Joan's husband for the same amount. The marriage was celebrated in Paris in January 1212. Ferdinand thus became Joan's co-ruler. 1204:. In 1228, with her husband Ferdinand, she provided a way for the founding of the Biloke in Ghent. In February 1237, she founded the 487:

Joan's personal seal. She chose a round seal – as men had – and is represented on horseback, a hawk in hand, in an aristocratic pose.

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Rear view of the Hospice Comtesse on community building and the chapel. Nothing remains of the original buildings founded by Joan.

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reported at the same time that a mysterious stranger distributed large sums of money announcing the return of Baldwin. In 1225, a

382:, decided to join him shortly after his departure, leaving their daughters Joan and Margaret in the care of their paternal uncle, 2400: 2053:

Sainte Marthe et Perceval: deux figures entre exemple et divertissement, ou les œuvres littéraires écrites pour Jeanne de Flandre

1249: 579:(2 July 1214), Prince Louis defeated the English army. Then King Philip II inflicted upon his opponents a decisive defeat at the 2549: 2187: 1085:

A Cistercian nun praying at the foot of the Cross. Manuscript of the 13th century that belonged to the Cistercian Abbey of

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One of her first rulings was to exempt certain groups from taxes to encourage industry: an example is that of settlers in

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and his imprisonment. Joan then ruled her counties alone from the age of 14. She faced the rivalry of her younger sister,

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to marry Joan, while his brother Thomas would marry Margaret. However, the Flemish nobility was hostile to the project.

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In late 1227 or early 1228, Joan gave birth to a daughter, Marie. A few years later, on 27 July 1233 Ferdinand died in

530:(who initially refused to recognize Ferdinand as Count) after Joan and Ferdinand agreed to the annual election of four 164: 17: 2172: 2165: 706:, claimed to be Baldwin IX. He claimed the restitution by Joan of his rights to the counties of Flanders and Hainaut. 2529: 2486: 1933:

Un nouveau mode de vie consacrée : les ordres mendiants, leur diffusion en Flandre et en Hainaut au XIIIe siècle

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of permission to fortify their cities; and the resignation of the castellans of Bruges and Ghent, deemed pro-French.

356: 268: 88: 737:, the only city that remained faithful to her. Against the promise of 20,000 livres and the pledge of the cities of 436:. He gave his future father-in-law custody of Joan and Margaret, who were raised in Paris alongside the young Count 2519: 1261: 307: 1457: 1244:

Two known manuscripts are considered to have belonged to Joan's library. The first is a Psalter preserved in the

2559: 2524: 2340: 1319:. Martha is presented as a great speaker, able to defeat the insurgency cities where St. Front de Passais and 456: 330:

There are several painted or sculpted representations of the Countess in France and Belgium, as well as two

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The Golden Spurs of Kortrijk: How the Knights of France Fell to the Foot Soldiers of Flanders in 1302, 2007

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to her aunt when she married Ferdinand of Portugal. The second, dating from 1210 to 1220 is a copy of the

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La politique de Jeanne de Constantinople à l'égard des villes (1212–1244). Une situation gagnant-gagnant?

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finally released Ferdinand in January 1227 after Joan paid half of the ransom, reduced to 25,000 livres.

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in 1835. In response, Emile Gachet began a process to rehabilitate the Countess in the recently founded

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even offered to him the renewal of an alliance against Louis VIII, counting with the support of Dukes

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Dictionnaire Historique et Généalogique des Grandes Familles de Grèce, d'Albanie et de Constantinople

1464:. The mother-child hospital in the Regional University Hospital of Lille bears her name. The city of 1327: 904: 872: 602: 598: 322: 272: 2102:, Tomus I, n° 25 (138), Bibliothèque de la revue d'histoire ecclésiastique, Fasc. 9, Louvain, 1933. 1552:. Vol. 88, No. 4, Secular Women in the Documents for Late Medieval Religious Women (2008), 538–539. 896: 726: 642: 576: 437: 355:

Joan's exact date of birth is unknown. Contemporary sources indicate that, like her younger sister

203: 78: 1873:, Archaeology of Picardy and Northern France, Northern Journal 2006, vol. 88, nº 368, pp. 109–125. 1841: 2220: 1504: 759: 654: 713:. Then he received the support of the majority of the cities of Flanders and Hainaut, including 1505:"Étude sur les chanceliers de Flandre pendant le règne de Jeanne de Constantinople (1205-1244)" 1436:

The Museum of the Hospice Comtesse has two tapestries of Guillaume Werniers, after drawings of

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Vom Klosteraushlat zum Stadt und Staadhausalt, 38, Monographien zur Geschchte des Mittelalters

1433:, who for a long time was an authority on the subject and helps to rehabilitate the Countess. 1220:

in Valenciennes, four years after her canonization. This foundation was used by the beguines.

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by the bailiff, and the dispute was judged by two knights. Joan then appealed to the new King

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was signed between Joan and Louis VIII, under which Ferdinand's ransom was fixed at 50,000

771: 763: 758:(Bishop of Beauvais), recognized him as a juggler who already tried to pass himself off as 722: 662: 496: 468: 56: 1614:

Jeanne et Marguerite de Constantinople, comtesses de Flandre et de Hainaut au XIIIe siècle

972:, in 1217, she promoted the influx of workers for the wool industry by exempting from the 8: 1473: 1086: 1058: 923: 861: 433: 256: 122: 60: 807:

Joan with her imprisoned husband Ferdinand after the Battle of Bouvines. 14th century,

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that Joan's father had taken back by force after the death of Louis' mother in 1190.

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in 1212. Ferdinand quickly turned against Philip, starting a war that ended with the

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Jeanne de Constantinople et quelques fondations féminines de l'ordre de Saint-Victor

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river navigable. Then in 1242, with Thomas of Savoy, she authorized the aldermen of

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To promote river commerce, Joan ordered in 1237 the construction of water gates at

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to the Holy Land before reuniting with her husband, but died after her arrival at

2216: 2194: 2176: 1889: 1437: 1362: 1257: 857: 824: 511: 495:, the newlyweds were captured by Joan's first cousin Louis of France (the future 2289: 1546:

Female Founders: Exercising authority in Thirteenth-century Flanders and Hainaut

782:, he was sent to Joan. Despite the promise to respect his life, he was put in a 1871:

Le mausolée de la comtesse Jeanne à l'abbaye de Marquette: essai de restitution

1860:, 1848, p. 324 – archive of the University of Ghent- digitized by Google Books. 892: 534:

chosen among the aldermen of the city; the granting to the people of Ghent and

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Musée de l'hospice Comtesse, Miroir de Lille et des Pays-Bas, XIIIe-XXe siècle

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in August 1204. One year later, on 14 April 1205, Baldwin vanished during the

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river. The latter was ultimately not built, but replaced by a double door in

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from 1205 (at the age of six) until her death. She was the elder daughter of

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possessed by a demon, who commits patricide after a tortuous romantic plot.

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which was destroyed by the French in 1213. She also founded the Hospital of

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Joan also supported hospitals (including Saint-Sauveur and Saint-Nicolas in

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The Countess also promoted and established several monasteries, abbeys and

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La comtesse Jeanne de Constantinople et l'histoire de Vanden vos Reynaerde

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L'enluminure au temps de Jeanne de Constantinople et Marguerite de Flandre

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Thirteenth century England: Proceedings of the Gregynog Conference, 2007

1228: 779: 378:, he was proclaimed emperor by the crusaders on 9 May 1204. Her mother, 2351:

Histoire de Jeanne de Constantinople, comtesse de Flandre et de Hainaut

2089:, Koniniklijke Academie for Nederlandse Taalen letterkunde, Gent, 1994. 1566:

Histoire de Jeanne de Constantinople, comtesse de Flandre et de Hainaut

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Histoire de Jeanne de Constantinople, comtesse de Flandre et de Hainaut

1070: 679: 630: 541: 515: 441: 422: 387: 367: 875:, Louis IX's brother. She died shortly after, leaving Joan childless. 742: 2209:

Jeanne de Flandre, une comtesse honorée dans l'hospice qu'elle a créé

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Le monde des moines et des chanoines, sa féminisation au XIIIe siècle

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Joan and Ferdinand only could obtain their release after signing the

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for Joan and her two husbands. This is also the case of the city of

864:, in Flanders. After the death of her husband, Joan wanted to marry 1316: 1159: 1035: 969: 832:

excommunicated if they betrayed the King, a deed which constituted

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Romantic vision of Joan of Constantinople, inspired by his seal.

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Following Blanche of Castile's suggestion, Joan agreed to marry

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Joan and her second husband Thomas of Savoy. Miniature from the

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Women's Biography: Joan of Constantinople, Countess of Flanders

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Johanna van Constantinopel, gravin van Vlaanderen en Henegouwen

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Béguines et béguinages en Flandre et en Hainaut au XIIIe siècle

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There are statues of Joan in the béguinage of Kortrijk and the

1303: 1292:, dedicated his work to Joan. It's likely that his predecessor 1248:(Lat. 238), made around 1210, which could have been offered by 1186: 1147: 1027: 1019: 974: 957: 691: 500: 403: 313: 1788:, Brussels, librairie scientifique et littéraire, 1848, p. 23. 1413:, like the playwrights Fontan and Victor Herbin in their play 1398:, presents Joan as the illegitimate child of the Count with a 1809:, vol. II 2387, Teulet, M. A. (ed.) Paris, 1863–1866, p. 293. 1461: 1260:(Add. 36614). This second manuscript would have involved the 1197: 1167: 1163: 1155: 1151: 1098: 1054: 1042: 1023: 979: 965: 949: 945: 849: 778:, but there he lost his last followers and fled. Caught near 738: 714: 572: 564: 549:, Count of Boulogne, as prisoners at the battle of Bouvines. 535: 527: 440:. During their time in France, they became familiar with the 276: 2126:

Chronique et cartulaire de l'abbaye de Groeninghe à Courtrai

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Before 23 July 1212, Joan's younger sister Margaret married

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