Theobald II of Champagne
Theobald II of Champagne (1090-1151), also known as Theobald The Great, was Count of Champagne from 1125 to 1151, as well as count of Blois and of Chartres (from 1102). He held Auxerre, Maligny, Ervy, Troyes, and Châteauvillain as fiefs from Eudes II, Duke of Burgundy. He was the son of Stephen, Count of Blois and Adela of Normandy, and the elder brother of King Stephen of England. Although he was the second son, Theobald was chosen as heir over his elder brother, Guillaume, who was weak mentally.
In 1123 he married Matilda of Carinthia, daughter of Engelbert II of Carinthia. Their children were:
- Henry I of Champagne
- Theobald V of Blois
- Adèle of Champagne, married King Louis VII of France
- Isabelle of Champagne, married 1. Roger of Apulia d.1148 & 2.William Gouet IV d.1170
- Marie of Champagne, married Eudes II, Duke of Burgundy, became Abbess of Fontevrault later in life.
- William (White Hands), 1135-1202, Archbishop of Reims 1176-1202, Cardinal 1179
- Stephen I of Sancerre 1133-1191, Count of Sancerre and Crusader, died at the Siege of Acre
- Agnes of Champagne (d.1207), Dame de Ligny married Renaud II of Bar (d.1170).
- Margaret of Champagne nun at Fontevrault
- Mathilde of Champagne married Rotrou III of Perche d.1191
King Louis VII of France became involved in a war with Theobald by permitting Count Raoul I of Vermandois and seneschal of France, to repudiate his wife, Theobald's niece, and to marry Petronilla of Aquitaine, sister of the queen of France. The war, which lasted two years (1142-1144), was marked by the occupation of Champagne by the royal army and the capture of Vitry, where many persons perished in the burning of the church.
Pierre Abélard sought asylum in Champagne during Theobald II's reign.
Theobald II was also Theobald IV, Count of Blois.
Sources
| Preceded by: Hugues |
Count of Champagne 1125–1151 |
Succeeded by: Henry I |
| Preceded by: Stephen Henry |
Count of Blois 1102–1151 |
Succeeded by: Theobald V |
