8

Vitry the Burnt.

posted by LockeProposal on TheGrittyPast

[Quick Set-Up: The younger sister of Louis VII of France’s wife, Petronilla, eloped with count Raoul of Vermandios, who was the king’s cousin and grand seneschal of France. Unfortunately, Raoul was already married and was much older than Petronilla. Raoul persuaded his brother (the bishop of Noyon) to annul his former marriage on the grounds of consanguinity (blood relations), and then married Petronilla. Horrified, a respected religious figure of the day protested to the Pope, who demanded that Raoul return to his first wife.**]

The countess of Vermandois [Petronilla] took refuge with her uncle, Thibault of Champagne, and begged him to help her. Thibault’s territory surrounded the Capetian domains; besides being count of Champagne, he was also count of Brie and count of Blois.

His attempts to intervene and his protection of Pierre of Le Châtre infuriated the king [Louis VII of France] who, in 1142. Invaded Champagne and laid it waste far and wide. The campaign reached its climax in 1143, when royal troops set fire to the town of Vitry-en-Perthois and over a thousand refugees – mainly women and children – perished when the church was burnt to the ground. (The town has been known as ‘Vitry-le-Brulé’ ever since.)

Louis, who was there, was appalled, but no doubt more by the sacrilege than by the slaughter.

Source:

Seward, Desmond. “Queen of France.” Eleanor of Aquitaine. New York: Times , 1979. 32-33. Print.

Further Reading:

Petronilla of Aquitaine

Theobald the Great / Theobald IV / Theobald II, Count of Champagne

[Champagne]( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champagne_(province)

Louis VII “the Young”

Vitry-le-Brûlé (Vitry the Burnt) / Vitry-en-Perthois

[**Quick Set-Up:** The younger sister of Louis VII of France’s wife, Petronilla, eloped with count Raoul of Vermandios, who was the king’s cousin and grand seneschal of France. Unfortunately, Raoul was already married and was much older than Petronilla. Raoul persuaded his brother (the bishop of Noyon) to annul his former marriage on the grounds of consanguinity (blood relations), and then married Petronilla. Horrified, a respected religious figure of the day protested to the Pope, who demanded that Raoul return to his first wife.**] >The countess of Vermandois [**Petronilla**] took refuge with her uncle, [Thibault of Champagne](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Theobald.jpg), and begged him to help her. Thibault’s territory surrounded the Capetian domains; besides being count of Champagne, he was also count of Brie and count of Blois. >His attempts to intervene and his protection of Pierre of Le Châtre infuriated [the king](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Louis_VII_ristiretki.PNG) [**Louis VII of France**] who, in 1142. Invaded Champagne and laid it waste far and wide. The campaign reached its climax in 1143, when royal troops set fire to the town of Vitry-en-Perthois and over a thousand refugees – mainly women and children – perished when the church was burnt to the ground. (The town has been known as ‘Vitry-le-Brulé’ ever since.) >Louis, who was there, was appalled, but no doubt more by the sacrilege than by the slaughter. ___________________________ **Source:** Seward, Desmond. “Queen of France.” *Eleanor of Aquitaine*. New York: Times , 1979. 32-33. Print. ___________________________ **Further Reading:** [Petronilla of Aquitaine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petronilla_of_Aquitaine) [Theobald the Great / Theobald IV / Theobald II, Count of Champagne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theobald_II,_Count_of_Champagne) [Champagne]( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champagne_(province) [Brie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brie_(region)) [Blois](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blois) [Louis VII “the Young”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_VII_of_France) [Vitry-le-Brûlé (Vitry the Burnt) / Vitry-en-Perthois](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitry-en-Perthois)

No comments, yet...