Bressuire ( French pronunciation: [bʁɛsɥiʁ] ; Latin : Berceorium ; Poitevin : Beurseure ) is a commune in the French department of Deux-Sèvres , region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine . The town is situated on an eminence overlooking the Dolo, a tributary of the Argenton .
31-482: Bressuire has two buildings of interest: the church of Notre-Dame, which, dating chiefly from the 12th and 15th centuries, has an imposing tower of the Renaissance period; and the castle, built by the lords of Beaumont, vassals of the viscount of Thouars . The latter is now in ruins, and a portion of the site is occupied by a modern château, but an inner and outer line of fortifications are still to be seen. The whole forms
62-705: A firm vassal of the Count Poitiers, but he was also a vassal of the Count of Anjou Fulk III Nerra , who was very present in this part of Poitou. Viscount Thouars assisted in 992 Fulk against the Britons for the possession of the County of Nantes and especially during the Battle of Conquereuil . Fulk awarded custody of Nantes Aimery during the minority of small Comte Judicaël . In 994, however, Aimery away lasting alliance Angevine and Fulk built
93-427: A fortress at Passavant to control it. He married Elvis, but they had no children together, however Aimery was a natural son, of Haimon Aymon Dinan, born about 975, who was Lord of Dinan, dit Vicomte, Comte Domnonia. 997-1004: Savary III . Son of Herbert I. He married twice: from the first marriage he had Geoffroy II; from the second marriage Hugues was born about 995. Having taken a field belonging to Lusignan, Savary
124-618: A marriage between the daughter of Raoul and Hugh de Lusignan by offering the latter the widow of Parthenay Josselin I (who had left an infant son). But in fact, the Duke arranged for that marriage to fail too, which caused a war between the Viscount of Thouars on one hand and the Sire de Lusignan, and even the duke on the other. The Vicomte Raoul died at the end of 1014 while ravaging the lands of Hugh de Lusignan. 1015-1055: Geoffroy II . Son of Savary III. He
155-425: Is twinned with: This Deux-Sèvres geographical article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Viscount of Thouars The first viscounts of Thouars appeared at the end of the 9th century, somewhat earlier than those of Châtellerault , Lusignan , etc. They represented the count of Poitou (also the duke of Aquitaine ) in the territory he had enfeoffed to them. The family of
186-483: Is weak that has many friends. Therefore I admonish you to hold dear those fideles who have been friends." Although one of the principal methods of Angevin expansion was by the creation of family connections Geoffrey exerted his control through various methods. His father had controlled Nantes through his second marriage to the widowed countess and Geoffrey continued this by making Count Guerech accept him as overlord. With an eye towards Maine , Geoffrey took advantage of
217-477: Is wife of Hugues de Lusignan, Raoul and his uncle, said Maule. At that time we can measure the extent of Viscount of Thouars by fiefs under its control. These are Bressuire, Gifted, Passavant, the Argenton Chateau, Airvault, La Foret sur Sevre, Montaigu, La Roche sur yon, Till, Châteaumur, Pouzauges, Les Essarts, Lezay, Commequiers, and more. Like many of his contemporaries, Viscount Herbert went to Palestine,
248-460: The Gallo-Roman period. The earliest surviving evidence of the town's existence, around the chapel of Saint Cyprien, dates back to the eleventh century. Medieval Bressuire ("Castrum Berzoriacum") belonged to the viscounts of Thouars and comprised, in the tenth century, the three parishes of Notre Dame (Our Lady), St John and St Nicholas. The parish of St Nicholas, which has since disappeared,
279-611: The Abbess and Bressuire Miss south of Thouars. In 955 he donated land, the Abbess Faye always to the benefit of the Abbey Saint Bonneval lès Thouars. Aimery II married Eleanor by 935, with whom he had a son, Herbert I. Abt 960–987: Herbert I . Son of Aimery II. Geoffroy Grisegonnelle, Count of Anjou, appears as suzerain and protector of Viscount Herbert (it will be the same, however, vis-à-vis his son Aimery III). About 973, Geoffroy
310-572: The Angevins joined the highest ranks of western French nobility. Geoffrey started by making his power-base the citadel of Angers strategically placing his fidèles in key areas surrounding the city to protect his territories. The lands of the abbeys of Saint-Aubin and Saint-Serge in Angers provided the beneficium for his most faithful adherents. On this subject which became this family's theme, Geoffrey advised both his sons, Fulk and Maurice: "No house
341-501: The abbeys of Bourgueil and Marmoutier . Before 876–903: Geoffroy I . His successors Savary and Aimery are likely his sons or his nephews. 903-929: Savary I . A follower of the Count of Poitou Ebles Manzer . He participated in meetings held by the Count of Poitiers. In 903 Ebles rewarded him by giving him the authority of the Abbey of Saint Maixent. 929-936: Aimery I . Brother of Savary I, he owned property near Poitiers and
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#1732880959963372-461: The finest assemblage of feudal ruins in Poitou. The name "Bressuire" comes from two elements, being Berg (hill) and Durum (fortress). These two are linked in the name "Berzoriacum" recorded in 1029, and "Bercorium" from the start of the crusading era in 1095. The name Bressuire thereby defines a fortress on a hill. Bressuire dates back to Celtic times, and was at the meeting point of roads during
403-605: The first time in 1098. He left with his brother Geoffrey in 1102 as part of the crusade led by the Duke William IX of Aquitaine . His banner was golden strewn with fleur de lys Azure, Gules franc area. These arms have remained those of his house, they then become those of the city of Thouars . Many pilgrims died during the journey from Constantinople in Jerusalem . Although Herbert wanted to go back to France, he died in Jaffa in 1104. He
434-424: The powerful baron Stephen, Count of Gevaudan and Forez, after whose death the lands were ruled by Adelaide. His nephews Pons and Bertrand succeeded as counts there and his niece Adalmode married Adelbert, Count of Marche and Périgord. In 975 Geoffrey had his brother Guy appointed Count and Bishop of Le Puy . In 982 Geoffrey married his now widowed sister Adelaide-Blanche to the fifteen-year-old Louis V of France ,
465-617: The rift that developed between the Counts of Maine and the viscounts and Bishops of Le Mans. About 971 Geoffrey secured the see of Le Mans for his ally Bishop Seinfroy. In 973 Geoffrey had married his daughter Ermengarde-Gerberga to Conan I of Rennes but Conan began to oppose Geoffrey and in 982 the two met at the first battle of Conquereuil with Geoffrey defeating Conan. Geoffrey had influence in Aquitaine by way of his mother Gerberga and then of his sister Adelaide-Blanche's first marriage to
496-458: The two being crowned King and Queen of Aquitaine . But the marriage to a woman thirty years his senior failed as did Geoffrey's plans to control Aquitaine through his young son-in-law. After the death of his first wife Adele, Geoffrey married secondly Adelaise de Châlon and for nearly a decade exerted control over the county of Châlons. Through the marriage of his son Fulk III to Elisabeth, the heiress of Vendôme , Geoffrey brought that county into
527-544: The viscountcy of Thouars to his daughter Anne when she was betrothed to Nicolas d'Anjou . However, Nicholas handed the title back to the king on becoming Duke of Lorraine in 1472 (dying a year later, aged 25). The viscountcy thus reverted to the king, who started the proceedings to grant it to Louis I de La Trémoille but the king died in 1483 leaving his successor to complete them. Geoffrey I of Anjou Geoffrey I of Anjou ( c. 938/940 – 21 July 987), known as Grisegonelle ("Grey Gown" or "Greymantle"),
558-427: The viscounts of Thouars doubtless originated in the surroundings of Poitiers where they held lands in the 10th century. At this era, they were patrons of the abbeys at Saint-Cyprien de Poitiers, Saint-Jouin de Marnes (15 km to the south of Thouars), Saint-Florent de Saumur and Saint-Martin de Tours . In the 11th century, following Geoffrey II of Thouars 's marriage to Agnes of Blois , they added to this list
589-402: The year 980. Having had an affair with the Count of Poitiers William IV of Poitiers , it was exposed to the vengeance of the latter's wife, Emma de Blois . Emma took revenge by bullying her rival during a meeting. Emma took refuge in the castle of Chinon, where she waited for her husband to forgive this action. 987-997: Aimery III . Son of Herbert I and Aldéarde (or Hildegarde) Aunay. He was
620-431: Was count of Anjou from 960 to 987. Geoffrey was the eldest son of Fulk II, Count of Anjou and his first wife Gerberga. He succeeded his father as Count of Anjou about 960, at the age of 20. He married Adele of Meaux (934–982), daughter of Robert of Vermandois . Her father was a patrilineal descendant of Charlemagne , while her paternal grandmother was daughter of king Robert I of France . Through this marriage
651-466: Was admitted to the Abbey of Saint Maixent (which was very rich). He married Aremburge, and they had two sons, Savary II and Aimery II. 936-943: Savary II . Son of Aimery I; he had no sons. 943-960: Aimery II . Son of Aimery I. He was a faithful ally of his suzerain Geoffroy Grisegonnelle , Count of Anjou, who awarded him the goods Chavagne near the monastery of Saint Maixent to Faye near
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#1732880959963682-497: Was always in conflict with his neighbor Hugh IV of Lusignan. 1004-1015: Raoul I . Son of Herbert I. With his wife called Aremburge (or Ascelin), he had two children, Thibault Aimery and Aldegarde (Audéarde, Aldiarde), wife of Hugh IV of Lusignan . The Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Poitiers William the Great practiced a policy of balance (with a lot of duplicity) between Raoul and the Sire de Lusignan to neutralize them. William wrecked
713-507: Was buried near the church of Saint Nicolas de Jaffa. He married 1095 to Agnes with whom he had two sons: Herbert and Aimery VI. 1104-1123: Geoffroy III . Son of Aimery IV. He was married in 1094 to Ameline. 1123-1127: Aimery V . Son of Geoffroy III. He was married to Agnes , daughter of William IX of Aquitaine 1127-1139: Aimery VI . Son of Herbert II. He was married to Mathilde d'Aquitaine. 1139-1151: William I . Son of Aimery V. 1151-1173: Geoffroy IV . Son of Aimery V. He
744-454: Was in possession of the strengths of Loudun and Mirebeau and then encircled the area of the Vicomte of Thouars. Herbert married in 956 Aldéarde (or Hildegarde), daughter Cadelon I, Viscount of Aunay ( Aulnay, Charente-Maritime ) and Sénégonde. Herbert and Aldéarde had several children: Aimery III, Savary III, Raoul I, Thibault and Geoffroy. Aldéarde was famous for a mishap which happened around
775-705: Was located within the walls of the castle and belonged to the Abbey of Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes . Among the disasters suffered at various times by the town, its capture from the English and subsequent pillage by French troops under du Guesclin in 1370 is the most memorable. Bressuire was part of the Ancien Régime Province of Poitou . In January 1973 Bressuire absorbed the former communes Beaulieu-sous-Bressuire, Boismé, Breuil-Chaussée, Chambroutet, Clazay, Noirlieu, Noirterre, Saint-Sauveur-de-Givre-en-Mai and Terves. Bressuire
806-466: Was married Aenor de Lusignan, daughter of Hugh VII of Lusignan and Saracena de Lezay. He married one of his younger sons, Guy of Thouars , to Constance, Duchess of Brittany . Geoffroy's granddaughter by Guy and Constance, Alix would become Duchess of Brittany in her own right. Alix would be the only member of the House of Thouars to hold this ducal crown. 1173-1226: Aimery VII . Son of Geoffroy IV. He
837-450: Was married Alix de Mauleon, daughter of Savary de Mauleon I and Belleassez Pouzauges Dame de Pareds. 1242-1246: Aimery VIII . Son of Aimery VII. He was married to Beatrix Machecoul Lady of La Roche sur Yon (widow of William de Mauleon Lord Talmond). 1246-1256: Aimery IX . Son of Guy I. He was married to Marguerite de Lusignan , widow of Raymond VII Count of Toulouse . 1256-1269: Renaud or Reginald of Thouars . Son of Guy I. He
868-591: Was married to Agnes de Blois, daughter of Eudes I of Blois and Berthe de Bourgogne. 1055-1093: Aimery IV . Son of Geoffroy II. He is one of the proven Companions of William the Conqueror . His first wife was Aregarde, daughter of Geoffrey de Mauleon and sister of Raoul de Mauleon. His second wife was Ameline. 1093-1104: Herbert II . Son of Aimery IV. He died at the First Crusade in Jaffa ( Palestine ) in 1104. He
899-471: Was married to Agnes de Laval, daughter of Baron Guy V de Laval and Agathe. Then he married his second wife Mary. 1226-1229: Hugues I . Son of Geoffroy IV. He was married to Marguerite de Vihiers. In 1236, his widow, Marguerite, would marry Pierre Mauclerc , the widowed husband of Alix of Thouars (the granddaughter of Geoffrey IV of Thouars above). 1229-1233: Raymond I . Brother of Aimery VII and Hugues I. 1233-1242: Guy I . Son of Aimery VII. He
930-798: Was married to Eleanor of Soissons. 1269-1274: Savary IV . Son of Guy I. He was married to Agnes de Pons. 1274-1308: Guy II . Son of Aimery IX. He was married to Marguerite de Brienne. 1308-1332: Jean I . Son of Guy II. He was married to Blanche de Brabant. 1332-1333: Hugues II . Son of Guy II. He was married to Jeanne de Beaucay. 1333-1370: Louis I . Son of Jean I. He was married to Jeanne de Dreux , daughter of John of Dreux and Péronelle de Sully. Then he married his second wife, Isabella of Avaugour widow of Geoffroy de Chateaubriand VIII . 1370–1397: Péronelle . Daughter of Louis I. She married twice: first to Amaury IV de Craon ; following his death in 1376, she married Tristan Rouault de Boleménard . In 1469 king Louis XI of France awarded
961-529: Was the son of Aimery IV and Ameline. He immediately succeeded his father Aimery IV. On February 10, 1096, Bishop Peter of Poitiers restores Airvault Abbey, with the agreement of Herbert, Viscount of Thouars, son of the late Viscount Aimery. On December 7, 1099, his family surrounding Arbert at the dedication of the Church of St. Nicolas de la Chaise, started by his father and has been completed; then found him with his brother Geoffrey, told Tiffauges, its Sister Hildegard