Counts and dukes of Rethel

The first counts of Rethel ruled independently, before the county passed first to the counts of Nevers, then to the counts of Flanders, and finally to the dukes of Burgundy. In 1405 the county became part of the peerage of France, and in 1581 it was elevated to a duchy. In 1663 it became the Duchy of Mazarin.

The county was active in the crusades. King Baldwin II of Jerusalem was the brother of Count Gervais and Countess Matilda of Rethel, while Beatrice of Rethel married Leo I, Prince of Armenia.

Rethel Dynasty

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Vitre Dynasty

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Dampierre dynasty

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Burgundian dynasty

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Albret dynasty

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Coat of Arms of the Lords of Orval from the Albret family.
  • John of Albret (1491–1500; also lord of Orval; married Charlotte of Rethel)
  • Marie of Albret (1500–1549)

Cleves dynasty

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Gonzaga dynasty

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House of Mazarin

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Nowadays, the title is still claimed by her descendants, the Sovereign Princes of Monaco.

Bibliography

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  • Alan V. Murray, The crusader Kingdom of Jérusalem, A Dynastic History 1099-1125, Linacre College Oxford, 2000, ISBN 1-900934-03-5