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Henri IICount of Bar and Lord of Musson since 1214
Date of Birth: 01.01.1190
Country:  Operator |
Content:
- Count of Bar and Seigneur of Mousson
- Early Life and Reign
- Support for the French King
- Conflict with Lorraine
- Rebellion against Blanche of Castile
- Alliance with Burgundy
- War of Friends
- Crusade and Death
- Legacy
- Marriage and Children
- Margaret (1220-1275)
Count of Bar and Seigneur of Mousson
In 1214, Henry II became the Count of Bar and Seigneur of Mousson, inheriting the titles from his father, Theobald I.
Early Life and Reign
First mentioned in records in 1202, Henry played a role in governing the county of Bar from 1210 onwards. He participated in the Albigensian Crusade in 1211. Upon his father's death in 1214, Henry ascended to the throne.
Support for the French King
Henry II supported the French King Philip II Augustus against Holy Roman Emperor Otto IV. He fought in the Battle of Bouvines alongside the king, standing in the center of the battle formation.
Conflict with Lorraine
Henry's ongoing feud with Theobald I, Duke of Lorraine, led him to support Theobald IV of Champagne and his mother, Blanche of Navarre, in the War of the Champenois Succession (1216-1221). The conflict ended with Theobald I's defeat and capture.
Rebellion against Blanche of Castile
In 1226, Henry joined Theobald IV in a revolt against Blanche of Castile, who had become regent after the death of King Louis VIII. However, they were forced to submit in 1227.
Alliance with Burgundy
In 1229, Henry and Theobald fell out over Henry's abduction of Richard d'Auvergne, Archbishop of Lyon. At Henry's instigation, the archbishop arranged a marriage between Yolanda de Dreux (niece of Theobald's enemy, Peter Mauclerc, Duke of Brittany) and Duke Hugh IV of Burgundy, who was allied with Henry through marriage.
War of Friends
In 1231, Henry participated in the "War of Friends," supporting the citizens of Metz against their bishop, Jean I d'Apremont. He made peace with Duke Matthew II of Lorraine in 1233 and secured it with a treaty in 1238.
Crusade and Death
Henry joined the crusade organized by Theobald IV and Peter Mauclerc in 1239. While the crusaders were building a fortress at Ashkelon, Henry and a group of barons pursued and defeated a small Egyptian force. On November 13, they were ambushed by Egyptian troops and defeated, with many taken prisoner. Henry II was killed in the battle.
Legacy
Henry's remains were discovered in 1241 and buried near Ashkelon. His daughter, Margaret, married Henry V, Count of Luxembourg, in 1240, bringing the seigneury of Ligny-en-Barrois into the Luxembourg family.
Marriage and Children
Henry II married Philippa de Dreux around 1219. They had six children:
Margaret (1220-1275)
Theobald II (c. 1221-1291)Henry (d. after 1349)
Joan (1225-1299)
Renaud (d. 1271)
Erard (d. 1335)
Isabella (d. 1320)
