Henry I Count of Champagne and Brie (1152-1181), eldest son of Thibaut II the Great, Count of Champagne and Matilda of Carinthia. Brother of Queen Adele of Champagne, wife of King Louis VII of France. Date of Birth: 12.1127Год Country: France

1. Early Life and Family
2. Military Involvement
3. Ascension to Countship
4. Reign and Economic Prosperity
5. Cultural Center
6. Second Crusade and Capture
7. Marriage and Children

Early Life and Family

Henry I, Count of Champagne and Briewas born as the eldest son of Theobald II, Count of Champagne, and Matilda of Carinthia. His mother was a sister of Henry, Duke of Austria. Henry had a renowned sister, Queen Adele of Champagne, who married King Louis VII of France.

Military Involvement

Henry participated in the Second Crusade, bearing a letter of introduction from Bernard of Clairvaux to the Byzantine Emperor, Alexius I Comnenus. His name appears in the list of notables present at a council held by Baldwin III of Jerusalem in Acre on June 24, 1148.

Ascension to Countship

Upon his father's death in 1152, Henry inherited the County of Champagne while his younger brothers received the wealthier and more developed territories of Blois, Chartres, Sancerre, and Chateaudun. Henry's choice of Champagne may have been motivated by its future economic potential.

Reign and Economic Prosperity

During his reign, Henry became the overlord of around 2,000 vassals, making him one of the most powerful feudal lords in France. This enabled him to create a safe environment for trade, leading to the establishment of the renowned Champagne Fairs. These fairs became centers of commerce and finance, attracting merchants from across Europe.

Cultural Center

Henry's court at Troyes was a renowned literary hub. Writers such as Walter Map and Stephen of Alinerre were frequent visitors. Stephen eventually became the count's chancellor in 1176.

Second Crusade and Capture

In 1179, Henry embarked on another expedition to Jerusalem with a group of French knights. While returning through Anatolia, he was captured by the Seljuk Sultan Kilij Arslan II and held for ransom. The Byzantine Emperor secured Henry's release, but he died shortly after his return.

Marriage and Children

In 1164, Henry married Marie of France, the daughter of King Louis VII and Eleanor of Aquitaine. They had four children together.