Catherine I of Courtenay
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Catherine I of Courtenay (1274–1307/8) was Titular Empress of Constantinople from 1283 to her death in 1307/8.
[edit] Life
She was the daughter of the Titular Emperor of Constantinople Philip I of Courtenay by Beatrice of Sicily. Her maternal grandparents were King Charles I of Sicily and Countess Beatrice of Provence. The senior Beatrice was the fourth daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy.
On her father's death in 1283, Catherine inherited his claims to the throne of Constaninople and was recognized as empress by the Latin states in Greece. On February 8, 1301, she married Count Charles of Valois, son of King Philip III of France and Isabella of Aragon. Charles became titular emperor with Catherine until her death in January 1307 or 1308.
[edit] Family
By Charles of Valois, Catherine I had four children:
- John, Count of Chartres (1302–1308).
- Catherine II of Valois, Princess of Achaea, titular Empress of Constantinople (1303–1346). She married Philip I d'Anjou, Prince of Taranto and had issue.
- Jeanne de Valois (1304–1363). Married Count Robert III of Artois and had issue.
- Isabel of Valois (1305–1349), Abbess of Fontevrault.
| Preceded by Philip I |
Titular Latin Empress 1283–1308 with Charles of Valois 1301–1308 |
Succeeded by Catherine II |
[edit] References
- Peter Lock, The Franks in the Aegean 1204–1500, New York, 1995.
