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| successor = [[Philip the Good]]
| successor = [[Philip the Good]]
| spouse = [[John, Dauphin of France (1398-1417)|John, Dauphin of France]]<br />m. 1415; dec. 1417<br />[[John IV, Duke of Brabant]]<br />m. 1418; ann. 1422<ref name="marr">see text</ref><br />[[Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester]]<br />m. 1423; ann. 1428<ref name="marr" /><br />[[Frank van Borssele]]<br />m. 1434; wid. 1436
| spouse = [[John, Dauphin of France (1398-1417)|John, Dauphin of France]]<br />m. 1415; dec. 1417<br />[[John IV, Duke of Brabant]]<br />m. 1418; ann. 1422<ref name="marr">see text</ref><br />[[Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester]]<br />m. 1423; ann. 1428<ref name="marr" /><br />[[Frank van Borssele]]<br />m. 1434; wid. 1436
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1401|8|16|df=yes}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1401|7|15|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Le Quesnoy|Castle of Le Quesnoy]], [[County of Hainaut|Hainaut]]
| birth_place = [[The Hague]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1436|10|8|1401|8|16|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1436|10|8|1401|7|15|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Slot Teylingen|Teylingen Castle]], near [[Leiden]]
| death_place = [[Slot Teylingen|Teylingen Castle]], near [[Leiden]]
| place of burial = The Hague, [[Holland]]
| place of burial = The Hague, [[Holland]]
Line 17: Line 17:
| house = [[House of Wittelsbach]]
| house = [[House of Wittelsbach]]
}}
}}
'''Jacqueline''' ({{lang-nl|Jacoba van Beieren}}; {{lang-fr|Jacqueline de Bavière}}; 16 August 1401&nbsp;– 8 October 1436) was Duchess of [[Bavaria-Straubing]], [[Count of Holland|Countess of Holland and Zeeland]] and [[Count of Hainaut|Countess of Hainaut]] from 1417 to 1433. She was also [[Dauphine of France]] for a short time between 1415 and 1417 and Duchess of Gloucester in the 1420s, if her marriage to [[Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester]], is accepted as valid.
'''Jacqueline''' ({{lang-nl|Jacoba van Beieren}}; {{lang-fr|Jacqueline de Bavière}}; 15 July 1401&nbsp;– 8 October 1436), was a Duchess of [[Bavaria-Straubing]], [[Count of Holland|Countess of Holland and Zeeland]] and [[Count of Hainaut|Countess of Hainaut]] from 1417 to 1433. She was also [[Dauphine of France]] for a short time between 1415 and 1417 and Duchess of Gloucester in the 1420s, if her marriage to [[Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester]], is accepted as valid.

Born in the [[The Hague]], Jacqueline, from her birth, was referred to as "of Holland", indicating that she was the heiress of her father's estates.


Jacqueline was the last [[Wittelsbach]] ruler of Hainaut and Holland. Following her death, her estates passed into the inheritance of [[Philip the Good]], [[Duke of Burgundy]].
Jacqueline was the last [[Wittelsbach]] ruler of Hainaut and Holland. Following her death, her estates passed into the inheritance of [[Philip the Good]], [[Duke of Burgundy]].


==History==
==Life==

===Early life. Marriage to the Duke of Touraine===
===Early life. Marriage with John, Duke of Touraine===
⚫
Born in the [[Le Quesnoy|Castle of Le Quesnoy]] in [[County of Hainaut|Hainaut]], Jacqueline, from her birth, was referred to as "of Holland", indicating that she was the heiress of her father's estates. She was the only daughter of [[William II, Duke of Bavaria]] (also known as William VI, Count of Holland) from his marriage with [[Margaret of Burgundy (1374-1441)|Margaret of Burgundy]], daughter of [[Margaret III of Flanders]] and [[Philip the Bold]]. At the age of only 22 months (in Paris on 5 May 1403) and again at the age of five (in [[Compiègne]] on 29 June 1406), Jacqueline was betrothed to [[John, Dauphin of France (1398-1417)|John, Duke of Touraine]], fourth son of King [[Charles VI of France]] and Queen [[Isabeau of Bavaria]]. Both children were brought up in the Castle of Le Quesnoy, Jacqueline's birthplace. The boy had been given into tutelage of his father-in-law, since he was expected to succeed as ruler in Hainaut and not in any way in France itself.<ref>A. Janse, Een pion voor een dame, p.&nbsp;54–56</ref> On 22 April 1411 the Pope gave his dispensation for the union and on 6 August 1415, when Jacqueline was fourteen, she and John married in [[The Hague]].<ref>A. Janse, p.&nbsp;81–84</ref>

She was the only daughter of [[William II, Duke of Bavaria]] (also known as William VI, Count of Holland) from his marriage with [[Margaret of Burgundy (1374-1441)|Margaret]], a daughter of [[Philip the Bold]], [[Duke of Burgundy]] and [[Margaret III of Flanders|Margaret III, Countess of Flanders]].

⚫
At the age of only 22 months (in Paris on 5 May 1403) and again at the age of 4 (in [[Compiègne]] on 29 June 1406), Jacqueline was betrothed to [[John, Dauphin of France (1398-1417)|John, Duke of Touraine]], fourth son of King [[Charles VI of France]] and Queen [[Isabeau of Bavaria]]. Both children were brought up in the [[Le Quesnoy|Castle of Le Quesnoy]] in [[County of Hainaut|Hainaut]]. The boy had been given into tutelage of his future father-in-law, since he was expected to succeed as ruler in Hainaut and not in any way in France itself.<ref>A. Janse, Een pion voor een dame, p.&nbsp;54–56</ref> On 22 April 1411 the Pope gave his dispensation for the union and on 6 August 1415, when Jacqueline was fourteen, she and John married in [[The Hague]].<ref>A. Janse, p.&nbsp;81–84</ref> With this marriage, Duke William II wanted to secure the succession of his daughter to his domains; although he had at least nine illegitimate children, Jacqueline was his only legitimate offspring and as a female, her rights would be contested by her paternal uncle [[John III, Duke of Bavaria|Bishop John of Liège]] and her cousin [[Philip the Good]], Duke of Burgundy since 1419.

Four months after the wedding, on 15 December 1415, John's elder brother [[Louis, Dauphin of France (1397-1415)|Louis]], [[Dauphin of France]] died, and thus John became in the new Dauphin and heir to the throne, with Jacqueline as the Dauphine and future Queen consort. Duke William II, who had raised John since childhood, as the father-in-law of the future King obtained a considerable influence at the French court; however, despite this he was less successful in his efforts with the German King [[Sigismund of Luxembourg]] to recognize Jacqueline as his rightful heir in the Counties of Holland, Zeeland and Hainaut. The Holland ''[[Landstände]]'' finally refused to accepted the succession of Jacqueline in 1416. At this time, Duke William II didn't known that he had only months of life.

Dauphin John died (probably poisoned) on 4 April 1417, leaving Jacqueline as a widow aged 16. Two months later, on 31 May, she unexpectedly lost her father. Duke William II was bitten by a dog, who caused a blood infection who quickly kill him. The politically inexperienced Jacqueline now had to fight for her inheritance. But she wasn't the only one who was interested in the rule of the Duchy of Bavaria-Straubing and the County of Holland.

⚫
===Marriage with John IV, Duke of Brabant. War with John III===

In Hainaut, where female succession was long customary, Jacqueline had been recognized as sovereign Countess on 13 June, but in Holland and Zeeland her rights were controversial from the beginning. While the old aristocracy supported her, the municipal party supported her uncle [[John III, Duke of Bavaria|John III]], the youngest brother of her father and since 1389 the elected Bishop of Liège, although he was never fully ordained. Even before William II's death, he had expected to became in his successor and and for he gave up to his diocese. At the advice of her mother, Jacqueline initially gave her uncle the title of Guardian and Defender of the County of Hainaut (''Hüters und Verteidigers des Landes Hennegau'') in order to forestall his ambitions.<ref>Léopold Devillers: ''Cartulaire des Comtes de Hainaut de l’avènement de Guillaume II à la mort de Jacqueline de Bavière'', vol. IV, Hayez, Brüssels 1889, Nº. 1157, p. 91.</ref> However, the German King Sigismund, who had already been against Jacqueline's rights since 1416, formally enfeoffed John III with the counties of his deceased brother and marry him with his niece [[Elisabeth, Duchess of Luxembourg|Elisabeth of Görlitz]], Duchess of Luxembourg and widow of [[Anthony, Duke of Brabant]], who died in the [[Battle of Agincourt]] in 1415.

Jacqueline also remarried, but her election of husband was unfortunate. [[John IV, Duke of Brabant]], stepson of Elisabeth of Görlitz, succeed his father Anthony as Duke of Brabant, was the chosen one to be her second husband; modern historians believed that this decision was widely influenced by Jacqueline's mother and uncle John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy.<ref>Antheun Janse: ''Een pion voor een dame'', p. 121.</ref> On 31 July 1417, two months after William II's death, the betrothal between Jacqueline and John IV took place, and the wedding was celebrated in The Hague on 10 March 1418. However, the union proved to be a failure. The close relationship between the spouses required a papal dispensation, who, although was granted in December 1417 was revoked in January 1418 in the [[Council of Constance]] thanks to the intrigues of Jacqueline's opponents, including King Sigismund of Luxembourg.<ref>Léopold Devillers: ''Cartulaire des Comtes de Hainaut de l’avènement de Guillaume II à la mort de Jacqueline de Bavière'', vol. IV, Hayez, Brüssels 1889, Nº. 1173, p. 109, Nº. 1174, p. 111.</ref> In addition to this, the considerable financial problems of the young Duke John IV and his weak political leadership increased the conflicts inside the marriage.


John III, with the support of King Sigismund and the Cods, took the arms against Jacqueline, who was supported by the Hooks, this civil war was known as the ''[[Hook and Cod wars]]''. The troops of uncle and niece met in the Battle of Gorkum in 1417; Jacqueline was victorious, but was forced to leave the major trading city of [[Dordrecht]]. In addition, her marital status was again questioned thanks to her uncle, who claimed that without papal dispensation the union was annuled;<ref>Léopold Devillers: ''Cartulaire des Comtes de Hainaut de l’avènement de Guillaume II à la mort de Jacqueline de Bavière'', vol. IV, Hayez, Brüssels 1889, Nº. 1199, p. 158.</ref> this caused even more misgivings in Jacqueline about to maintain her marriage. Even worse, on 29 May 1418 and against the express wishes of King Sigismund, John IV pledged the district of Mons; this caused that Jacqueline in 1419 signed the Compensation of Workum (''Ausgleich von Workum'') with her cousin Philip the Good, future Duke of Burgundy, under which for a monetary compensation she ceded to him the districts of Dordrecht, [[Gorkum]] and [[Rotterdam]].<ref>Léopold Devillers: ''Cartulaire des Comtes de Hainaut de l’avènement de Guillaume II à la mort de Jacqueline de Bavière'', vol. IV, Hayez, Brüssels 1889, Nº. 1228, p. 187.</ref>
On 15 December 1415 John's elder brother [[Louis, Dauphin of France (1397-1415)|Louis]], the [[Dauphin of France]], died, and John became the new Dauphin and heir to the throne. But John died on 4 April 1417. Two months later, on 31 May, Jacqueline also lost her father.


John III agreed to recognized the legitimacy of the marriage between Jacqueline and John IV of Brabant if only received a high financial compensation the governmente for the next five years of the regions dominated by the spouses; however, the intervention of [[Pope Martin V]] finally ended the controversy with granting the papal dispensation on May 1419.<ref>Léopold Devillers: ''Cartulaire des Comtes de Hainaut de l’avènement de Guillaume II à la mort de Jacqueline de Bavière'', vol. IV, Hayez, Brüssels 1889, Nº. 1235, p. 199.</ref> John IV, always heavily indebted and against the will of his wife signed with John III the Treaty of St. Martinsdyk, under which he gave to Jacqueline's uncle full custody over Holland and Zeeland for the next 12 years.<ref>A. Janse, p. 179</ref><ref>Léopold Devillers: ''Cartulaire des Comtes de Hainaut de l’avènement de Guillaume II à la mort de Jacqueline de Bavière'', vol. IV, Hayez, Brüssels 1889, Nº. 1251, p. 200; Frans van Mieris: ''Groot charterboek der graaven van Holland, van Zeeland en heeren van Vriesland''. vol. IV, van der Eyk, Leyden 1756, p. 545.</ref> In exchange, John III gave a monetary compensation to the couple and left them the County of Hainaut; however, this was a little consolation for Jacqueline, whose subjects of Holland, Zeeland and Friesland were released from their oath of allegiance under the terms of the treaty. Finally, John IV also pledged Hainaut to improve his financial situation; for Jacqueline, this was enough: she and her allies began to obtain the formal separation from John IV, and without being resolved this matter, she abandoned her husband and secretly left for [[Kingdom of England|England]] at the invitation of King [[Henry V of England|Henry V]].<ref>A. Janse, p.&nbsp;192–195</ref> She was an honoured guest at the court of England, and when the future Henry VI was born, Jacqueline was made one of his godparents.<ref>A. Janse, p. 200</ref>
===War with John III===
After her father's death, Jacqueline was acknowledged as sovereign in Holland, Zeeland and Hainaut. However, her uncle, [[John, Duke of Bavaria-Straubing|John III, duke of Bavaria-Straubing]] and [[bishop of Liège]], also claimed Holland and Zeeland as his rightful inheritance. This reignited the civil war between the [[Hook and Cod wars|Hooks and the Cods]] anew. While Jacqueline was backed by the Hook party, the Cods turned towards her uncle.


===Marriage with Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester and its aftermath===
===Second Marriage===
Jacqueline's position was too weak for her to hold on her own and therefore she remarried. In 1418, her uncle and guardian, [[John the Fearless]], Duke of Burgundy, arranged a marriage to her cousin, [[John IV, Duke of Brabant]] and Limbourg. However, John IV proved to be a weak political leader and he gave John III full custody over Holland and Zeeland for 12 years in 1420.<ref>A. Janse, p. 179</ref> After this waste of her inheritance, Jacqueline and her allies decided to dissolve the marriage. They claimed it was never valid as they were too closely related and she secretly left for [[Kingdom of England|England]] at the invitation of [[Henry V of England|Henry V]].<ref>A. Janse, p.&nbsp;192–195</ref> She was an honoured guest at the court of England, and when the future Henry VI was born, Jacqueline was made one of his godparents.<ref>A. Janse, p. 200</ref>


⚫
===Marriage to the Duke of Gloucester and its aftermath===
It was only after the unexpected death of Henry V in 1422 that Jacqueline obtained a dubious divorce from John of Brabant valid in England that allowed a marriage to Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester.<ref>Alfred H.Burne, "The Hundred Years War," (1st ed., 1955; Folio soc., 2005), 371</ref> However, as not all rules were observed, the marriage was arranged in haste and in secret in the town of [[Hadleigh, Essex]], sometime before 7 March 1423.
It was only after the unexpected death of Henry V in 1422 that Jacqueline obtained a dubious divorce from John of Brabant valid in England that allowed a marriage to Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester.<ref>Alfred H.Burne, "The Hundred Years War," (1st ed., 1955; Folio soc., 2005), 371</ref> However, as not all rules were observed, the marriage was arranged in haste and in secret in the town of [[Hadleigh, Essex]], sometime before 7 March 1423.


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===War in Holland===
===War in Holland===

[[File:Jacoba van Beieren (1401-1436), gravin van Holland en Zeeland.jpg|thumb|left|Jacqueline, Countess of Holland and Zeeland, ca. 1435.]]Her situation changed when her uncle John III of Bavaria died on 6 January 1425, the victim of poisoning. John IV, Duke of Brabant, still claimed rights over Holland, Zeeland and Hainault and made Philip, Duke of Burgundy, regent of Holland and Zeeland, like he had done before with John III.
[[File:Jacoba van Beieren (1401-1436), gravin van Holland en Zeeland.jpg|thumb|left|Jacqueline, Countess of Holland and Zeeland, ca. 1435.]]Her situation changed when her uncle John III of Bavaria died on 6 January 1425, the victim of poisoning. John IV, Duke of Brabant, still claimed rights over Holland, Zeeland and Hainault and made Philip, Duke of Burgundy, regent of Holland and Zeeland, like he had done before with John III.
Jacqueline escaped her imprisonment in Ghent disguised in men's clothes and fled to [[Schoonhoven]] and later to [[Gouda]], where she stayed with the leaders of the Hook faction. Now it was her former husband, John of Brabant, who tried to dispute her inheritance. In this matter, Humphrey did intervene, albeit with limited force, with disastrous consequences for the English-Burgundian alliance that aided the English cause in France during the [[Hundred Years' War]]. Pope Martin V decreed that Jacqueline was still the wife of John IV, Duke of Brabant, and therefore her marriage to Humphrey of Gloucester was illegitimate.<ref>A. Janse, p.&nbsp;279–280</ref> However, John IV had died a year earlier.
Jacqueline escaped her imprisonment in Ghent disguised in men's clothes and fled to [[Schoonhoven]] and later to [[Gouda]], where she stayed with the leaders of the Hook faction. Now it was her former husband, John of Brabant, who tried to dispute her inheritance. In this matter, Humphrey did intervene, albeit with limited force, with disastrous consequences for the English-Burgundian alliance that aided the English cause in France during the [[Hundred Years' War]]. Pope Martin V decreed that Jacqueline was still the wife of John IV, Duke of Brabant, and therefore her marriage to Humphrey of Gloucester was illegitimate.<ref>A. Janse, p.&nbsp;279–280</ref> However, John IV had died a year earlier.


===Peace and the loss of her lands===
===Peace and the loss of her lands===

On 3 July 1428 Jacqueline had to agree to a peace treaty, [[Treaty of Delft|Reconciliation of Delft]] (''de Zoen van Delft''), with the duke of Burgundy. By this treaty, Jacqueline kept her titles of Countess of Holland, Zeeland and Hainaut, but the administration of her territories was placed in the hands of Philip, who was also appointed as her heir in case she died without children. She was not allowed to marry without the permission of her mother, Philip and the three counties.
On 3 July 1428 Jacqueline had to agree to a peace treaty, [[Treaty of Delft|Reconciliation of Delft]] (''de Zoen van Delft''), with the duke of Burgundy. By this treaty, Jacqueline kept her titles of Countess of Holland, Zeeland and Hainaut, but the administration of her territories was placed in the hands of Philip, who was also appointed as her heir in case she died without children. She was not allowed to marry without the permission of her mother, Philip and the three counties.
However, her financial situation was dire. She barely had enough income to support her household. Furthermore, the duke of Burgundy did not stop after the peace treaty in 1428. He bought the loyalty of her allies or enstranged them from her in another way.<ref>A. Janse, p.&nbsp;312–316</ref> At Easter 1433, Jacqueline "voluntarily" gave Philip all her lands and titles. In return she was allowed the income of several estates, mostly situated in Zeeland.<ref>For a complete list see: A. Janse, p. 316</ref>
However, her financial situation was dire. She barely had enough income to support her household. Furthermore, the duke of Burgundy did not stop after the peace treaty in 1428. He bought the loyalty of her allies or enstranged them from her in another way.<ref>A. Janse, p.&nbsp;312–316</ref> At Easter 1433, Jacqueline "voluntarily" gave Philip all her lands and titles. In return she was allowed the income of several estates, mostly situated in Zeeland.<ref>For a complete list see: A. Janse, p. 316</ref>


===Fourth marriage and final days===
===Fourth marriage and final days===

With the renunctiation of her titles, Jacqueline retired to her land in Zeeland. There, she and [[Frank van Borssele|Francis, Lord of Borssele]] ("Frank van Borssele"), a local and powerful nobleman, became close. In the spring of 1434 they married and Philip granted Frank the title of Count of Oostervant.<ref>A. Janse, p. 326</ref> This marriage, contrary to the other three, was one out of love, at least for Jacqueline.<ref>A. Janse, p. 326, Graven van Holland, p. 143</ref> It did not last long. In 1436 she became ill and after a few months of illness she died of [[tuberculosis]]<ref>A. Janse, p. 329 – 331</ref> in [[Slot Teylingen|Teylingen Castle]] on 8 October 1436. Since she had no children, Philip of Burgundy inherited Hainaut and Holland. Her husband Frank survived her for thirty-four years.
With the renunctiation of her titles, Jacqueline retired to her land in Zeeland. There, she and [[Frank van Borssele|Francis, Lord of Borssele]] ("Frank van Borssele"), a local and powerful nobleman, became close. In the spring of 1434 they married and Philip granted Frank the title of Count of Oostervant.<ref>A. Janse, p. 326</ref> This marriage, contrary to the other three, was one out of love, at least for Jacqueline.<ref>A. Janse, p. 326, Graven van Holland, p. 143</ref> It did not last long. In 1436 she became ill and after a few months of illness she died of [[tuberculosis]]<ref>A. Janse, p. 329 – 331</ref> in [[Slot Teylingen|Teylingen Castle]] on 8 October 1436. Since she had no children, Philip of Burgundy inherited Hainaut and Holland. Her husband Frank survived her for thirty-four years.


==Legends==
==Legends==

There are many legends surrounding the life of Jacqueline. The most prevalent one is her supposed secret marriage to Francis of Borssele in 1432, two years prior to their public and official wedding. This secret marriage was supposed to be the real reason why she had to give up her titles and give them to the duke of Burgundy as it would violate the regulations in the peace treaty of 1428. However, there is no evidence that such a secret marriage has ever taken place and contemporary sources only mention the rumours of an upcoming wedding between Jacqueline and Francis at the end of 1433, half a year after Jacqueline renounced her titles.<ref>Graven van Holland, p.&nbsp;141–143; for a full argumentation against this legend see: A. Janse, p.&nbsp;288–326,</ref>
There are many legends surrounding the life of Jacqueline. The most prevalent one is her supposed secret marriage to Francis of Borssele in 1432, two years prior to their public and official wedding. This secret marriage was supposed to be the real reason why she had to give up her titles and give them to the duke of Burgundy as it would violate the regulations in the peace treaty of 1428. However, there is no evidence that such a secret marriage has ever taken place and contemporary sources only mention the rumours of an upcoming wedding between Jacqueline and Francis at the end of 1433, half a year after Jacqueline renounced her titles.<ref>Graven van Holland, p.&nbsp;141–143; for a full argumentation against this legend see: A. Janse, p.&nbsp;288–326,</ref>


==Ancestry==
==Ancestry==

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==Notes==
==Notes==

{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|2}}


==References==
==References==

* Antheun JANSE, ''Een pion voor een dame. Jacoba van Beieren (1401–1436)'', Amsterdam, Uitgeverij Balans, 2009, 400 p. (ISBN 978-94-6003-185-4).
* Antheun JANSE, ''Een pion voor een dame. Jacoba van Beieren (1401–1436)'', Amsterdam, Uitgeverij Balans, 2009, 400 p. (ISBN 978-94-6003-185-4).
* D.E.H. de Boer, E.H.P. Cordfunke. "Jacoba van Beieren (1417–1428) en Jan 'Zonder Genade' van Beieren (1418–1425)", In: Graven van Holland, Middeleeuwse Vorsten in Woord en Beeld (880-1580), 2010, p.&nbsp;135–145
* D.E.H. de Boer, E.H.P. Cordfunke. "Jacoba van Beieren (1417–1428) en Jan 'Zonder Genade' van Beieren (1418–1425)", In: Graven van Holland, Middeleeuwse Vorsten in Woord en Beeld (880-1580), 2010, p.&nbsp;135–145

Revision as of 01:04, 20 June 2015

Jacqueline
Countess of Hainaut, Holland and Zeeland
Reign30 May 1417 – 12 April 1433
PredecessorWilliam IV and VI
SuccessorPhilip the Good
Born(1401-07-15)15 July 1401
The Hague
Died8 October 1436(1436-10-08) (aged 35)
Teylingen Castle, near Leiden
Burial
The Hague, Holland
SpouseJohn, Dauphin of France
m. 1415; dec. 1417
John IV, Duke of Brabant
m. 1418; ann. 1422[1]
Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester
m. 1423; ann. 1428[1]
Frank van Borssele
m. 1434; wid. 1436
HouseHouse of Wittelsbach
FatherWilliam II, Duke of Bavaria
MotherMargaret of Burgundy

Jacqueline (Dutch: Jacoba van Beieren; French: Jacqueline de Bavière; 15 July 1401 – 8 October 1436), was a Duchess of Bavaria-Straubing, Countess of Holland and Zeeland and Countess of Hainaut from 1417 to 1433. She was also Dauphine of France for a short time between 1415 and 1417 and Duchess of Gloucester in the 1420s, if her marriage to Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, is accepted as valid.

Born in the The Hague, Jacqueline, from her birth, was referred to as "of Holland", indicating that she was the heiress of her father's estates.

Jacqueline was the last Wittelsbach ruler of Hainaut and Holland. Following her death, her estates passed into the inheritance of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy.

Life

Early life. Marriage with John, Duke of Touraine

She was the only daughter of William II, Duke of Bavaria (also known as William VI, Count of Holland) from his marriage with Margaret, a daughter of Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy and Margaret III, Countess of Flanders.

At the age of only 22 months (in Paris on 5 May 1403) and again at the age of 4 (in Compiègne on 29 June 1406), Jacqueline was betrothed to John, Duke of Touraine, fourth son of King Charles VI of France and Queen Isabeau of Bavaria. Both children were brought up in the Castle of Le Quesnoy in Hainaut. The boy had been given into tutelage of his future father-in-law, since he was expected to succeed as ruler in Hainaut and not in any way in France itself.[2] On 22 April 1411 the Pope gave his dispensation for the union and on 6 August 1415, when Jacqueline was fourteen, she and John married in The Hague.[3] With this marriage, Duke William II wanted to secure the succession of his daughter to his domains; although he had at least nine illegitimate children, Jacqueline was his only legitimate offspring and as a female, her rights would be contested by her paternal uncle Bishop John of Liège and her cousin Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy since 1419.

Four months after the wedding, on 15 December 1415, John's elder brother Louis, Dauphin of France died, and thus John became in the new Dauphin and heir to the throne, with Jacqueline as the Dauphine and future Queen consort. Duke William II, who had raised John since childhood, as the father-in-law of the future King obtained a considerable influence at the French court; however, despite this he was less successful in his efforts with the German King Sigismund of Luxembourg to recognize Jacqueline as his rightful heir in the Counties of Holland, Zeeland and Hainaut. The Holland Landstände finally refused to accepted the succession of Jacqueline in 1416. At this time, Duke William II didn't known that he had only months of life.

Dauphin John died (probably poisoned) on 4 April 1417, leaving Jacqueline as a widow aged 16. Two months later, on 31 May, she unexpectedly lost her father. Duke William II was bitten by a dog, who caused a blood infection who quickly kill him. The politically inexperienced Jacqueline now had to fight for her inheritance. But she wasn't the only one who was interested in the rule of the Duchy of Bavaria-Straubing and the County of Holland.

Marriage with John IV, Duke of Brabant. War with John III

In Hainaut, where female succession was long customary, Jacqueline had been recognized as sovereign Countess on 13 June, but in Holland and Zeeland her rights were controversial from the beginning. While the old aristocracy supported her, the municipal party supported her uncle John III, the youngest brother of her father and since 1389 the elected Bishop of Liège, although he was never fully ordained. Even before William II's death, he had expected to became in his successor and and for he gave up to his diocese. At the advice of her mother, Jacqueline initially gave her uncle the title of Guardian and Defender of the County of Hainaut (Hüters und Verteidigers des Landes Hennegau) in order to forestall his ambitions.[4] However, the German King Sigismund, who had already been against Jacqueline's rights since 1416, formally enfeoffed John III with the counties of his deceased brother and marry him with his niece Elisabeth of Görlitz, Duchess of Luxembourg and widow of Anthony, Duke of Brabant, who died in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

Jacqueline also remarried, but her election of husband was unfortunate. John IV, Duke of Brabant, stepson of Elisabeth of Görlitz, succeed his father Anthony as Duke of Brabant, was the chosen one to be her second husband; modern historians believed that this decision was widely influenced by Jacqueline's mother and uncle John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy.[5] On 31 July 1417, two months after William II's death, the betrothal between Jacqueline and John IV took place, and the wedding was celebrated in The Hague on 10 March 1418. However, the union proved to be a failure. The close relationship between the spouses required a papal dispensation, who, although was granted in December 1417 was revoked in January 1418 in the Council of Constance thanks to the intrigues of Jacqueline's opponents, including King Sigismund of Luxembourg.[6] In addition to this, the considerable financial problems of the young Duke John IV and his weak political leadership increased the conflicts inside the marriage.

John III, with the support of King Sigismund and the Cods, took the arms against Jacqueline, who was supported by the Hooks, this civil war was known as the Hook and Cod wars. The troops of uncle and niece met in the Battle of Gorkum in 1417; Jacqueline was victorious, but was forced to leave the major trading city of Dordrecht. In addition, her marital status was again questioned thanks to her uncle, who claimed that without papal dispensation the union was annuled;[7] this caused even more misgivings in Jacqueline about to maintain her marriage. Even worse, on 29 May 1418 and against the express wishes of King Sigismund, John IV pledged the district of Mons; this caused that Jacqueline in 1419 signed the Compensation of Workum (Ausgleich von Workum) with her cousin Philip the Good, future Duke of Burgundy, under which for a monetary compensation she ceded to him the districts of Dordrecht, Gorkum and Rotterdam.[8]

John III agreed to recognized the legitimacy of the marriage between Jacqueline and John IV of Brabant if only received a high financial compensation the governmente for the next five years of the regions dominated by the spouses; however, the intervention of Pope Martin V finally ended the controversy with granting the papal dispensation on May 1419.[9] John IV, always heavily indebted and against the will of his wife signed with John III the Treaty of St. Martinsdyk, under which he gave to Jacqueline's uncle full custody over Holland and Zeeland for the next 12 years.[10][11] In exchange, John III gave a monetary compensation to the couple and left them the County of Hainaut; however, this was a little consolation for Jacqueline, whose subjects of Holland, Zeeland and Friesland were released from their oath of allegiance under the terms of the treaty. Finally, John IV also pledged Hainaut to improve his financial situation; for Jacqueline, this was enough: she and her allies began to obtain the formal separation from John IV, and without being resolved this matter, she abandoned her husband and secretly left for England at the invitation of King Henry V.[12] She was an honoured guest at the court of England, and when the future Henry VI was born, Jacqueline was made one of his godparents.[13]

Marriage with Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester and its aftermath

It was only after the unexpected death of Henry V in 1422 that Jacqueline obtained a dubious divorce from John of Brabant valid in England that allowed a marriage to Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester.[14] However, as not all rules were observed, the marriage was arranged in haste and in secret in the town of Hadleigh, Essex, sometime before 7 March 1423.

Jacqueline hoped that Humphrey would restore her to her counties but, being regent in England, he was occupied with affairs of state. Humphrey came to Hainaut, where he was acknowledged as the legitimate count, but had to leave before being able to do something about Holland and Zeeland, which denied his rights. He had to return to England, leaving Jacqueline behind in Hainaut. Philip the Good, the new duke of Burgundy, backed her (ex)husband John IV, and in 1425 she had to surrender to him and was imprisoned in Ghent.

War in Holland

Jacqueline, Countess of Holland and Zeeland, ca. 1435.

Her situation changed when her uncle John III of Bavaria died on 6 January 1425, the victim of poisoning. John IV, Duke of Brabant, still claimed rights over Holland, Zeeland and Hainault and made Philip, Duke of Burgundy, regent of Holland and Zeeland, like he had done before with John III.

Jacqueline escaped her imprisonment in Ghent disguised in men's clothes and fled to Schoonhoven and later to Gouda, where she stayed with the leaders of the Hook faction. Now it was her former husband, John of Brabant, who tried to dispute her inheritance. In this matter, Humphrey did intervene, albeit with limited force, with disastrous consequences for the English-Burgundian alliance that aided the English cause in France during the Hundred Years' War. Pope Martin V decreed that Jacqueline was still the wife of John IV, Duke of Brabant, and therefore her marriage to Humphrey of Gloucester was illegitimate.[15] However, John IV had died a year earlier.

Peace and the loss of her lands

On 3 July 1428 Jacqueline had to agree to a peace treaty, Reconciliation of Delft (de Zoen van Delft), with the duke of Burgundy. By this treaty, Jacqueline kept her titles of Countess of Holland, Zeeland and Hainaut, but the administration of her territories was placed in the hands of Philip, who was also appointed as her heir in case she died without children. She was not allowed to marry without the permission of her mother, Philip and the three counties. However, her financial situation was dire. She barely had enough income to support her household. Furthermore, the duke of Burgundy did not stop after the peace treaty in 1428. He bought the loyalty of her allies or enstranged them from her in another way.[16] At Easter 1433, Jacqueline "voluntarily" gave Philip all her lands and titles. In return she was allowed the income of several estates, mostly situated in Zeeland.[17]

Fourth marriage and final days

With the renunctiation of her titles, Jacqueline retired to her land in Zeeland. There, she and Francis, Lord of Borssele ("Frank van Borssele"), a local and powerful nobleman, became close. In the spring of 1434 they married and Philip granted Frank the title of Count of Oostervant.[18] This marriage, contrary to the other three, was one out of love, at least for Jacqueline.[19] It did not last long. In 1436 she became ill and after a few months of illness she died of tuberculosis[20] in Teylingen Castle on 8 October 1436. Since she had no children, Philip of Burgundy inherited Hainaut and Holland. Her husband Frank survived her for thirty-four years.

Legends

There are many legends surrounding the life of Jacqueline. The most prevalent one is her supposed secret marriage to Francis of Borssele in 1432, two years prior to their public and official wedding. This secret marriage was supposed to be the real reason why she had to give up her titles and give them to the duke of Burgundy as it would violate the regulations in the peace treaty of 1428. However, there is no evidence that such a secret marriage has ever taken place and contemporary sources only mention the rumours of an upcoming wedding between Jacqueline and Francis at the end of 1433, half a year after Jacqueline renounced her titles.[21]

Ancestry

Family of Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut
16. Louis II, Duke of Bavaria
8. Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor
17. Matilda of Habsburg
4. Albert I, Duke of Bavaria
18. William I, Count of Hainaut
9. Margaret II, Countess of Hainault
19. Joan of Valois
2. William II, Duke of Bavaria
20. Bolesław III the Generous
10. Ludwik I the Fair
21. Margaret of Bohemia
5. Margaret of Brieg
22. Henry IV the Faithful
11. Agnes of Głogów
23. Matilda of Brandenburg
1. Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut
24. Louis I of Flanders
12. Louis II of Flanders
25. Margaret I, Countess of Burgundy
6. Margaret III of Flanders
26. John III, Duke of Brabant
13. Margaret of Brabant
27. Marie d'Évreux
3. Margaret of Burgundy
28. Philip VI of France
14. John II of France
29. Joan of Burgundy
7. Philip the Bold
30. John I of Bohemia
15. Bonne of Bohemia
31. Elisabeth of Bohemia

Notes

  1. ^ a b see text
  2. ^ A. Janse, Een pion voor een dame, p. 54–56
  3. ^ A. Janse, p. 81–84
  4. ^ Léopold Devillers: Cartulaire des Comtes de Hainaut de l’avènement de Guillaume II à la mort de Jacqueline de Bavière, vol. IV, Hayez, Brüssels 1889, Nº. 1157, p. 91.
  5. ^ Antheun Janse: Een pion voor een dame, p. 121.
  6. ^ Léopold Devillers: Cartulaire des Comtes de Hainaut de l’avènement de Guillaume II à la mort de Jacqueline de Bavière, vol. IV, Hayez, Brüssels 1889, Nº. 1173, p. 109, Nº. 1174, p. 111.
  7. ^ Léopold Devillers: Cartulaire des Comtes de Hainaut de l’avènement de Guillaume II à la mort de Jacqueline de Bavière, vol. IV, Hayez, Brüssels 1889, Nº. 1199, p. 158.
  8. ^ Léopold Devillers: Cartulaire des Comtes de Hainaut de l’avènement de Guillaume II à la mort de Jacqueline de Bavière, vol. IV, Hayez, Brüssels 1889, Nº. 1228, p. 187.
  9. ^ Léopold Devillers: Cartulaire des Comtes de Hainaut de l’avènement de Guillaume II à la mort de Jacqueline de Bavière, vol. IV, Hayez, Brüssels 1889, Nº. 1235, p. 199.
  10. ^ A. Janse, p. 179
  11. ^ Léopold Devillers: Cartulaire des Comtes de Hainaut de l’avènement de Guillaume II à la mort de Jacqueline de Bavière, vol. IV, Hayez, Brüssels 1889, Nº. 1251, p. 200; Frans van Mieris: Groot charterboek der graaven van Holland, van Zeeland en heeren van Vriesland. vol. IV, van der Eyk, Leyden 1756, p. 545.
  12. ^ A. Janse, p. 192–195
  13. ^ A. Janse, p. 200
  14. ^ Alfred H.Burne, "The Hundred Years War," (1st ed., 1955; Folio soc., 2005), 371
  15. ^ A. Janse, p. 279–280
  16. ^ A. Janse, p. 312–316
  17. ^ For a complete list see: A. Janse, p. 316
  18. ^ A. Janse, p. 326
  19. ^ A. Janse, p. 326, Graven van Holland, p. 143
  20. ^ A. Janse, p. 329 – 331
  21. ^ Graven van Holland, p. 141–143; for a full argumentation against this legend see: A. Janse, p. 288–326,

References

  • Antheun JANSE, Een pion voor een dame. Jacoba van Beieren (1401–1436), Amsterdam, Uitgeverij Balans, 2009, 400 p. (ISBN 978-94-6003-185-4).
  • D.E.H. de Boer, E.H.P. Cordfunke. "Jacoba van Beieren (1417–1428) en Jan 'Zonder Genade' van Beieren (1418–1425)", In: Graven van Holland, Middeleeuwse Vorsten in Woord en Beeld (880-1580), 2010, p. 135–145
  • Public Domain This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut
Born: 1401 Died: 1436
Regnal titles
Preceded by Countess of Hainaut, Holland and Zeeland
1417–1432 		Succeeded by

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