Enguerrand de Coucy | |
|---|---|
| Lord of Coucy | |
 Death of Enguerrand III, Lord of Coucy | |
| Tenure | 1191–1242 |
| Predecessor | Ralph I, Lord of Coucy |
| Successor | Raoul II, Lord of Coucy |
| Born | c. 1182 Marle,Picardy, France |
| Died | 1242 Coucy, Picardy, France |
| Residence | Château de Coucy |
| Spouse(s) | Beatrix de Vignory Matilda of Saxony Marie de Montmirail [fr] |
| Issue | Raoul II, Lord of Coucy Enguerrand IV, Lord of Coucy John de Coucy, Lord of Amboise Marie, Queen of Scotland Alix de Coucy, Countess of Guînes |
| Parents | Ralph I, Lord of Coucy Alix de Dreux [fr] |
Enguerrand III de Boves, Lord of Coucy (c. 1182 – 1242) was a medieval French nobleman. The eldest son and successor ofRalph I, Lord of Coucy (c. 1134 – 1191) andAlix de Dreux [fr],[1] he succeeded as Lord ofCoucy (sieur de Couci) in 1191, and held it until his death; he was also lord ofMarle andBoves.
Enguerrand III was born in Marle,Picardy, France. He became one of the most ambitious and powerful of all the French nobles, called by one historian "the greatest baron in all Picardy",[2] and earning himself his epithet,Enguerrand le Grand, or Enguerrand "the Great".
Enguerrand had an illustrious military career, helping KingPhilip II of France reduce the French territories of the King of England. Enguerrand campaigned inAnjou in 1205, and in 1214, fought in the French victory over an Anglo-German alliance at theBattle of Bouvines led byPhilip II Augustus. His arms atBouvines were blazoned:Barry of six vair and gules. He was a notable member of the French force which invaded theKingdom of England (1216–1217) to deposeKing John. He also participated in theAlbigensian Crusade.
After the death of KingLouis VIII of France, Enguerrand was chief among the nobles who resisted the regency ofBlanche of Castile for her sonLouis IX of France, although he eventually returned to the royal favor. Enguerrand made his mark on the Picardy landscape by constructingCoucy Castle.
Enguerrand is said by tradition to have started the famous rhyme associated with his successors:
Je suis ni roi, ni prince, ni comte aussi:
Je suis le sire de Coucy!I am not king nor prince nor count either:
I am the Sire of Coucy!
Through his mother Alix de Dreux, Enguerrand III was related to KingLouis IX of France. Enguerrand also married into the family of KingHenry III of England, taking as his second wife the latter king's cousin, who was the granddaughter of KingHenry II of England.
He married three times.
His first wife was Beatrice de Vignory,[1] widow ofJohn I, Count of Roucy (1196–1200). They married in 1201. There are no known children from this marriage.
His second wife wasMatilda of Saxony,[1] a daughter ofHenry the Lion, Duke of Bavaria and Saxony, by his second wife,Matilda of England, daughter of King Henry II. Matilda of Saxony was thus also the niece of KingRichard the Lion-hearted. This marriage took place in 1204. There are no known children from this marriage.
His third wife wasMarie de Montmirail [fr], daughter ofJean de Montmirail, Lord of Condé .[3] At the end of the 12th century, Enguerrand built the originalChâteau de Condé inCondé, Picardy, constructed as a "keep" which had 2 meters thick walls and towering chimneys. Enguerrand and Marie had five children:
In 1242, Enguerrand III died by falling off of his horse onto his sword atCoucy, Picardy. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Raoul II.
| Preceded by | Lord of Coucy 1191–1241 | Succeeded by |