John I, Count of Blois
Encyclopedia
Count of Blois
The County of Blois was originally centred on Blois, south of Paris, France. One of the chief cities, along with Blois itself, was Chartres. Blois was associated with Champagne, Châtillon , and later with the French royal family, to whom the county passed in 1391...
from 1241 to 1280 and lord of Avesnes.
He was the son of Hugh I of Châtillon and Marie of Avesnes.
In 1254, John married Alix of Brittany, Dame de Pontarcy
Alix of Brittany, Dame de Pontarcy
Alix of Brittany, Dame de Pontarcy, Countess of Blois , was a Breton noblewoman and a member of the House of Dreux as the eldest daughter of John I, Duke of Brittany. She married John I, Count of Blois...
(d. 1287), daughter of John I, Duke of Brittany
John I, Duke of Brittany
John I the Red , known as John the Red due to the colour of his beard, was Duke of Brittany, from 1237 to his death...
and Blanche of Navarre. They had one child, Joanne. In 1256, he reunited Chartres with Blois
Blois
Blois is the capital of Loir-et-Cher department in central France, situated on the banks of the lower river Loire between Orléans and Tours.-History:...
on the death of his cousin Mathilde of Amboise. He passed these lands on to Joanne before his death.
John and his wife founded several religious institutions, including the Monastery of La Guiche.
In 1260 John granted the parish of Chouzy the right to organize a match of joule (a precursor of rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
) on Whitsun
Whitsun
Whitsun is the name used in the UK for the Christian festival of Pentecost, the seventh Sunday after Easter, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Christ's disciples...
, a right that was practised for more than 5 centuries. It was an example for other parishes, who obtained similar privileges from their lords.
He was named Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
of France in 1270.