FERRAND OF PORTUGAL

(1188-1233). Ferrand of Portugal became count of Flanders and Hainaut when he married the young Jeanne de Constantinople, countess of Flanders and Hainaut, in 1212. The marriage was arranged with the permission of Philip II Augustus, who believed that it would secure the two counties for France and also align him to Portugal. Ferrand, however, refused to recognize Philip’s sovereignty. In 1212, several kings and nobles, including Emperor Otto IV and King John of England, as well as Ferrand, rose against Philip. Philip defeated his foes at the Battle of Bouvines on July 27, 1214, and captured Ferrand, who was imprisoned in the Louvre until January 6, 1227. He was finally freed when Jeanne threatened to divorce him and marry Pierre de Dreux, duke of Brittany, a match less appealing to the new French king, Louis VIII. Ferrand returned to Flanders, where he continued to rule his two counties until his death in Noyon from hepatitis.

Kelly De Vries

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