[Mary 13] Theobald II, duke of Lorraine

True Name: Thiébaud
Parents: Frederick III, duke of Lorraine, and Margaret of Navarre

Date of Birth: 1263

House: Ardennes-Metz
Spouse: Isabella, daughter of Hugh, lord of Rumigny, and Philippine d'Oulche

Predecessor: Frederick III

Reign: 1303 – 1312

Summary: Very little is known about Theobald's youth growing up in France. He married in 1278 to a local lady and produced seven children with her, most of whom became political pawns in Lotharingen diplomacy. The earliest mention of him outside of his baptismal and marriage records is in 1298, when he took part in the Battle of Göllheim in Speyer, Germany. During that battle, Adolph, king of Germany, was killed while fighting Albert von Habsburg. Theobald was fighting on Albert's side in the battle which is unusual for a Lotharingen monarch since generally the dukes of Lorraine fought in favor of the reigning German emperor. In 1302, Theobald was instrumental in assisting his cousin, Joan I of Navarre, marry King Philip IV of France. That same year, Theobald participated in the Battle of the Golden Spurs at Kortrijik, although his role in the battle is untold. His father died soon after and Theobald became duke of Lorraine.

Little changed when he became duke. Theobald supported the French in the Battle of Mons-en-Pévèle in 1304 alongside the French king. Afterwards, the duke, as well as Duke John II of Brabant and Count Amadeus V of Savoy, travelled to Flanders to negotiate a peace treaty between the warring states. Soon after that conference, Theobald travelled to Lyon were he was witness to the coronation of Pope Clement V. Clement instructed Theobald to tax the clergy in Lorraine and he did so, even against the hostility presented by the bishop of Metz. Of the last seven years of his life, nothing is known. Theobald II died in 1312 and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son, Frederick IV.

Date of Death: 13 May 1312

Successor: Frederick IV

Other Monarch Deaths:

Matthias I, duke of Lorraine (1176)

Ludwig IX, landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt (1742)

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