[August 17] Eustace IV, count of Boulogne

Parents: Stephen, king of England, and Matilda I, countess of Boulogne
Date of Birth: circa 1127
House: Blois
Spouse(s): Constance, daughter of Louis VI, king of France, and Adélaide of Maurienne
Predecessor: Matilda I
Reign: 1146 – 1153
Summary: The eldest son of Stephen, the future usurping king of England, Eustace was destined for an interesting life. Although born before 1131, little is known about Eustace before he appeared in the history books doing homage to King Louis VII of France in 1137. He eventually married Louis' sister, Constance, in 1140. Eustace's mother was the countess of Boulogne in France and made Eustace co-count in 1146, removing the title of count suo uxoris from Stephen. Eustace was knighted by his father in 1147 and joined King Louis on a raid on Normandy in 1151 after Matilda, the daughter of King Henry I of England, proclaimed herself the legitimate heir to the English and Norman thrones. By 1152, Stephen was dressing his eldest son up to inherit England, but most of the clergy refused to attend the ceremony because the Roman curia had declared that Matilda's son, Henry, was the heir to the English throne. Eustace was proclaimed sole count of Boulogne that same year, but died the following year during a raid of church lands in Sussex. His death signaled the end of Stephen's fortunes in England and the start of diplomacy to bring the House of Plantagenet to the English throne. He was buried at Faversham Abbey in Kent, but his grave was destroyed during the dissolution of the monasteries under King Henry VIII. He was succeeded in Boulogne by his brother, William I.
Date of Death: 17 August 1153
Successor: William I

Other Monarchs Who Died Today:

• Go-Fukakusa, emperor of Japan (1304)
• Frederick II, king of Prussia (1786)