Matilda of Béthune
Matilda of Béthune,
Died(1263-11-08)8 November 1263
BuriedFlines Abbey
Noble familyBethune
Spouse(s)Guy, Count of Flanders
FatherRobert VII, Lord of Béthune
MotherElisabeth of Morialmé

Matilda of Béthune (died 8 November 1264), was a noblewoman from Artois who became countess of Flanders by marriage to Guy, Count of Flanders. She was heiress to her father's titles as Lady of Béthune, of Dendermonde, of Richebourg and of Warneton, as well as Advocatess of the Abbey of Saint Vaast at Arras, and the ruler of these states in 1248-1264. She was the mother of Robert, Count of Flanders, known as Robert of Béthune after his mother.

Life

Matilda, also referred to as Mathilde or Mahaut, was born about 1230, the first child of Robert VII, Lord of the castle and town of Béthune and Advocate of the Abbey of Saint-Vaast at Arras, who was a major landowner and one of the twelve peers of Flanders. Her mother was Elizabeth, widow of Nicholas I, Lord of Condé, and daughter of Arnulf IV, last Lord of Morialmé. Robert and Elizabeth had two further daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah.[1]

Countess

About the age of 16, Matilda was engaged to Guy of Dampierre, who was made co-ruler of Flanders by his widowed mother Margaret II, Countess of Flanders alongside her and his elder brother William III of Dampierre, who died in 1251. In recognition of this important match for his eldest daughter, Robert of Béthune endowed her with the major part of his lands and titles.[1]

In October 1245, she still under age and unmarried, he made her heir to the ancient lands of his ancestors outside Béthune, the Pays de l'Alleu in which he held power of life and death. The marriage contract was signed on 2 February 1246 and the wedding then took place in Béthune. On 24 June 1248 Robert and Elizabeth wrote a letter to Guy and Matilda confirming that the two would inherit his lands and titles, which happened shortly after when news reached France of Robert's death.[1]

Matilda then became Lady of Béthune, of Dendermonde, of Richebourg, and of Warneton, as well as Advocatess of the Abbey of Saint Vaast at Arras. By marriage, Guy called himself Lord of these holdings and Advocate, which he was doing by October 1249.[1]

Death and legacy

Matilda died on 8 November 1264 and was buried in a tomb of black marble in the Chapel of Saint Hubert within the abbey church of Flines-lez-Raches, her husband being placed beside her later. He remarried in 1265 and had eight more children.[1]

Issue

In their 15 years together, she and Guy had eight children:[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Du Chesne, André (1639). Histoire de la Maison de Béthune (in French). Paris. p. 220 et seq.
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