Theobald II of Champagne
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Theobald II of Champagne (1090-1152) was Count of Champagne from 1125 to 1152. He held Auxerre, Maligny, Ervy, Troyes, and Chateau-Villain as fiefs from Eudes II, Duke of Burgundy. He was the son of Stephen, Count of Blois and Adela of Normandy, and the elder brother of King Stephen of England. Although he was the second son, Theobald was chosen as heir over his elder brother, Guillaume, who was weak mentally.
In 1123 he married Matilda of Carinthia, daughter of Engelbert II of Carinthia. Their children were:
- Henry I of Champagne
- Theobald V of Blois
- Adèle of Champagne, married King Louis VII of France
- Isabelle of Champagne, married William Gouet IV
- Marie of Champagne, married Eudes II, Duke of Burgundy, became Abbess of Fontevrault later in life.
King Louis VII of France became involved in a war with Theobald by permitting Count Raoul I of Vermandois and seneschal of France, to repudiate his wife, Theobald's niece, and to marry Petronilla of Aquitaine, sister of the queen of France. The war, which lasted two years (1142-1144), was marked by the occupation of Champagne by the royal army and the capture of Vitry, where many persons perished in the burning of the church.
Pierre Abélard sought asylum in Champagne during Theobald II's reign.
Theobald II was also Theobald IV, Count of Blois.
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Preceded by: Hugues | Count of Champagne | Succeeded by: Henry I |