The first counts of Rethel ruled independently, before the county passed first to the counts of Nevers, then to the counts of Flanders, and finally to the dukes of Burgundy. In 1405 the county became part of the peerage of France, and in 1581 it was elevated to a duchy. In 1663 it became the Duchy of Mazarin.

The county was active in the crusades. King Baldwin II of Jerusalem was the brother of Count Gervais and Countess Matilda of Rethel, while Beatrice of Rethel married Leo I, Prince of Armenia.

Rethel Dynasty

Vitre Dynasty

Dampierre dynasty

Burgundian dynasty

Albret dynasty

Coat of Arms of the Lords of Orval from the Albret family.
  • John of Albret (14911500; also lord of Orval; married Charlotte of Rethel)
  • Marie of Albret (15001549)

Cleves dynasty

Gonzaga dynasty

House of Mazarin

  • Jules Cardinal Mazarin (16591661); minister of Louis XIV of France; purchased Rethel from Charles IV
  • Hortense Mancini (16611699); the niece of Cardinal Mazarin, Duchess of Mazarin, Duchess of Mayenne, Duchess of Meilleraye, mistress of Charles II of England
  • Paul-Jules de la Porte (16991731; also Duke of Meilleraye)
  • Paul de la Porte (17311738; also Duke of Meilleraye)
  • Louise Jeanne de Durfort (17381781; also Duchess of Mayenne and Meilleraye)
  • Louise d'Aumont (17811789; also Duchess of Mayenne and Meilleraye)

Nowadays, the title is still claimed by her descendants, the Sovereign Princes of Monaco.

Bibliography

  • Alan V. Murray, The crusader Kingdom of Jérusalem, A Dynastic History 1099-1125, Linacre College Oxford, 2000, ISBN 1-900934-03-5
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