Who was Raoul the Great?
Who was Raoul the Great, the historical inspiration for the middle grade series? Yes, Count Raoul IV of Valois was a real person and lived in 11th Century France. His most historic claim to fame is his marriage to France’s first Queen Regent, Anne of Kiev. I guess we could consider him, King Regent Consort Raoul.
Raoul had the distinction of being called a “Master of Siege,” a clever and strategic man, who acquired a large area of North Eastern France. He was a staunch ally of King Henry 1st of France. His first wife was the King’s second cousin, Countess Adela Bar-sur-Aube. This promoted Raoul’s status on the King’s court.
However, prior to becoming one of the King’s main men, under the influence of King Henry’s enemy, Count of Troyes, Raoul participated in an attempt to depose King Henry when he was a teenager. Raoul was captured by royal forces. We can imagine what conspired between Raoul and King Henry, but he managed to avoid prison (and death) and become the King’s loyal supporter.
Raoul had the distinction of being called a “Master of Siege,” a clever and strategic man, who acquired a large area of North Eastern France. He was a staunch ally of King Henry 1st of France. His first wife was the King’s second cousin, Countess Adela Bar-sur-Aube. This promoted Raoul’s status on the King’s court.
However, prior to becoming one of the King’s main men, under the influence of King Henry’s enemy, Count of Troyes, Raoul participated in an attempt to depose King Henry when he was a teenager. Raoul was captured by royal forces. We can imagine what conspired between Raoul and King Henry, but he managed to avoid prison (and death) and become the King’s loyal supporter.
Raoul was King Henry’s military strategist in a battle against Duke William (the Conqueror) in 1054 at the Battle of Mortemer. Aging King Henry grew worried of William’s growing power in Normandy and feared for the security of the French throne for his toddler son and future King Philip. William won the battle, and Raoul found himself in the custody of one of William’s generals. William wasn’t too pleased with Raoul playing both sides of the conflict, but nonetheless, William let him go. This was Raoul the Great, he managed to be on every side of every battle.
Raoul was best know, however, with his relationship with France's first Queen Regent, Anne of Kiev. Some say she fancied him, others say he constantly tried to woo her. It would be safe to assume they were quite fond of one another. There were even rumors he kidnapped the Queen and whisked her off to the abbey to marry - a Medieval elopement.
There was one problem. He was already married to a woman named Eleanor. He promptly repudiated (Medieval divorce) his wife to marry Queen Anne. This led to him being excommunicated by the church. He was told to renounce his marriage to the Queen and return to his wife. He didn’t. Instead, both he and Anne of Kiev left the French court and lived happily ever after, or so we can assume, because Anne of Kiev didn’t return to court until after Raoul’s death. Little information remains of the type of man he really was, and we are left with rumors. Raoul was a man who had the support of the King, the heart of the Queen and was both feared and revered by the people. One thing for certain, Count Raoul of Valois solidified power in Northern France, making France a lot more secure in the 11th Century. |