CATHERINE I OF COURTENAY

'Catherine I of Courtenay' (1274–1307/8) was Titular Empress of Constantinople from 1283 to her death in 1307/8.

Contents

Life

Family

References

Life

She was the daughter of the Titular Emperor of Constantinople Philip I of Courtenay by Beatrice of Anjou. Her maternal grandparents were King Charles I of Sicily and Countess Beatrice of Provence. The senior Beatrice was the fourth daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy.
On her father's death in 1283, Catherine inherited his claims to the throne of Constaninople and was recognized as empress by the Latin states in Greece. On February 8, 1301, she married Count Charles of Valois, son of King Philip III of France and Isabella of Aragon. Charles became titular emperor with Catherine until her death in January 1307 or 1308.

Family

By Charles of Valois, Catherine I had three children:

★ Catherine, who died young.

★ John, count of Chartres, who died young.

★ Catherine II of Valois, Princess of Achaea and titular empress of Constantinople.

References

★ Peter Lock, ''The Franks in the Aegean 1204–1500'', New York, 1995.