St Pol, Counts Of
ST POL, COUNTS OF. The countship of St Pol-sur-Ternoise in France (department of Pas-de-Calais), belonged in the nth and 12th centuries to a family surnamed Candavene. Elizabeth, heiress of this house, carried the countship to her husband, Gaucher de Chatillon, in 1205. By the marriage of Mahaut de Chatillon with Guy VI. of Luxemburg, St Pol passed to the house of Luxemburg. It was in possession of Louis of Luxemburg, constable of France, who was beheaded in 1475. The constable's property was confiscated by Louis XL, but was subsequently restored in 1488 to his granddaughters, Marie and Franjoise of Luxemburg. Marie (d. 1542) was countess of St Pol, and married Frangois de Bourbon, count of Vendome. Their son, Francois de Bourbon, count of St Pol (1491-1 545), was one of the most devoted and courageous generals 'of Francis I. Marie, daughter of the last-mentioned count, brought the countship of St Pol to the house of Orleans-Longueville. In 1705 Marie of Orleans sold it to Elizabeth of Lorraine-Lillebonne, widow of Louis de Melun, prince of Epinoy, and their daughter married the prince of Roban-Soubise, who thus became count of St Pol. (M. P.*)
Note - this article incorporates content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, (1910-1911)
