Champagne (Traditional province, France)

Last modified: 2004-07-03 by ivan sache
Keywords: champagne |
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by Arnaud Leroy

• History of Champagne
• Description of the flag of Champagne

See also:

• France
• Traditional provinces
• Regions
  • Champagne-Ardenne
  • Ile-de-France
  • Bourgogne
  • Picardie
  • Lorraine
• Departments
  • Aisne
  • Ardennes
  • Aube
  • Marne
  • Haute-Marne
  • Meuse
  • Seine-et-Marne
  • Yonne

History of Champagne

The Latin name of Champagne was Campania, and reflected the extremely flat relief of the central part of the province, suitable for setting up big camps. Champagne was then inhabited by the Belgians, who established there several tribes, whose names were later used to name cities: Senones (with capital city Sens), Tricasses (Troyes), Meldi (Meaux), Remes (Reims), Catalauni (Châlons) and Lingones (Langres).

In 451, the Roman general Aetius defeated Attila in the Champs Catalauniques (Catalauni fields), a place whose exact location is still unkown. In 498, St. Rémi, bishop of Reims, christened king of the Franks Clovis in Reims. This event was considered as the foundation of the Christian kingdom of France. From 1223 (Louis VIII) to Charles X (1825), 25 kings of France were crowned in Reims. Joan of Arc is said to have attended the coronation of Charles VII (17 July 1429), holding her standard and saying: "It [the standard] has been in trouble, now it deserves honours."

The feudal state of Champagne was formed in the beginning of the Xth century. Herbert II, count of Vermandois (d. 943), constituted his personal state around the bishopric of Reims. After his death, his sons shared his state in "agreement" with the weak Carolingian kings of France. Around 980, a second sharing out occured between Herbert le Jeune and Eudes I de Blois. Both lords supported the Capetians against the Carolingians. Herbert died in 995, Eudes the next year. His widow Berthe remarried with Capetian king Robert le Pieux. Helped by Robert, Eudes I's son, Eudes II, inherited the states of his father and his cousin Etienne, Herbert's son, who had died without a heir. Eudes II attempted to be crowned emperor and invaded Lotharingia (now Lorraine) and Burgundy, before being killed in Bar-le-Duc in 1037.

In spite of the ambitions of king Henri I, Eudes II's son, Thibaud I could keep most of Champagne. His son Etienne-Henri succceded him and went on Crusade in Palestine, where he died in 1102. During his leave, the state was administrated by countess Adèle, who created the countal chancellery. Hughes (d. 1125), an other son of Thibaud I, succeded Etienne-Henri and wa