Alix of France


Alix of France was countess of Blois by marriage to Theobald V of Blois. She served as regent of Blois during Theobald's absence in 1190–1191, and during the minority of their son Louis from 1191 until 1197. She was the daughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Louis VII of France.

Life

Her parents' second child and daughter, Alix was named after her aunt Petronilla of Aquitaine, who was known as "Alix". The birth of yet another daughter, rather than the desperately needed son, proved to be the final blow to Eleanor and Louis's marriage. Their union was annulled on 21 March 1152, when Alix was not yet two years old. Both Alix and her sister Marie retained their legitimacy, and custody of the girls was awarded to the king. Eleanor married Henry, Duke of Normandy, just eight weeks later on 18 May.

Countess of Blois

In 1164, at age 14, Alix married Theobald, who had previously attempted to abduct Alix's mother to force her into a marriage with him. Her sister Marie married Theobald's brother Henry I, Count of Champagne.
Alix died in 1197/98.

Issue

Alix and Theobald had seven children:
  1. Theobald
  2. Louis I, Count of Blois
  3. Henry
  4. Philip
  5. Margaret, Countess of Blois, who married Otto I, Count of Burgundy; Gauthier II, Seigneur of Avesnes
  6. Isabelle of Chartres
  7. Alix, Abbess of Fontevrault