French History Advance Access originally published online on May 4, 2009
French History 2009 23(2):149-170; doi:10.1093/fh/crp003
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Duchesses and devils: the Breton succession crisis (1148–1189)
* The author may be contacted at melissa.pollock{at}ucd.ie
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Abstract |
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The duchy of Brittany is unusual in its development compared to contemporary polities of the twelfth century. The choice of Conan III to support his daughter Bertha's succession over that of his son, Hoël, just before his death in 1148, tore the traditional concepts of power apart and allowed for a series of counter claims through the female line to dominate ducal politics into the next century. The construct of female authority became a means to an end for male contenders, like Eudo de Porhöet, Conan IV, King Henry II and Henry's son, Geoffrey; however, the very recognition of the rights to succession through Bertha and her granddaughter, Constance, also elevated the role of the duchesses in a series of cross-Channel alliances, thereby placing the duchy itself at the centre of royal intrigue in France and England.