Count of Anjou
The title of Count of Anjou has a long and complex history that has evolved significantly over
the centuries. Originating in the medieval period, the title was associated with the region of Anjou in France.
Historically, the Counts of Anjou were prominent in French and, later, English politics due to their connections to
the Plantagenet dynasty. Today, the Feudal Territory and
Lands of Anjou remain as a moiety in the deeds and conveyances of the Fief de Thomas
Blondel.
The title of Count of Anjou changed hands many times
through inheritance, marriage, and conquest, eventually becoming associated with the royal
families of England and France. In the English line, it evolved into the title of Duke of
Anjou. In France, following various political changes, including the French Revolution and
the abolition of noble titles, such titles no longer carry legal recognition, though some
continue to be used as courtesy titles. The feudal title of Anjou is currently claimed and
used exclusively by the Seigneur of Fief Blondel.
Today, there is no official or legal successor to
any noble title of Count of Anjou in France as French law has banned the use of
titles. However feudal title of Count or Comte of Anjou has been claimed by the Seigneur of
Fief Thomas Blondel who holds license to a legal territory in the ancient recognized lands
in Anjou where titles and styles are explicity allowed by feudal law. However, in
both France and other countries, some former noble family titles such as King or Duke are
still used as part of family name or heritage. Therefore, while someone may claim the
title as part of historical or familial tradition in France, it does not come with any
official status or authority.
Evolution of Fief de Thomas Blondel from
Fief du Cotentin:
After the Battle of Val ès Dunes (1047), Duke William II created and granted several
ecclesiastical fiefs. From 1144 to 1150 the whole island of Guernsey belonged to
Geoffrey Count of Anjou. The wasteland of Fief du Cotentin as a part of Geoffrey
possessions became under his son Fief Le Roi. New sub-fiefs originated during the 11th and
12th centuries like Fief Aux Fay and Fief Burons. The Fief Au Fay was held by payment of a
pair of silver spurs and the Fief Burons by payment of a pair of gilded spurs. Both were
combined as the Fief Eperons. Today, various territorial Lands of
Anjou remain part of history of French Normandy and the Fief Thomas Blondel.
Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou - Wikipedia
The Seigneur of Fief de Blondel is a direct descendant or relative of the
following from the House of Plantagenet.
- King Edward III Plantagenet, King of England (1312–1377)
- Edward II of Carnarvon Plantagenet, King of England (1284–1327)
- Philippa of Hainault Plantagenet (1314–1369)
- John Eltham, Earl of
Cornwall (1316–1336)
- Henry IV Plantagenet,
King of England (1367–1413)
- Edward "The Black Prince"
Plantagenet (1330–1376)
- Lionel of Antwerp, Duke
of Clarence (1338–1368)
-
Henry I "Beauclerc Sinclair"
Plantagenet, King of England (1068–1135)
- Known as the "Lion of Justice"
-
Lady Elizabeth, Heiress
of Chewton, Baroness of Shute & Somerset
- Descendant of William the Conqueror and great-grandmother of Lady
Jane Grey
- Connected to King Henry I, Henry II, and Empress Matilda
-
Geoffrey of Anjou Plantagenet (1370–1414)
- Associated with Charlemagne, Barons Holland, and Zouche
- Joan of Acre Plantagenet (1272–1307)
- John "Beaufort" Plantagenet, Earl of Somerset, Marquis of Dorset and Somerset (1373–1410)
- Lady Margaret (de Holland), Countess of Somerset (1385–1439)
- Lady Joan Plantagenet,
Countess of Kent (1328–1385)
- Edmund Grey II Plantagenet, Prince of England, 1st Earl of Kent, 1st Earl of Arundel, Baron of Woodstock
(1301–1329)
- Edward I "Longshanks" Plantagenet, King of England (1239–1307)
- Margaret Plantagenet,
Duchess of Norfolk (1320–1399)
- Sir John "Fairborn Plantagenet" de
Beaufort, Marquis of Dorset, 1st Earl of Somerset, Constable of
England, Admiral of the Northern Fleet (1371–1410)
- Elizabeth Wydeville Plantagenet, Duchess of York, Queen of England (1465–1503)
- Edward IV Plantagenet,
King of England (1442–1483)
Count of Anjou's Invasion of Normandy
While many Europeans claim the hereditary designation
of Duke of Anjou, the title of Count of Anjou is not currently used by anyone except Datuk Seri George Mentz, Esq.,
Seigneur of Fief Blondel. Counts and dukes of Anjou -
Wikipedia
In France, the abolition of noble titles and associated
privileges was rooted in the transformative legislation of the French Revolution. Key acts
leading to this change include:
-
Decree Abolishing the French Titles and
Feudal System (August 4, 1789): This
revolutionary decree eliminated feudal rights and privileges, marking a
foundational moment in dismantling the old aristocratic order.
-
Law of June 19,
1790: This law formally abolished
noble titles. The National Assembly declared that "nobility does not exist,"
affirming that all French citizens were to be known simply as "citizens," without
distinctions based on birth or title.
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