House of Dreux

The House of Dreux was a cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty. It was founded by Robert I, Count of Dreux, a son of Louis VI of France, who was given the County of Dreux as his appanage. The Counts of Dreux were relatively minor nobles in France. The comital line became extinct in 1345. The family would have faded into obscurity with their Courtenay cousins if not for Philip Augustus. In 1212 the French king needed an obedient vassal to marry Alix, Duchess of Brittany. He turned to his cousin Peter, a younger son of the Count of Dreux. Peter's marriage to the heiress of Brittany placed the House of Dreux in one of the most important fiefs of France. Early dukes of Brittany descended from Peter used a canton ermine to mark them as cadets of the House of Dreux. Sometime in 1316, John III, Du

House of Dreux

The House of Dreux was a cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty. It was founded by Robert I, Count of Dreux, a son of Louis VI of France, who was given the County of Dreux as his appanage. The Counts of Dreux were relatively minor nobles in France. The comital line became extinct in 1345. The family would have faded into obscurity with their Courtenay cousins if not for Philip Augustus. In 1212 the French king needed an obedient vassal to marry Alix, Duchess of Brittany. He turned to his cousin Peter, a younger son of the Count of Dreux. Peter's marriage to the heiress of Brittany placed the House of Dreux in one of the most important fiefs of France. Early dukes of Brittany descended from Peter used a canton ermine to mark them as cadets of the House of Dreux. Sometime in 1316, John III, Du