C'est la Guerre - Parade Ground

[Countship of Toulouse
Countship of Armagnac
Countship of Comminges
Countship of Foix]

The town and Countship of Toulouse is north of the central Pyrenees although slightly toward the Mediterranean side, and about fifty miles north of the Spanish border. Raymond VII was count of Toulouse until his death in 1249 when it passed to Alphonse, count of Poitiers and brother of King Louis IX, who had married the daugher of Raymond. Alphonse died without heir in 1272 and his lands were incorporated into the royal domain under king Philip III.

The Countship of Armagnac is north of the central Pyrenees and to the west of Toulouse. The entire region was under the thumb of the English around this time, although under their rule the counts of Armagnac were “turbulent and untrustworthy”. I believe the title holder in 1358 was Count Jean I d’Armagnac. The armagnac region is known for its brandy that is very similar to, and some would say better than, cognac.

The Countship of Comminges is in southern France, about twenty-five miles southwest of Toulouse. The current holder is Count Pierre Raymond II de Comminges. His uncle had done his best to produce an heir through three marriages, but of his eight children, seven were girls, and the lone boy only lived for three years.

The Countship of Foix is south of Toulouse and borders on Spain and Andorra. The arms at this time were apparently those of Foix quartered with those of Béarn. The countship of Foix, bordering on both the holdings of England in Guyenne and the kingdom of Navarre, was able to maintain a position of near equality in their dealings with the crown of France. It was held by Count Gaston III de Foix, who was also count of Biggore and Viscount of Bearn. This count was quite famous, and was surnamed "Phoebus" on account of his great beauty. He was also involved in a long-running feud with the count of Armagnac, so perhaps I should re-arrange the display to show them fighting each other!