ST. URBAIN, Ferdinand de: Lorraine, ca. 1720, Bronze, 47 mm
Obv: Bust of Raoul (r)    RADVLPHVS. D. G. DVX. LOTH. ET. MARCHIO
Rev: Bust of Marie (l)    *MARIA. BLESENSIS. DVCISSA. LOTH. ET. MARCHIONISSA
Signed: S.V.
Ref: From the Series of the Dukes and Duchesses of Lorraine. Forrer V, p.310 #35; Mirnik #18;  Weiss BW760

Raoul "le Valliant" (1320-1346), duc de Lorraine (1328-1346) was the son of Ferry IV, duc de Lorraine and Elisabeth von Habsburg. At the age of 9, he became duke on the death of his father, his mother assuming the role of regent of the duchy until 1328. Raoul married Eléanore de Bar, daughter of Edouard I, comte de Bar and Marie de Bourgogne, in 1329. A widower, he remarried in 1334 with Marie de Blois (Marie de Châtillon) (1323-1380) daughter of Guy I of Châtillon, Count of Blois and Chartres, and Marguerite de Valois, sister of King Philip VI, in order to strengthen his ties with the kingdom of France. He was killed at the battle of Crécy at age 28 years.