ANTOINE, COUNT OF VAUDEMONT AND MARIE D'HARCOURT

ST URBAIN, Ferdinand de: Lorraine, ca.1727, Bronze, 45 mm
Obv: Bust of Antoine    ANTHONIVS. COMES. VAD. FRIDERICI. I. COMITIS. VAD. FILIVS
Rev: Bust of Marie    MARIA. HARCVRIENSIS. COMITISSA. VADEMONTANA.
Signed:  S.V.
From the Series of Dukes and Duchesses of Lorraine (The entire series was executed between 1727 and 1731).
Ref: Forrer V, p.310 #43

Antoine I de Lorraine (1401-1458),  count of Vaudemont, was the nephew of Charles II, Duke of Lorraine, and on the death of Charles, as the heir-male, he claimed the inheritance to the duchy. However, Rene, Duke of Anjou, in a marriage treaty with Isabella, elder daughter of Charles II, was to be heir to the duchy of Lorraine at the death of Charles, which occurred in 1431. A battle ensued and, with Burgundian help, Antoine de Vaudemont defeated Rene at Bulgneville. The duchess Isabella effected a truce with Antoine de Vaudemont, but Rene remained a prisoner of the Burgundians until 1432, when he recovered his liberty on parole by agreeing to yield up as hostages his two sons, John and Louis of Anjou. Rene became Rene I, Duke of Lorraine, in 1434.
Harcourt is a noble French family which took its name from the village of Harcourt, and traces its origin back to the 11th century. The fief of Harcourt was raised to a countship in 1338, and passed in the 15th century, by a marriage, into the house of Lorraine. Marie d'Harcourt (1398-1476) became countess of Vaudemont on her marriage to Antoine de Vaudemont, the union which this medal commemorates.

LINK to History of Lorraine (from Proceedings of the Friesian School. Edited by Kelley L. Ross, Ph.D.)

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