Porhoët

The first recognised vicomte de Porohoet was Guithenoc (abt. 990-1040CE), formerly of Guilliers. Guithenoc was born in Guilliers, Moribihan, Brittany, Western France. He married Allurum (994-?) of Guilliers. He became Vicomte, and in about 1008 he moved to La Trinite, in Porhoet, Morbihan, Brittany. There he built Castle Josselin, which he named for his son, Josselin (1020-1074). It is still owned by the descendents of Porhoet and is the longest continuously held private estate in the world.

Vicomte Josselin de Porhoet had three sons with the surname Rohan: Mainguy De Rohan, Jostho de Rohan, and Roger de Rohan. He had a fourth son, the third vicomte de Porhoet, Eudo I de Porhoet (1049-?).

Eudo (or Eudes) I married Anne de Leon (1065-?). They had two children, Vicomte Geoffrey de Porhoet (1092-1141) and Alain I de Rohan

Geoffrey married Hawisa Fergant of Brittany (abt. 1105-?). They had two sons, Vicomte Eudes II Porhoet (1122-?) and Alan la Zouche(1132-?).

Eudes II married into the ruling duchy of Brittany though Bertha (b.1114-?), daughter to Duke Conan III of Brittany (abt. 1096-1148).

Conflict with Henry II

In order to consolidate his power, King Henry II of England (5 March 1133- 6 July 1189) had planned to replace Duke Conan III of Brittany with someone from his immediate family. He had promised his younger brother Geoffrey, of the house of Plantegenet, this duchy if he succeeded to the throne of England. To this end, he had Conan III disinherit his son Hoel III, claiming him as illegitimate. (Hoel III's mother, the Duchess, Maude, was a daughter and illegitimate heir to Henry I of England).

This meant that Bertha, who was the next in line to the duchy of Brittany, became the legitimate heir to the estate of Conan III.

Bertha's sister Constance (1118-?) was next in line to the duchy (after Bertha); she married Alan, younger brother to Eudes II, thus cementing Porhoet claims to Brittany.

When Conan III passed, his son-in-law Eudes II (along with his brother-in-law Hoel III), challenged the throne for succession of the duchy. During this time (1148-1156) Eudes II ruled Brittany with Hoel III.

Henry II faced anarchy on many fronts; he was in the midst of the "Nineteen Year Winter." His younger brother Geoffrey, to whom he had promised the duchy, also contested the throne.

Henry II invaded Brittany, and the Castle at Josselin was razed. Eudes II was forced to flee, and the Porhoet family recognised Henry II as King.

Epilogue

Eudes II married Eleanor (abt. 1135-?) of Leon, Spain. He had a son through her: Eudes III (abt. 1156-?), Comte de Porhoet.

Movement to England / Beginning of Zouches

His younger brother Alan and moved to England under Henry II and settled in Devonshire where he married Alice de Belmais, daughter and heir to the estate of Philip de Belmais of Tong, Salops, Ashby, and Leics. He changed his surname from de Porhoet to la Zouche.

External links

* http://www.peterjoslin.btinternet.co.uk/chateau_josselin.htm
* http://www.casteland.com/puk/castle/bretagne/morbihan/josselin/josselin.htm