Stephen I (1133-1190), first Count of Sancerre (1151-1190) and third son of Count Theobald II of Champagne, inherited the county of Sancerre on his father's death, when his eldest brother Henry received Champagne and his elder brother Theobald Blois and Chartres. His holdings were the smallest amongst the brothers (though William received none and entered the church, becoming archbishop of Rheims) and he was originally a vassal, along with Theoba...
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Stephen I (1133-1190), first Count of Sancerre (1151-1190) and third son of Count Theobald II of Champagne, inherited the county of Sancerre on his father's death, when his eldest brother Henry received Champagne and his elder brother Theobald Blois and Chartres. His holdings were the smallest amongst the brothers (though William received none and entered the church, becoming archbishop of Rheims) and he was originally a vassal, along with Theobald, of Henry.
Like many members of his family, he was prominent in the Crusades and, in 1169, he was offered the hand in marriage of Amalric I of Jerusalem's daughter Sibylla by a diplomatic delegation led by Frederick de la Roche, archbishop of Tyre. He accepted and travelled east with Hugh III of Burgundy and a gift of money from Louis VII of France in 1171.
It was anticipated that he may some day be king in right of his wife, the rightful heir of Amalric being the leprous Baldwin. In light of this, the Haute Cour invited him to decide the...
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