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- BIOGRAPHY
Alix de Thouars was born about 1200, the daughter of Guy de Thouars and Constance, duchesse de Bretagne. Alix's older half-brother was Arthur I, duke of Brittany and her half-sister Eleanor, 'Fair Maid of Brittany', children of her mother Constance and her first husband Geoffrey. Upon the death of Geoffrey's brother Richard I, king of England, a power struggle commenced between her brother Arthur and King John of England. At the Battle of Mirebeau in 1202, Arthur and Eleanor were captured. Eleanor was imprisoned at Corfe Castle and her brother Arthur disappeared, probably murdered.
The Breton barons recognised Alix as duchess of Brittany after the death of her brother Arthur, instead of her older half-sister Eleanor, perhaps fearing King John's claims to rule Brittany in representation of the imprisoned Eleanor's rights. Her father Guy became regent for Alix until 1206, when King Philippe II August of France made himself the regent of the duchy in Alix's name.
In 1213 the king arranged her marriage to his cousin Pierre, comte de Dreux, son of Robert II, comte de Dreux, and Yolande de Coucy. Pierre then became regent. Alix and Pierre had three children of whom Jean and Yolande would have progeny. Alix died in childbirth on 21 November 1221, without having exercised much control over her own inheritance. She was succeeded in the duchy by her son Jean I, but Pierre remained the de facto ruler of Brittany until 1237 when he was succeeded by his son Jean I.
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