House of Châtillon



The House of Châtillon was a notable French family, with origins in the 9th century and surviving until 1762. The name comes from a county in Champagne, with its capital in Châtillon-sur-Marne and branches in Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise, Blois, Penthièvre (title later seized by and reverted to the Dukes of Brittany at various times), Chartres, etc.

The counts of Châtillon added to their title that of prince of Porcien. The main members of the house are:
 * Odo, pope under the name Urban II.
 * Raynald of Châtillon (c.1125-1187), took part in the Second Crusade, controlled Antioch and was captured and executed by the Muslims.
 * Walter III of Châtillon (1166-1219), sénéchal of Burgundy, escorted Philip II of France to the Holy Land and distinguished himself at the siege of Acre and the battle of Bouvines.
 * Walter V of Châtillon (1250-1329) great-grandson of the former, constable of France under Philip IV of France and minister of Louis X of France.
 * Jacques of Châtillon
 * Charles of Blois (1319-1364), ruled over the Champagne branch. His claim to be Duke of Brittany, jure uxoris ignited the Breton War of Succession, which his side lost to the House of Montfort and which ended with his death at the Battle of Auray. His title would pass for a time to his descendants.

This house is totally distinct from the house of Châtillon-sur-Loing, which produced (among others) the Coligny brothers : Gaspard, François and cardinal Odet.