Counts of Clermont-Tonnerre

Clermont- Tonnerre is a highly noble family of the French nobility, which is attested since the 11th century.

History

She comes from the Dauphiné, leads its name from the small town of Clermont (now part of Chirens ) located near the Paladru on a hill. Not far from Clermont are the ruins of a castle that was built by the early Clermont in the 12th century. The first coat of arms of the family referred to the spelling of the name as Clair -mont, bright mountain; the subsequent key - crest suggest the shape Clefmont.

The family inherited the late 16th century through the marriage that Bernardin de Clermont- Montoison, Vicomte de Talart, and Anne d' Husson, Erbgräfin of Tonnerre 1496 closed, the county Tonnerre; since the name Clermont is supplemented by the name Tonnerre. The Duchy of Clermont was created in the 16th century in favor of Henri de Clermont and renewed in 1775.

The house Clermont- Tonnerre is to be distinguished from the northern French house Clermont

The Clermont in the Dauphiné

The first known Clermont is Sibaud I, Seigneur de Clermont et de Saint- Geoire (now in the department of Isère), participants of the First Crusade. He had at least eight castles, including Saint Geoire, Montferrat, and Chirens Châbons. He married ADELAIS d' Albon, daughter of the Dauphin of Viennois and granddaughter of Emperor Henry III. and Agnes of Poitou.

At this time there was the kingdom of Burgundy in resolution, the later Dauphiné was divided into several independent areas that formed at the expense of the Kingdom or enlarged. The new principalities were founded by the nobility and the clergy: The Archbishop of Embrun and the Bishop of Grenoble ruled as princes, the archbishop of Vienne and the bishop of Valence, the Bishops of Valence, and The Gap as counts, each with substantial numbers of vassals. Among the secular princes, the Count of Albon and later Dauphin of Viennois, the Counts of Savoy, Salmorenc, Valentinois and Diois, the families of La Tour- du-Pin, Clermont, Sassenage, Mévouillon and Montauban, which among themselves on an equal footing met: in all contracts, the sign the Clermont to 1340, kick against the Dauphin's and the Savoy on without distinction of rank.

Only Savoy, Diois and Valentinois survived the 14th century in this form. The others gradually lost their independence, often through violence, and submitted themselves to the other three. The house Clermont was the last thing renounced his rights. The contract, which assumed ownership of the Clermont the Dauphin, dates back to 1340 - but the Baron de Clermont was doing for Premier Pair appointed Constable and hereditary Grand Master of the Dauphiné, so that the Baron of Clermont in the Dauphiné took the second highest rank.

The Clermont at the royal court

He managed the family save their rights in the union of the Dauphiné with France over. Henri de Clermont, Duc de Clermont and Pair de France since May 1, 1571 ( the Parlement on June 10, 1572 confirmed ) would have his descendants inherited the peerage, if not by an error in the registration by the Parlement this honor with his death 1573 would be extinguished. 1775 Clermont- Tonnerre Duchy of Gaspard de Clermont- Tonnerre, Marshal of France was rebuilt.

François Joseph de Clermont Tonnerre had to sell the county Tonnerre 1684 for financial reasons. The buyer was Louvois

Castles of the Clermont

List of counts of Tonnerre List of Counts of Albon and Dauphins of Viennois Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor List of bishops of Grenoble
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