Philibert of Chalon
Philibert de Chalon (* March 18, 1502; † August 3, 1530 ) was Prince of Orange, Duke of Gravina, Count of Tonnerre and Charny, Mr Arlay and Nozeroy.
Life
As the son of John IV of Chalon and Philiberta of Luxembourg he was born in Lons -le- Saunier in the former County of Burgundy, in today's Jura in France. A few days after Philibert birth his father died, and he went to his successors, albeit under guardianship of his mother. On the occasion of Philibert age she organized elaborate festivities that culminated in a major tournament in Nozeroy.
From birth, a subject of the Emperor, the lands were Philibert in the geographical area of interest of the French king. For this reason he behaved in the blazing fight between Francis I and Charles V. neutral at first and tried to stay out of the conflict in order not to jeopardize its territory. With the appointment of a Knight of the Golden Fleece by Charles V in 1516, but he had no choice but to confess as color. Although Philibert begged the Emperor to keep his appointment as Knight first secret in order not to arouse the wrath of the French King, but the latter already sent a punitive expedition in his principality Orange, which Philibert moved to audition with the king to offer his services. But Francis I. received him in a very harsh manner, so that the prince now finally sided with the imperial lord. In whose behalf he took part in the siege of Marseilles under the Duke of Bourbon and fell in 1524 during the liberation of the city by Andrea Doria in French hostage. His release took place only within the framework of ratification of the Treaty of Madrid.
Charles V appointed him governor of the Kingdom of Naples and appointed him Duke of Gravina. After the death of the Duke of Bourbon, the imperial troops appointed him generalissimo. In this capacity, he negotiated with the Pope Clement VII de Medici and convinced them to stand up for the cause of the emperor. The Pope would not be harmed if he would support the campaign of Charles against the Republic of Florence, and the Emperor would approve the appointment of Alessandro de ' Medici, nephew of the pope, the Duke of Florence.
The prince fell in the battle of Gavinana, when the imperial troops marched under his leadership against the Florentine army Francesco Ferrucci.
Successor
Philibert was the last male descendant of one of William IV of Auxonne declining branch line of the Counts of Burgundy, the Orange since the marriage of John IV of Chalon with Mary, the heiress of the principality, ruled. Philibert died unmarried and left behind except his illegitimate daughter Jeanne, no legitimate descendants. His nephew, Renatus of Nassau- Breda, son of his sister Claudia, inherited at the death of Philibert's possessions, which the Principality of Orange came to the family of Nassau, who holds the title today.