Waleran, Count of Saint-Pol

Also known as: Valeran earle of S. Paule / Valeran earle of saint Paule / Valeran, Earl of Saint Paul / Valeran, Earl of Saint-Pol / Waleran earl of saint Paule / Waleran, Earl of Saint-Pol / Walerane earle of saint Paule · Family: France · Role: earl · First appears: Richard II 8

Around 1381, Waleran, Earl of Saint-Pol married Richard II’s half-sister Joan de Courtenay at Windsor in a lavish ceremony. Richard II released him from the ransom owed for his capture in the marches of Calais and granted Biefléet to Joan de Courtenay as her marriage endowment. In 1383, Waleran joined Oliver de Clisson and other French leaders in the assault on Bruckburge, which surrendered after three days and was given to the French soldiers to plunder. In 1389, he had married Maud de Courtenay and came into England with other noblemen during the truce between England, France, and Scotland.

During Henry IV’s reign, Waleran, still hostile toward him, urged Charles VI and his council to make war on the English. In 1401, he received Isabella of Valois between Boulogne and Calais after Henry IV sent her home. Around 1403, Waleran invaded the Isle of Wight, burning two villages and four cottages. Around 1405, with the assent of Charles VI, he besieged the castle of Marke, but Philip Hall’s defense forced him to withdraw into the town; the next day, English forces led by Richard Aston defeated and scattered his besieging army.