Matthew, Count of Foix


Matthew was a Count of Foix, sovereign Viscount of Béarn as its lord, and military leader. In 1391. he succeeded Gaston Phoebus, his first cousin once removed, as Count of Foix. He confirmed the sovereignty of Béarn, also contesting Martin I of Aragon for the throne of Aragon after Martin succeeded John I of Aragon in 1396. His wife Joanna was the elder daughter of John I of Aragon, but she died childless.

Accession to office

Despite his pursuit for sovereignty, Gaston Phoebus ultimately bequeathed the lordship of Béarn to the king of France. On 8 August 1391, Béarnese leaders duly gathered in Orthez and designated representatives, establishing the Estates-General of Béarn.
They also elected Matthew de Castellbo as new legitimate lord of Béarn, also imposing on him the need to obtain from the king of France, Charles VI, the renunciation of the recent Treaty of Toulouse whereby the French monarch would gain access to the lordship of Béarn. Matthew manoeuvred quickly in this respect, obtaining early on his recognition by Richard II, king of England, and Charles VI, king of France, as lord of Béarn.

Ancestry