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The Title of Count of Anjou

The title of Count of Anjou has a long and complex history that has evolved significantly over the centuries. Originating in the medieval period, the title was associated with the region of Anjou in France. Historically, the Counts of Anjou were prominent in French and, later, English politics due to their connections to the Plantagenet dynasty. Today, the Feudal Territory and Lands of Anjou remain as a moiety in the deeds and conveyances of the Fief de Thomas Blondel.

The title of Count of Anjou changed hands many times through inheritance, marriage, and conquest. It eventually became tied to the royal families of England and France.  In the English line, it transitioned into the title of Duke of Anjou. In France, after various political changes including the French Revolution and the fall of the monarchy, and noble titles were abolished in France, though some are still used as courtesy titles without legal recognition. The Feudal Title of Anjou is only claimed and used by the Seigneur of Fief Blondel.


Today, there is no official or legal successor to any noble title of Count of Anjou in France as French law has banned the use of titles. However feudal title of Count or Comte of Anjou has been claimed by the Seigneur of Fief Thomas Blondel who holds license to a legal territory in the ancient recognized lands in Anjou where titles and styles are explicity allowed by feudal law.  However, in both France and other countries, some former noble family titles such as King or Duke are still used as part of family name or heritage.  Therefore, while someone may claim the title as part of historical or familial tradition in France, it does not come with any official status or authority.

 

Evolution of Fief de Thomas Blondel from Fief du Cotentin:
After the Battle of Val ès Dunes (1047), Duke William II created and granted several ecclesiastical fiefs. From 1144 to 1150 the whole island of Guernsey belonged to Geoffrey Count of Anjou. The wasteland of Fief du Cotentin as a part of Geoffrey possessions became under his son Fief Le Roi. New sub-fiefs originated during the 11th and 12th centuries like Fief Aux Fay and Fief Burons. The Fief Au Fay was held by payment of a pair of silver spurs and the Fief Burons by payment of a pair of gilded spurs. Both were combined as the Fief Eperons.  Today, various territorial Lands of Anjou remain part of history of French Normandy and the Fief Thomas Blondel. Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou - Wikipedia 

The Seigneur of Fief de Blondel is a direct descendant or relative of the following from the House of Plantagenet.

King Edward Plantagenet King of England III 1312 - 1377
Edward II of Carnaron Plantagenet King of England 1284 - 1327
Philippa of Holland Plantagenet 1314 - 1369
John Eltham Earl Cornwall Plantagenet 1316 - 1336
Henry IV Plantagenet 1360 - 1345
Edward "The Black Prince" Plantagenet 1330 - 1376
Lionel of Antwerp Duke of Clarence Plantagenet 1338 - 1368
Henry 'Beauclerc Sinclair' 'Lion of Justice' KING OF ENGLAND PLANTAGENET I 15th pggf 28th pggf 26th mggf 1068 - 1135
Lady Elizabeth HEIRESS of CHEWTON Baroness of SHUTE & Somerset Fitzroger Fitz Roger Fitz Rogers FitzRogers descendant of William the Conqueror, GreatGrandmother of Lady Jane Grey DESCENDANT of KING HENRY I and II, Empress Matilda, Geoffrey of Anjou PLANTAGENET and CHARLEMAGNE, Barons HOLLAND and ZOUCHE 1370 - 1414
Joan of Aacre Plantagenet 1272 - 1307
John "Beaufort" Plantagenet Earl of Somerset, Marquis of Dorset and Somerset 1373 - 1410
Lady Margaret Countess (De Holand) Somerset Plantagenet 1385 - 1439
Lady Joan Plantagenet Countess Kent 1328 - 1385
Edmund Grey II Plantagenet Prince of England, 1st Earl of Kent, 1st Earl Arundel,Baron of Woodstock de Brothertonm, HRH Lord 1301 - 1329
Edward I " Longshanks" King of England Plantagenet 1239 - 1307
Margaret Plantagenet, Duchess Of Norfolk 1320 - 1399
Sir John "Fairborn Plantagenet" De Beaufort, Marquis of Dorset, 1st Earl of Somerset, Constable of England, Admiral of The Northern Fleet, 1371 - 1410
** Elizabeth "Lizzie" Myberry Wydeville Plantagenet, Duchess of York, Queen England 1465 - 1503
Sir John "Fairborn Plantagenet" De Beaufort, Marquis of Dorset, 1st Earl of Somerset, Constable of England, Admiral of The Northern Fleet, 1371 - 1410
Edward IV Plantagenet, King of England 1442 - 1483
 
 

A map of Normandy in 1142

Count of Anjou's Invasion of Normandy

Coat of arms of the Counts of Anjou.
Creation date 861 (county)
1360 (dukedom)
Peerage Peerage of France
First holder Robert the Strong (county)
Louis I (dukedom)
Last holder John the Good (county)
Louis Stanislas Xavier of France (dukedom)
Status

Extinct 1795

Extinction date      1795


 

While there are many Europeans that claim the heriditary desigantion of Duke of Anjou, there is nobody using the Count of Anjou distinction except for George Mentz, Esq Seigneur of Fief Blondel. Counts and dukes of Anjou - Wikipedia   

In France, the legal basis for the abolition of noble titles and the privileges associated with them can be traced back to the French Revolution. The key legislative acts that led to this change include: Decree Abolishing the French Titles and Feudal System (August 4, 1789): This revolutionary decree eliminated feudal rights and privileges, including those of the nobility. It was a foundational moment in dismantling the old aristocratic order. Law of June 19, 1790: This specific law abolished noble titles altogether. The National Assembly declared that "nobility does not exist" and that all French citizens were to be known simply as "citizens" without any distinctions based on birth or title.

 

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