Background
She was born in the second half of the 1160s. Her father, the heir apparent of Bourbon, died in 1169, without ever inherting the Lordship.
She was born in the second half of the 1160s. Her father, the heir apparent of Bourbon, died in 1169, without ever inherting the Lordship.
She was the ruling Lady of Bourbon from 1171 until her death. Her grandfather, Archambault VII, died in 1171. Mathilde, as his only surviving grandchild, succeeded him.
After he returned from the Third Crusade, they frequently quarreled.
In the end, he became violent and had her locked up. The Pope tasked the bishops of Autun and Troyes and the abbot of Monthiers-en-Argonne with investigating her claim.
The pope granted the divorce, and also lifted the excommunication. Thus, the Bourbonnais fell to the House of Dampierre.
This marriage lasted 20 years: he died in 1216.
In the end, Archambault prevailed.