Odo III, Duke of Burgundy

Eudes III (1166 – 1218), commonly known in English as Odo III, was Duke of Burgundy between 1192 and 1218.^[1] Odo was the eldest son of Duke Hugh III and his first wife Alice, daughter of Matthias I, Duke of Lorraine.

Odo III
Seal of Odo III
Duke of Burgundy
Reign	1192 – 1218
Predecessor	Hugh III
Successor	Hugh IV
Born	1166
Died	1218 Lyon
Spouse	Theresa of Portugal Alice of Vergy
Issue Detail	Hugh IV, Duke of Burgundy
House	House of Burgundy
Father	Hugh III, Duke of Burgundy
Mother	Alice of Lorraine

Life

Odo did not follow his father's aggressive policies towards France and proved a worthy ally of King Philip II of France in his wars against John, King of England, and Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor. Of a phlegmatic temperament,^[2] he fought bravely against the latter in the Battle of Bouvines, where he lost, according to contemporary chroniclers, two horses beneath him.

Odo was also an important figure in the Crusade against the Cathars.^[3] When Philip II refused to get involved, Odo stepped forward with the support of the local bishops and his vassals and organized the campaign of 1209 against the Cathar strongholds.^[3] Before leaving on crusade against the Cathars, Odo pledged the castle of Ile-d'Ouche and the village of Crimolois to the Knights Templar to assist them in the defense of the Catholic faith.^[4]

Marriages and issue

In 1194, Odo married Theresa of Portugal (1156–1218), the daughter of Afonso I of Portugal and Matilda of Savoy. She was repudiated in 1195, having produced no children.^[5]

In 1199, Odo married Alice of Vergy (1182–1252), the daughter of Hugh, Seigneur de Vergy, by Gillette de Trainel.^[5] This marriage produced:

• Joan (1200–1223), married Raoul II of Lusignan (died 1250),^[6] Seigneur d'Issoudun and Count of Eu.
• Alice (1204–1266) married Robert I (died 1262)^[6] Count of Clermont and Dauphin of Auvergne
• Hugh IV (1213–1272), his successor in the duchy^[5]
• Beatrice (born 1216), married Humbert III of Thoire (died 1279)