HOUSE ALBRET

The Albrets were one of the most powerful feudal families; élite, aristocratic Gascons, and amongst the first to swear allegiance to the Black Prince. Its members distinguished themselves in the local wars of that epoch and they acted as a bulwark against the Valois monarchy until their loyalty changed in 1369, under Arnaud-Amanieu VIII, who married Marguerite de Bourbon, sister-in-law to King Charles V of France. Their son, Charles, became Constable of France. By 1550 Albret was a dukedom, and this bloodline was to eventually sit upon the throne, when Jeanne d’Albret, Queen of Navarre, married Anthony de Bourbon. Their son was Henry IV, King of France (1589.)