Odo III, Duke of Burgundy

Eudes III (1166 – July 6, 1218), commonly known in English as Odo III, was duke of Burgundy between 1192 and 1218. Odo was the eldest son of duke Hugh III and his first wife Alice, daughter of Matthias I, Duke of Lorraine.

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 Lackland and the Holy Roman Emperor Otto IV of Germany. 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. When Philip II refused to get involved, the Duke of Burgundy stepped forward with the support of the local bishops and his vassals and organized the campaign of 1209 against the Cathar strongholds. From 1216 to 1222 he helped Philip II of France and Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor to bring an end to the War of Succession in Champagne.

Marriages and Issue

He married in 1194 Teresa of Portugal (1156–1218), the daughter of Alphonso I of Portugal, and Maud of Savoy, and the widow of Philip, Count of Flanders. She was repudiated in 1195, having produced no children.

In 1199, he married Alice of Vergy (1182–1252), the daughter of Hugues, Seigneur de Vergy by Gillette de Trainel. This marriage produced:

• Jeanne (1200–1223), married Raoul II of Lusignan (died 1250), Seigneur d'Issoudun and Count of Eu.
• Alix (1204–1266) married Robert I (died 1262) Count of Clermont et Dauphin of Auvergne
• Hugh IV (1213–1272), his successor in the Duchy
• Béatrice (born 1216), married Humbert III of Thoire (died 1279)

Portrayal in the media

Odo was portrayed by actor Peter Baldwin in the 1978 BBC TV drama series The Devil's Crown.

See also

• Dukes of Burgundy family tree

Preceded by Hugh III

Duke of Burgundy 1192–1218

Succeeded by Hugh IV