# Theobald III, Count of Champagne

> Count of Champagne from 1197 to 1201

**Wikidata**: [Q282436](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q282436)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theobald_III,_Count_of_Champagne)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/theobald-iii-count-of-champagne

## Summary
Theobald III, Count of Champagne, was a French nobleman who ruled as Count of Champagne from 1197 until his death in 1201. A member of the House of Blois, he played a key role in the governance of the Champagne region during the late 12th and early 13th centuries. His reign marked a transitional period in the county’s history, though details of his specific accomplishments remain limited to his tenure as count.

## Biography
- **Born**: May 13, 1179  
- **Nationality**: French  
- **Known for**: Ruling as Count of Champagne (1197–1201)  
- **Employer(s)**: County of Champagne  
- **Field(s)**: Nobility, medieval governance  

## Contributions
Theobald III’s primary contribution was his governance of the County of Champagne from 1197 to 1201. While specific policies or initiatives from his reign are not detailed in surviving records, his leadership maintained the regional stability of Champagne, a strategically important area for trade and feudal politics in medieval France. His tenure ensured continuity of the comital title within his family lineage.

## FAQs
**When did Theobald III rule Champagne?**  
Theobald III served as Count of Champagne from 1197 until his death in 1201, a period of four years.  

**What is Theobald III known for?**  
He is primarily recognized for his role as a regional nobleman and his hereditary governance of the County of Champagne, a pivotal territory in medieval France.  

**How is Theobald III documented historically?**  
He is cataloged in various academic databases, including VIAF (ID 3931147373414941580006), Library of Congress (ID 1113207426), and SUDOC (ID 02888674X), and is referenced in genealogical records such as GeneaStar (ID I00014212).  

## Why They Matter
Theobald III’s significance lies in his hereditary role as Count of Champagne, a title that positioned him as a key figure in medieval French nobility. His governance contributed to the administrative and feudal continuity of the region, though the brevity of his reign (1197–1201) limited long-term transformative impact. The county’s strategic importance as a trade hub underscores the relevance of his leadership, even if specific achievements are not extensively documented.

## Notable For
- Ruling Champagne from 1197 to 1201 during a critical period of medieval European history.  
- Being part of the House of Blois, a prominent noble family.  
- Documentation in multiple historical databases, including VIAF, ISNI, and Library of Congress.  
- Representation in the image file *Theobald III, Count of Champagne.jpg*.  

## Body

### Early Life and Succession
Theobald III was born on May 13, 1179, into the House of Blois, a powerful noble family. He inherited the title of Count of Champagne in 1197, succeeding his father, Henry I, Count of Champagne. This hereditary transition reinforced the feudal structure of medieval France, where titles and territories were passed through male lines.

### Reign as Count of Champagne (1197–1201)
Theobald III’s governance of Champagne lasted from 1197 until his death in 1201. While specific administrative or military actions from his reign are not elaborated in surviving records, his role involved overseeing regional affairs, managing feudal obligations, and maintaining the county’s economic and strategic importance. Champagne’s position as a trade crossroads in northern France heightened its significance during this period.

### Historical Documentation and Legacy
Theobald III is extensively cataloged in academic and archival systems, reflecting his recognition in historical scholarship. Key identifiers include:  
- **VIAF ID**: 3931147373414941580006  
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: 1113207426  
- **SUDOC ID**: 02888674X  
- **ISNI**: 0000 0004 6364 6042  
- **GeneaStar Person ID**: I00014212  

He is also documented in specialized databases such as the *Bodleian Search* (ID 6000000001544600421) and the *Swiss-Prot Knowledgebase* (ID sw.211039). These identifiers facilitate scholarly research into his life and reign, ensuring precise attribution in historical studies. Visual representations of Theobald III include the archived image file *Theobald III, Count of Champagne.jpg*.

### Genealogical and Cultural References
Theobald III is referenced in genealogical resources such as Geneanet (identifier: p=thibaud;n=de champagne) and is listed in the *Dictionnaire de la peinture* (ID 84746). His French Wikipedia title, *Thibaut III de Champagne*, reflects his common name in Francophone historical literature. Additional archival links, such as *biography/Thibaut-III*, further contextualize his place in medieval nobility.

### Death and Succession
Theobald III died on May 24, 1201, at the age of 22, concluding his four-year tenure as count. His death led to the succession of his son, Theobald IV, who later became King of Navarre, thereby expanding the family’s influence into Iberian politics. This transition underscores the broader dynastic strategies common among medieval noble families.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Sejm-Wielki.pl