Counts · Other imperial lands · as at first light, 1 January 1200

Montbéliard

The county of the Burgundian Gate, between the Vosges and the Jura, with the family castle of Montfaucon above Besancon and lands across the Jura in the Vaud (half of Orbe and the keeping of its castle, Oulens, Bavois, Montagny, rights at Yverdon).

Richard's father was killed by Otto I in 1195; since Philip of Swabia's election Richard and his brother-in-law Stephen of Auxonne have fought Otto and backed Otto IV against the archbishop of Besancon's advice. In 1199 Richard and his brother Walter seized the archbishop and were excommunicated, then made peace the same year, giving up claims in the Jorat above Lausanne.

Who he is

Name
Richard of Montfaucon (Richard III in fr.wikipedia's numbering)
Title
Count of Montbeliard
Since
1195, when his father Count Amadeus II was killed during negotiations on Otto I's orders
Born
not pinned
Family
Son of Amadeus II of Montfaucon, count of Montbeliard by his marriage to Sophie, heiress of Count Thierry II. Wife: Agnes of Auxonne, Stephen II's sister. Brother: Walter of Montbeliard (named as Richard's brother in a charter of 1201; later regent of Cyprus). Children are born later (Thierry about 1205).
Confidence
high

fr.wikipedia Richard III de Montfaucon and Comte de Montbeliard; en.wikipedia and fr.wikipedia on Otto I

Overlord

The emperor.

What it holds

  • Montbeliard castle and county
  • Montfaucon castle above Besancon (family seat)
  • Half of Orbe and the guardianship of its castle (Vaud)
  • Oulens, Bavois with Corcelles and Suchy, Montagny-le-Corbos, rights at Yverdon

How it was acquired

Inherited 1195; the Vaud lands by the Montfaucon family.

Allies and rivals

Allies: Stephen of Auxonne, Otto IV. Enemies: Otto I (blood feud), the archbishop of Besancon until the 1199 peace; later the counts of Ferrette (over Delle and Belfort).

How things stand that morning

Holds Montbeliard and Montfaucon; reconciled with the Church since 1199; at war with Otto I.

Wealth

The road from Burgundy to Alsace and the Rhine through the Belfort gap; Vaud rents. No figures.

Military

Castles of Montbeliard and Montfaucon. Raided Otto's lands after 1198. No numbers.

Threats

  • Otto I (until 13 January).
  • Ferrette rivalry.

What the year holds

What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.

In 1200

  1. from 13 January 1200Otto's death frees Richard from his enemy; he and Stephen of Auxonne can be expected to push against the regency.Depends on: Otto's death. Stopped by: Philip of Swabia's intervention.

Later, on the likely course

  1. 1201 and after (later course)Walter of Montbeliard leaves for the East with the crusade circle of Walter of Brienne and becomes regent of Cyprus (1205-1210).Depends on: The crusade going ahead. Stopped by: n/a

Places of note

  • Castle of Montbeliard: Seat
  • Castle of Montfaucon: Family castle
  • Orbe: Half the town and its castle

Where the sources disagree

Evidence: 1195 killing, 1198-1199 events and the Vaud lands are in fr.wikipedia with charters; extent of the county in 1200 not mapped.

On the map: Rough extents.

Primary sources for Empire

Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.

8 more in the sources library for The Rhineland, the Low Countries and the Swiss Lands.

Sources and studies

  1. Richard III de Montfaucon
  2. Comte de Montbeliard

Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.