Count of Perche

The county of Perche was a medieval county lying between Normandy and Maine.

It was held by an independent line of counts until 1226. One of these, Geoffroy V, would have been a leader of the Fourth Crusade had he not died before the assembled forces could depart. The county then became a possession of the crown, which removed part of it to create the county of Alençon.

After 1325, both counties were generally held by a member or members of a cadet line of the House of Valois. Upon the death without children of the last Duke of Alençon in 1525, it returned to the crown, and was granted only sporadically thereafter.

The lords of Perche were originally titled lords of Mortagne-au-Perche, until Routrou III adopted the style of count of Perche in 1126, thus uniting the lordship of Mortagne-au-Perche, the viscountcy of Châteaudun and the lordship of Nogent-le-Rotrou in the countship of Perche and Montagne.

Here after, the title is merged with the viscount of Châteaudun and the lord of Nogent-le-Rotrou.

Here after, the title is merged with the viscount of Châteaudun and the lord of Mortagne-au-Perche

Here after, the title is separated in count of Perche and count of Mortagne.

Here after the county returned to the royal domain.

The title of count of Perche was given a new by the king to members of the House of Maine and the House of Châteaudun.

The county was confiscated by the crown between 1474 and 1478, but was then returned to the family.

After the death of Margareth of Navarre the fief went to the royal domain. Here after the title of duke of Perche was personally granted by the king from time to time.

...
Wikipedia