John, Count of Chalon
John (1190 – 30 September 1267), called the Old (l'Antique), was a French nobleman, the Count of Auxonne and Chalon-sur-Saône in his own right and regent in right of his son, Hugh III, Count of Burgundy. In contemporary documents, he was sometimes called "Count of Burgundy", as by King William of Germany in 1251.
John | |
|---|---|
| Count of Chalon | |
John, Count of Chalon | |
| Born | 1190 |
| Died | 30 September 1267 |
| Noble family | House of Ivrea |
| Spouse(s) | Mahaud of Burgundy Isabeau or Isabel of Courtenay Laurette de Commercy |
| Issue | Hugh III, Count of Burgundy John I, Count of Auxerre John I of Chalon-Arlay Hugh of Chalon (archbishop of Besançon) |
| Father | Stephen III of Auxonne |
| Mother | Beatrice, Countess of Chalon |
He was the son of Stephen III of Auxonne and Beatrice, Countess of Châlon.
On June 5, 1237, he exchanged his inherited patrimony of Auxonne and Chalon with Hugh IV, Duke of Burgundy for the following territories: Salins (which was at the time the second city of the County of Burgundy), Belvoir, Vuillafans, Ornans, Montfaucon, Arlay, the castle of Clées in Vaud, Chaussin and Orgelet. He thus became one of the most powerful nobles in the county.
Although he gave charters to the towns in his territory, he also welcomed the Dominican friars as inquisitors.
The possession of Salins, with its salt production, gave John the fortune necessary to extend his territories. To protect the trade routes, he built the following fortresses: Le Pin, Montmahoux, Saint-Anne, Arguel and Nozeroy. He usually resided in Nozeroy.
To avoid the customs imposed by the Count of Pontarlier, he bought the forests in the region around Pontarlier and Jougne, which he logged, creating new roads. He founded the towns of Châtelblanc, Chaux-Neuve and Rochejean, the last of which contains his name.