Peter, 13th count of Charmaine

**Peter, 13th Count of Charmaine** (24 March, 1533-17 July 1580) was a French Count from 1535 until 1558 and Austrian Graf from 1558 till his death.

## Early Life

Peter was the only child of Jacques, 12th Count of Charmaine (24 July, 1506- 17 March, 1535) and Princess Isabella of Navarre (1512-1560), daughter of John III and Queen Catherine. Peter was born in Sangüesa, and raised in his Uncle, Henry II, home until age 18 in 1551. Peter was made Count of Charmaine at age 2 due to the death of his father. He was sheltered by his mother for much of his life as she was afraid he would be injured and end the dynasty. Peter believed his mothers worries were stupid and just a reason to keep him home so he often broke them and went out of his way to put himself in danger.

## Life

At 17, Peter married Princess Joanna of Austria, Portugal and Spain (24 June, 1535-7 September 1573) and spent much of his time in Spain with his wife's family. While on a visit to Spain in 1556, Joanna gave birth to the son who was named Phillipe (24 June, 1556-4 March 1604). Now with an heir, Peter moved with his wife back to France and began serving the French King Henry II.

### The Quarrel

2 years later, in 1558 Peter met with Henry II in Paris and a quarrel began regarding the estate and inheritance of a Great Great Uncle. Henry II got so angered by the apparent arrogance of Peter that he ordered the complete destruction of the County and the trial of Peter. Peter left his wife and son and escaped to Austria where his Wife's uncle was. His wife and son moved to Spain where they lived for 16 years.

### Austrian Court

Peter joined the court of Ferdinand I, uncle of Joanna, Peters wife. He ran way in order to escape his prosecution by Henry II. Ferdinand I, HRE from 1556 to 1564. Peter was made Graf von Stenderbug by the Holy Roman Emperor. Peter married the daughter of Ferdinand I, Archduchess Magdalena of Austria (14 August, 1532-5 March 1574) on June 9th, 1559. Peter lived in Austria until his death in 1580. Peter was long hated by the French and he had a legacy in France of Hatred and Treason.

## Death

While at a stop in Salzburg on his way to Bremen, Peter was found with a knife through his heart. 2 servants walked into his room, intending to wake Peter up for the remaining trip but found him lying in bed covered in blood. On the floor was a green cap and a destroyed banner. A scroll on the bedside wrote:

> "He lie here, in silence. What does a liar do when he dies? He lies. A traitor to Europe never welcome again, he shall be welcomed at the gates of Lucifer's home"
>
>

The person who murdered him was never found but there are multiple theories.

### Theory 1

One popular theory is that first wife of Peter, along with the Kings wanted to kill Peter and got their first chance at Salzburg. This theory meets some problems when you realize Joanna, Peters first wife died 7 years before his death. Some believe that it may have been Phillipe getting revenge on his father.

### Theory 2

Another popular theory is that HRE Rudolph II, a staunch enemy of Peters had him murdered. Peter may have created a faction in attempts to overthrow the government of Vienna though these plans were never found nor proven. This is the most likely theory due to the fact that intense record were found in the journal of Rudolph II regarding him wanting to kill him. There still is no proof that this was him though.

## Children

With his first wife, Princess Joanna of Austria, Portugal and Spain (24 June, 1535-7 September 1573) Peter had 1 son

* Phillipe Edward James de Charmaine (24 June, 1556-4 March 1604)

With his second wife, Archduchess Magdalena of Austria (14 August, 1532-5 March 1574) Peter had 5 children

* Ludwig Alfred von Stenderbug-Habsburg (1560-1566)
* Magdalena Marie von Stenderbug-Habsburg (1562-1569)
* Ludwig Alfred von Stenderbug-Habsburg (1563-1613)
* Albert Wilhelm Georg von Stenderbug-Habsburg (1564-1608)
* Friedrich Rudolph Maximillian von Stenderbug-Habsburg (1566-1582)

*Through his son Phillipe's senior line, he reached Charles X. That makes Peter, Charles' 10th Great Grandfather.*