Dukes of Brabant and Guelders

See duke of Brabant, duke of Guelders.

Sophie of Mechelen

Daughter of Floris Berthout, lord of Mechelen, who was married to Reginald II, count of Guelders in 1311. In Book III of the Chronicles Froissart seems to give her name erroneously as Mary. Sophie had several children from her husband, but only two are mentioned by Froissart: her elder daugher Mathilde, whom Froissart called ‘Isabella’ in Book III, was married to John II of Blois and claimed the duchy of Guelders after the death of her half-brothers; a younger daughter Marie, whom Froissart called ‘Jeanne’ in Book III, was married to William VI of Juliers and also claimed the duchy. Sophie died in 1329.

Floris Berthout, lord of Mechelen

Brabantine nobleman, who was lord of Mechelen from 1310 until his death in 1331. Froissart states that Floris Berthout amassed a fortune by engaging in long-distance trade, but this claim does not seem to have any basis in the facts, although Floris must have benefited indirectly from the commercial activity in Mechelen, which at the time was one of the richest cities in Brabant. As the last remaining male heir of the main branch of the Berthout family, Floris held a large number of lordships, including the urban lordship of Mechelen and many rural domains. He also received several substantial fief-rents. All of this made him one of the richest non-princely aristocrats in the Low Countries, with an estimated annual income of 9,000 lb. tournois.