Jean de la Flèche

Jean de la Flèche, also known as Jean de Beaugency, Seigneur de la Flèche (c. 1030 – {c. 1097) was an 11th-century nobleman. He was the son of Lancelin I de Beaugency^[1] and Adelberg de Maine and was born about 1030 in La Flèche, Sarthe.^[a]

Jean de la Flèche
Born	c. 1030
Died	1097
Noble family	de La Flèche-de Baugency
Spouse(s)	Paula of Maine
Issue	Elias I de la Flèche
Father	Lancelin I de Beaugency
Mother	Mathilde de Chateau du Loir[citation needed]

Jean's father Lancelin I, was the first lord of both Beaugency and La Flèche. On his death, the older son Lancelin II was given Beaugency and Jean La Flèche.^{[citation needed]} This was unusual for the time as normal the older son inherited all.

The family of de la Flèche built the original wooden fort, Château de Beaugency, which was later replaced by a stone castle. The massive keep still survives as a ruined shell. A later mansion was built on the grounds of the castle.

Jean de la Flèche became seigneur of La Flèche where he held its original castle (the current one is from the 15th century). In 1059, Jean married Paula of Maine, daughter of Herbert I, Count of Maine.^[1] Jean and Paula were the parents of Elias I, Count of Maine, who married Mathilde de Château-du-Loir.^[1]

Jean de la Fleche was given land in Yorkshire, England and this is where the name was first recorded.^{[citation needed]} (source Betham in his 'Baronetage of England.') FLETCHER is 'de la Fleche' anglicised.

Notes

1. Amy Livingstone indicates Jean's mother was Paula of Maine^[2]