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High & Late Middle Ages1272 CE – 1790 CEPeak: 2,437 km² (1433 CE)

Comtat Venaissin: Map & History

The Comtat Venaissin, often called the Comtat for short, was a part of the Papal States from 1274 to 1791, in what is now the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of Southern France.

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1272 CEDrag timeline:1433 CE1790 CE
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Capital: CarpentrasCapital at 44.05°N, 5.05°EPeak Extent: 2,437 km²Vector Attribution: Cliopatria (CC BY 4.0)Wikidata: Q1122980 ↗
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Wikipedia: Comtat Venaissin
Comtat Venaissin historical cartography
Enclave of the Papal States within France

The Comtat Venaissin, often called the Comtat for short, was a part of the Papal States from 1274 to 1791, in what is now the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of Southern France.

Imperial Currency
Roman scudo
Historical Religion
Roman Catholicism
Peak Territory
2,437 km²
Preceded By
County of Toulouse, Avignon Papacy
Succeeded By
French First Republic
Content & infobox metadata adapted from Wikipedia (Comtat Venaissin)

Comtat Venaissin in Depth

History

In 1096, the Comtat was part of the Margraviate of Provence that was inherited by Raymond IV, Count of Toulouse from William Bertrand of Provence. These lands in the Holy Roman Empire belonged to Joan, Countess of Toulouse, and her husband, Alphonse, Count of Poitiers. Alphonse bequeathed it to the Holy See on his death in 1271.

The Comtat became a Papal territory in 1274. The region was named after its former capital, Venasque, which was replaced as capital by Carpentras in 1320.

Avignon was sold to the papacy by Joanna I, Queen of Naples and Countess of Provence, in 1348, whereupon the two comtats were joined to form a unified papal enclave geographically, though retaining their separate political identities.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Comtat Venaissin (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Comtat Venaissin: Key Facts

Key facts about Comtat Venaissin
CapitalsCarpentras, Pernes-les-Fontaines
Founded1274
Dissolved14 September 1791

Succeeded by

  • French constitutional monarchy

Facts from Wikidata Q1122980 (CC0).

Comtat Venaissin Map Over Time

Dated world maps on which Comtat Venaissin appears, with the other states of the time.

Comtat Venaissin Timeline

Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion

1 Epochs
Territorial Apex1433 CE

Expansion to peak recorded area of 2,437 km² in 1433 CE.

Comtat Venaissin: Frequently Asked Questions

When did Comtat Venaissin exist?

Comtat Venaissin is dated to 1272 CE – 1790 CE, in the High & Late Middle Ages era.

What was the capital of Comtat Venaissin?

The capital of Comtat Venaissin was Carpentras.

How large was Comtat Venaissin at its peak?

At its peak in 1433 AD Comtat Venaissin covered about 2,437 km².

How did the map of Comtat Venaissin change over time?

Comtat Venaissin appears on 5 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1300 CE to 1700 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.