Joanna of Châtillon

Joanna of Châtillon (c. 1285–1354), daughter of the Constable Gaucher V de Châtillon, married Walter V of Brienne in 1305 and became Duchess of Athens in 1308.

Her rule there lasted three years: Walter was killed fighting the Catalan Company at Halmyros on 15 March 1311, and after perhaps trying to hold the Acropolis she surrendered it and returned to France with her infant son Walter VI.

By constant petitions to Naples, France and the papacy she kept her son's claim to Athens alive until he was old enough to press it himself. In 1321 that son sued her over his father's debts in a suit mediated by Philip V of France. She kept her ducal title until her death, and her tomb at Troyes was inscribed Duchesse d'Athènes.