Guigues VI of Viennois

Who was Guigues VI of Viennois?

Andrew Guigues VI, known as André de Bourgogne, Dauphin of Viennois, was the Count of Albon, Briançon, Grenoble, and Oisans from 1228 until his death. He was the son of Hugh III of Burgundy and Béatrice of Albon. He took his regnal name after and inherited the titles and lands of his maternal grandfather, Guigues V.

During his reign he was a generous patron of monasteries and he expanded his territory by diplomacy rather than war. He founded the collegiate church Saint-André of Grenoble, which is today the last existing monument built by the delphinal dynasty, and where he and some of his successors were buried.

In 1202 he married Beatrice, Countess of Gap and Embrun, daughter of Rainon I of Sabran. Their daughter Beatrice married Amaury de Montfort. In 1215 they separated and on 15 November 1219 Guigues married Beatrice, daughter of William VI of Montferrat. She was the domna of the troubadour Gauseran de Saint Leidier. She bore Guigues two sons: Guigues VII and John.