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Ralph, Count of Soissons

1150 – 1235

French noble

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About Ralph, Count of Soissons

Lived 1150 – 1235 (aged 84–85). Ralph, Count of Soissons was a French.

Ralph the Good (; died 4 January 1235), also known as Raoul III de Nesle, was the Count of Soissons from 1180. He was the third son of Raoul II de Nesle and Gertrude de Montaigu.

In 1178 Raoul and his elder brother John subscribed to a charter of the eldest brother, Conon, then count, donating property to . When Alberic de Trois-Fontaines wrote his chronicle, he could refer to count Raoul of Soissons qui adhuc vivit (who still lives). But he later records his death in 1235. In 1184 Ralph became castellan of Noyon. According to Rigord, he took the Cross alongside Henry II of England and Philip II of France at a ceremony between Trie and Gisors on 13 Jan 1188 and joined the Third Crusade.

Raoul was the fourth husband of Adèle of Dreux (b. 1145/1146), daughter of Robert I of Dreux. She confirmed donations to Notre-Dame d'Ourscamp and Tremblay-en-France with him, and died between January 1205 and March 1210. Raoul was briefly married to a woman named Yolande, before taking as his third wife Ada d'Avesnes, widow of Henry, Count of Grandpré.

Raoul and his first wife Adele he had: Gertrude, married first to Count Jean de Beaumont-sur-Oise (d. 1222), and second to Mathieu II de Montmorency (d.1230), Constable of France. Alienor, married first to Count Mathieu III de Beaumont-sur-Oise (d. 1208), and second to Étienne II de Sancerre (d. 1252), Grand Butler of France and son of Stephen I, Count of Sancerre.

By his third wife Ada he had three children: John, Count of Soissons Ralph (d. 1272), who was probably a trouvère (troubadour) Isabelle of Nesle, married to a Viscount of Châtellerault. Upon the death of Raoul, his son John became Count of Soissons.

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Important facts

Born
1150
Birth century
Nationality
Positions held
Count of Soissons
Also known as
Raoul de Soissons

People in Ralph, Count of Soissons's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Ralph, Count of Soissons's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Ralph, Count of Soissons?

French noble

When was Ralph, Count of Soissons born?

Ralph, Count of Soissons was born in 1150.

When did Ralph, Count of Soissons die?

Ralph, Count of Soissons died on 4 January 1235.

What nationality was Ralph, Count of Soissons?

Ralph, Count of Soissons was French.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Ralph, Count of Soissons

· Wikidata: Q2131262

· DBpedia: Ralph, Count of Soissons

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ralph, Count of Soissons. https://biography.guide/ralph-count-of-soissons/

MLA: "Ralph, Count of Soissons." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ralph-count-of-soissons/.

Chicago: "Ralph, Count of Soissons." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ralph-count-of-soissons/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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