Guigues VIII of Viennois

Who was Guigues VIII of Viennois?

Guigues VIII de la Tour-du-Pin was the Dauphin of Vienne from 1318 to his death. He was the eldest son of the Dauphin John II and Beatrice of Hungary.

Only nine years of age when his father died, he succeeded under the regency of his uncle Henri Dauphin, the bishop-elect of Metz, which was exercised until 1323. Knight and combatant par excellence, in 1325, at the age of sixteen, he took Varey, near Pont d'Ain, in a brilliant battle against the Savoyards. Contemporary chronicles say that "l'ost de Savoye fut bellement desconfit." From that date to his death, Guigues was in constant conflict with his Savoyard neighbours.

French influence was reinforced during his reign, especially by his marriage to Isabelle, daughter of Philip V of France. In 1328, at the Battle of Cassel, Philip VI entrusted to Guigues the command of the Seventh Corps, with its twelve banners. In the battle the Flemish burgers were smashed by the French chivalry. For his courage, Guigues was rewarded with the Maison aux Piliers in Grève, Paris.

Guigues was killed while besieging the Savoyard castle of Perrière in 1333. He left the Dauphiné to his brother Humbert II. He was buried in Saint-André in Grenoble.