Editing Arthur I, Duke of Brittany (section)

==Succession==
The mystery surrounding Arthur's death complicated his succession. This succession was presumably influenced by both King John and King Philip II.{{efn|While John remained suzerain over Brittany, he was also vassal to Philip II of France, and so the succession of Brittany relied as much on John's preferences, as on Philip's agreement. }} There were no male heirs to the ducal crown and so his succession as duke was constrained to several choices among his sisters.

His sister [[Eleanor, Fair Maid of Brittany|Eleanor, the 'Fair Maid of Brittany']], was also King John's prisoner. Eleanor also presented a complicating factor, if not a threat, to John's succession plans as King of England. While permitted by John to claim her rights to Brittany, she remained imprisoned for the rest of her life, through the reign of John's actual successor, his son [[Henry III of England]]. While imprisoned, she never married and had no issue. Her imprisonment and the fact that she was located in England made it impossible for her to reign as hereditary Duchess of Brittany. John allowed her to succeed Richmond but gave her no lands of the Earldom.

Arthur I was succeeded by his half-sister, [[Alix, Duchess of Brittany|Alix of Thouars]], the daughter of Constance and her third husband Guy of Thouars.{{efn|This succession was agreed by Philip II of France. Philip replaced Guy as Alix's regent and then arranged her marriage to [[Pierre I, Duke of Brittany|Pierre Mauclerc]] of the [[House of Dreux]]. The House of Dreux was a junior branch within the Capetian dynasty.}}