House of Bourbon-Busset - Historical Evolution

Historical Evolution

Members of the Bourbon-Busset family later acquired the titles of count of Châlus and count of Lignières.

When the Valois-Angoulême branch on the throne was nearing its end in 16th century, Antoine de Bourbon, Duke of Vendôme was recognized as the premier prince du sang of France, although he only descended from James I, Count of La Marche (1315–1362), the younger brother of Pierre I, Duke of Bourbon.

Were the Bourbon-Busset legitimate, the position of the premier prince would have belonged to the then Count of Busset instead of to Duke Antoine. However, what is certain is that the Bourbon-Bussets, accepting their status as an illegitimate line, whether a matter of fact or law, never claimed the position, and played no significant role either at the French royal court or in the politics of the nation.

Similarly, upon the death of Henry III of France, were the Bourbon-Busset a legitimate dynastical line, the crown should have passed to César de Bourbon-Busset (1565–1630), in male line the late king's 10th cousin. However, he never claimed the crown, and was not proposed by any known partisans as an alternative choice when King Henry III of Navarre, his agnatic 7th cousin once removed, Antoine's son, became king of France and César's liege lord.