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  • Father-in-law of Charlemagne
  • A Bavarian count in Kraichgau and Anglachgau

Biography

Gerold of Vinzgouw was born 725 in Vinzgauw, Austria to Agilolf (690-) and died 799 Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany of unspecified causes.

Gerold of Vinzgau was a nobleman who lived in the early Middle Ages and was a key figure in the court of Charlemagne, the king of the Franks and the first Holy Roman Emperor. He is known as the father-in-law of Charlemagne because his daughter, Hildegard (758-783), married Charlemagne, making Gerold a key member of the royal family.

Gerold was born in the mid-8th century, possibly in the region of Vinzgau, which is now part of Austria. He was a member of the Alemannic nobility and was known for his military prowess and leadership abilities. He was also a devout Christian and is believed to have played a role in spreading Christianity in the region. He seems to be related to the Agilolfing family, the first ruling dynasty in Bavaria.

Gerold first came to prominence during the reign of Charlemagne's father, Pepin the Short, who appointed him as a count in the region of Bavaria. Gerold served Pepin loyally and was rewarded for his service by being appointed as the duke of Bavaria.

After Pepin's death in 768, Charlemagne succeeded him as king of the Franks, and Gerold continued to serve in the court of the new king. It was during this time that Gerold's daughter, Hildegard (758-783), caught the eye of Charlemagne, and the two were eventually married. The marriage was politically important as it helped to strengthen the ties between Charlemagne and the Alemannic nobility.

In 784, he and his wife made important donations to the newly founded abbey of Lorsch. These were estates in the vicinity of Worms and Heidelberg. As Margrave of Avaria, Gerold, his son, Eric of Friuli, and Pepin of Italy campaigned against the Avars. Gerold died on the eve of battle in 799.

Gerold continued to play a key role in Charlemagne's court, serving as a trusted advisor and military commander. He fought in numerous battles alongside Charlemagne and was instrumental in expanding the Frankish Empire, which at its height encompassed much of Western Europe.

Gerold died in 799, just a few years before Charlemagne himself passed away. He is remembered as a loyal and capable leader, a devoted Christian, and the father-in-law of one of the most important figures in European history.

Parentage

Unfortunately, there is little information available about Gerold of Vinzgau's family background, including his parents and siblings. It is believed that his family was part of the Alemannic nobility, which was a powerful political and military force in the region during the early Middle Ages.

Family

Gerold had at least two children that are known to history. His daughter, Hildegard, as mentioned earlier, married Charlemagne and became the mother of several of his children. Gerold also had a son named Gerold the Younger, who served as the count of the Alemannic Nordgau.

He was married before 754 to Emma (d. 789 or 798 or after 784), daughter of Hnabi, Duke of Alamannia. They had the following:

  1. Eric of Friuli
  2. Gerold (759-?)[1]
  3. Udalrich
  4. Hildegard (758-783), born in 754, married King Charlemagne in 771.[1]
  5. Adrian d'Orléans (c755-bef821), father of Odo I, Count of Orléans[2]
  6. Peter, Abbot of Reichenau [3]

Gerold's descendants continued to play important roles in the politics and military affairs of the region.

    1. One of his grandsons, named also Gerold, was a military commander in Italy and played a key role in the Frankish campaigns against the Lombards.
    2. Another grandson, named Adalbert, was a bishop and important religious figure in the region.



Children


Offspring of Gerold of Vinzgouw and Emma of Alamannia (730-789)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Eric of Friuli (?-799)
Hildegard (758-783) 758 30 April 783 Thionville Charlemagne (747-814)
Gerold (759-?)
Megingoz (761-?)
Udalrich (763-?)
Odon (765-?)
Adrian d'Orléans (c755-bef821) 758 Aachen 15 February 821 Aachen Waldrada (780-?)



Siblings


Offspring of Agilolf (690-) and unknown parent
Name Birth Death Joined with
Gerold of Vinzgouw (c725-799) 725 Vinzgauw, Austria 799 Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany Emma of Alamannia (730-789)


See Also

There are few contemporary references to Gerold of Vinzgau's life, as much of the historical record from this time period has been lost or destroyed. However, there are a few sources that provide insight into his life and accomplishments.

  • Charlemagne Family Ancestry
  • Graf Gerold I von Vinzgau at Find A Grave
  • wikipedia:en:Gerold of Vinzgau
  • Gerold I Graf von Vinzgau at thePeerage
  • Dukes of Swabia - Foundation for Medieval Genealogy (FMG)
  • One of the most important sources is the Royal Frankish Annals, which were a series of annals written in Latin covering the history of the Frankish Empire from the 8th to the 9th centuries. The annals provide a detailed account of many of the events that Gerold was involved in, including battles, diplomatic negotiations, and court intrigue.
  • Another important source is the Vita Karoli Magni, or the Life of Charlemagne, which was written by the monk Einhard in the 9th century. While the focus of the work is on Charlemagne, Einhard provides some insights into the role that Gerold played in the court and in the expansion of the Frankish Empire.
  • Other sources include charters, letters, and other documents that provide glimpses into Gerold's life and achievements. Some of these documents are preserved in archives and libraries throughout Europe, and scholars continue to study them to gain a better understanding of Gerold and his place in history.
  • Lapidge, Michael (2017). Hilduin of Saint-Denis: The Passio S. Dionysii in Prose and Verse. Brill. 
  • Cawley, Charles, Gerold, Foundation for Medieval Genealogy, http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SWABIAN%20NOBILITY.htm#GeroldUdalrichingerMImma, retrieved August 2012 ,, Charles Cawley's "Medieval Lands", hosted at the Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
  • Gerold, genealogie-mittelalter.de


References

  1. ^ a b Lapidge 2017, p. 5-6.
  2. ^ [Le Jan, Régine. Famille et pouvoir dans le monde franc (VIIe-Xe siècle) (in French). Publications de la Sorbonne, 2003
  3. ^ Lapidge 2017, p. 9.



Footnotes (including sources)

AMK152, Phlox, Rtol, Pmalish, MainTour

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