Walbert I

Not to be confused with Waldebert.
Walbert I, Count of the Ardennes
PredecessorAuberon
SuccessorWalbert II
BornWalbert I
Roman Gaul
Diedc. 528-538
Kingdom of Austrasia, Francia
Spouse(s)Lucille of Pannonia
FatherAlbéron
MotherArgotte of the Ostrogoths

Walbert I, Vaubert, Waudbert, or Vautier (died c. 528-535 AD) also known as Walbert of the Ardennes (French: Walbert I d'Ardennes) was a Frankish nobleman and a Merovingian Count of Hainaut.

Biography

Walbert I was born in Roman Gaul during the 5th century. He was baptized around c. 500 AD by Saint Remigius.[1]

The son of Auberon (also referred to as Albéron, Aldaric, or Alberic) and Argotte of the Ostrogoths, daughter of Theodoric the Great, King of the Ostrogoths, Walbert was one of five sons born to the lord of the Ardennes.[2] Walbert I was the grandson of Clodion, King of the Franks. [3][4] He was the sole survivor of Clodion the Hairy's lineage, spared by Clovis I while the rest were killed after Clovis was deprived of the throne by Merovech. Walbert was sent to Rome as a child.[5]

Walbert's son, Anselbert the Senator, and his wife Blitilde. In the year 528 AD.

After seeking refuge with fifth-century East Roman Emperor Zeno, Walbert I married his sister Lucille of Pannonia. With Lucille, he fathered two sons, Walbert II and Ansbert (or Anselbert), both of whom became patricians with the latter appointed as a Gallo-Roman senator.[6] He was the father of another son, Ydulf, whom he had with Clothilde (or Rothilde) of Hainaut and the Adrennes, daughter of Athalaric, the King of Ostrogothic Italy.[7][4]

The eldest son of Walbert I, Ansbert the Senator, was appointed by Emperor Justinian as the marquisate of the Holy Empire on the Escaut and the duchy of Moselle, covering territory from Metz to Cologne, including Luxembourg.[2][8] Ansbert supposedly married Princess Blitilde, daughter (or granddaughter) of Clotaire, and fathered Anchise and Arnoald, bishop of Metz.[2]

Count Walbert's alliance with the Thuringii sparked jealousy in King Clotaire, who governed the Kingdom of Soissons and the nearby lands of the pagus Hainoensis (present-day Hainaut). Fearing Walbert's claim to the throne as Clodion's grandson, Clotaire seized his lands. Ultimately, Walbert died in exile due to his perceived treachery, seeking refuge in the Church.[7]

Death

Count Walbert I died in c. 538 in Austrasia, Francia.[2]

References

  1. ^ Gambier, A. (1789). Essai historique sur la rentrée des biens tant à l'église qu'à la nation, avec des réflexions sur la nature de ces biens. (n.p.): (n.p.).
  2. ^ a b c d Neyen, A. (1860). Biographie luxembourgeoise. Histoire des hommes distingues originaires de ce pays, considere a l'epoque de sa plus grande etendue (etc.). Luxembourg: Bruck.
  3. ^ Le Carpentier, J. (1668). Histoire genealogique de la noblesse des Païs-Bas, ou Histoire de Cambray, et du Cambresis,: contenant ce qui s'y est passé sous les empereurs, & les rois de France & d'Espagne; enrichie des genealogies, eloges, & armes des comtes, ducs, evesques ... : le tout divisé en IV. parties. Netherlands: chez l'Autheur.
  4. ^ a b The British Magazine and Monthly Register of Religious and Ecclesiastical Information, Parochial History, and Documents Respecting the State of the Poor, Progress of Education, &c. (1844). United Kingdom: J. Turrill.
  5. ^ Vinchant, F. (1853). Annales de la province et comté du Hainaut. Belgium: A. Vandale.
  6. ^ MASSON, F. X. (1861). Annales Ardennaises, ou histoire des lieux qui forment le département des Ardennes et des contrées voisines. tom. 1. (n.p.): Lelaurin.
  7. ^ a b Vinchant, F. (1648). Annales de la province et comté d'Haynau où l'on voit la suitte des comtes depuis leur commencement. (n.p.): De L'Imprimerie de Jean Havart.
  8. ^ Annales du Cercle Archéologique de Mons. (1888). (n.p.): Dequesne-Masquillier.