Gauzbert (; died 853) was
Count of Maine from 840 to 853. He was a member of the Rorgonide family, son of
Gauzlin I of Maine, lord of Maine and Adeltrude.
He is recorded for the first time in 839 in a charter of his brother Count
Rorgon I of Maine. Rorgon died shortly afterwards, leaving very young children, and Gauzbert took over the government, organising the defense of the County of Maine against the Vikings. He also fought against
Lambert II, Count of Nantes. In 852 he killed Lambert in an ambush.
In 853, Gauzbert's overlord
Charles the Bald
Charles the Bald (french: Charles le Chauve; 13 June 823 – 6 October 877), also known as Charles II, was a 9th-century king of West Francia (843–877), king of Italy (875–877) and emperor of the Carolingian Empire (875–877). After a ...
accused him of making an alliance with the Bretons, who were in revolt against him, and, according to some reports, had him executed. The execution is said to have incited other Frankish grandees to revolt and appeal for help to Charles' half-brother and rival
Louis the German
Louis the German (c. 806/810 – 28 August 876), also known as Louis II of Germany and Louis II of East Francia, was the first king of East Francia, and ruled from 843 to 876 AD. Grandson of emperor Charlemagne and the third son of Louis the P ...
. However, according to the ''Chronique de Saint-Maixent'', Gauzbert was ambushed and killed by citizens of Nantes in revenge for the death of Lambert.
[''Chronique de Saint-Maixent'', p.59 "''Gaubert, comte du Maine tomba dans une embuscade des Nantais et fut tué''"]
It is not known whether he was married or had children. He was succeeded by his nephew
Rorgon II of Maine
Rorgon II ( – ) was the Count of Maine
Maine () is a state in the New England and Northeastern regions of the United States. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the southeast, and the Canadian provinces of New ...
.
Notes
External links
France Balade*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gauzbert, Count Of Maine
853 deaths
Counts of Maine
Year of birth unknown