Rorgonids

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Rorgonids were a powerful Frankish family dating from the eighth century. They are sometimes referred to as the first Mayennaise dynasty, referring to the city of Mayenne, and are the original counts of Maine. The Rorgonids were named after Rorgon I, Count of Maine, who was the progenitor of the dynasty. His son, Gauzfrid, Count of Maine, was the first to hold power in the Norman March of Neustria. The Rorgonids controlled the County of Maine throughout the ninth century.

Rorgon I, Count of MaineRorgon I or Rorico(n) I (also Rorgo or Rorich; died 16 June 839 or 840) was the first count of Maine and progenitor of the Rorgonid dynasty, which is named for him. He was count of Rennes from 819 and of Maine from 832 until his death.

ChariviusCharivius (French Hervé) was the FrankishDuke of Maine (dux Cenomannicus) in the early eighth century. His father was Chrotgar, Duke of Maine, son or grandson of Chrodbert, count Palatine of Chlothar III, and so brother of Lambert, Count of Hesbaye. In 723 he seized the revenues of the Diocese of Le Mans. On the death of the bishop he took control of the see and its monasteries and appointed his illiterate son (fr) bishop.Counts and dukes of MaineThis is a list of counts and dukes of the province of Maine prior to its annexation by France to the royal domain in the thirteenth century.

Marches of NeustriaThe Marches of Neustria (French: Marches de Neustrie; Breton: Marz Neustria; Norman: Maurches de Neûtrie) were two marches created in 861 by the Carolingian king of West FranciaCharles the Bald. They were ruled by officials appointed by the Monarchy of France (or the Crown), known as , prefects or margraves (French: marquis). One march (the Breton March) was created as a buffer against the Bretons and the other (the Norman March) against the Norsemen.

WidonidsThe Widonids (Italian: Guideschi) were an Italian family of Frankish origin prominent in the 9th century. They were an aggressive dynasty that expanded their power base, the Duchy of Spoleto, at the expense of the neighboring Papal States and in alliance with the Carolingian dynasty, to whom they were related through the female line. Through this relation, the Widonids were able to aspire to the imperial throne.Geoffrey I, Viscount of ChâteaudunGeoffrey I(Gauzfred I) (d. after 985), possibly the son of Geoffroy, Viscount of Chartres, is the first Viscount of Châteaudun and thus regarded as the founder of the House of Châteaudun, vassal of the House of Blois. It is assumed that Geoffrey descended from Rorgon I, Count of Maine, and therefore part of the Rogonid/Rorgonid dynasty. Little is known about Geoffrey, other than he was closely associated with Hardouin, Archbishop of Tours.Lambert, Count of HesbayeLambert was the father of a Frankish noble named Robert, who was described in 741 AD as a "count or duke" in the neighbouring regions of Hesbaye, in what is now northeastern Belgium, and Maasau, which stretches into what is now the Netherlands. No other record about this Lambert exists.

Christian SettipaniChristian Settipani (born 31 January 1961) is a French genealogist, historian and IT professional, currently working as the Technical Director of a company in Paris.

Counts and viscounts of ChâteaudunThe County of Châteaudun was held in the 9th century by counts who also held the County of Blois. Theobald I created the first viscount of Châteaudun with the appointment of Geoffrey I, founder of the House of Châteaudun. The viscounts were entrusted with the government of the county of Châteaudun, records of whom are continuous from the mid-10th century.Gauzfrid of MaineGauzfrid of Maine (died 878) was both Count of Maine and Margrave of the Norman March from 865 until his death. He was a son of Rorgon of Maine by his wife Bilechilde. In 861, Charles the Bald, king of West Francia, created the March of Neustria, combining the Norman March and the Breton March. They were invested to Adalard the Seneschal and Robert the Strong, respectively. Gauzfrid and his brother Rorgon II, who was Count of Maine at the time, revolted against Robert.

Mayenne (commune)Mayenne (, French:) is a commune in the Mayennedepartment, northwestern France. It is a subprefecture of the department. It is situated on the river Mayenne. HistoryIn medieval times, the town was the seat of the Lords of Mayenne. The town originated when Juhel II of Mayenne (lord of Mayenne, Gorron and Ambrières (1110–1161)) built a monastery near the gate of the pre-existing castle, which led to the formation of the settlement.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.