Gauzbert of Maine
Encyclopedia
Gauzbert was Count of Maine from 840 to 853. He was a member of the Rorgonide family, son of Gauzlin I, 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 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
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
. However, according to the Chronique de Saint-Maixent, Gauzbert was ambushed and killed by the people of Nantes.
It is not known whether he was married or had children. He was succeeded by his nephew Rorgon II of Maine.
He is recorded for the first time in 839 in a charter of his brother Count Rorgon I of Maine
Rorgon I of Maine
Rorgon I or Rorico I was the first Count of Maine of the Rorgonid dynasty, which he founded. He was Count of Rennes from 819 and of Maine from 832 until his death....
. Rorgon died shortly afterwards, leaving very young children, and Gauzbert took over the government, organising the defense the County of Maine against the Vikings. He also fought against Lambert II
Lambert II of Nantes
Lambert II was the Count of Nantes and Prefect of the Breton March between 843 and 851. Lambert ruled the county in opposition to Amaury, the puppet count installed by Charles the Bald, King of West Francia. At his death, the county was effectively in Breton control...
, Count of Nantes. In 852 he killed Lambert in an ambush.
In 853, Gauzbert's overlord Charles the Bald
Charles the Bald
Charles the Bald , Holy Roman Emperor and King of West Francia , was the youngest son of the Emperor Louis the Pious by his second wife Judith.-Struggle against his brothers:He was born on 13 June 823 in Frankfurt, when his elder...
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
Louis the German , also known as Louis II or Louis the Bavarian, was a grandson of Charlemagne and the third son of the succeeding Frankish Emperor Louis the Pious and his first wife, Ermengarde of Hesbaye.He received the appellation 'Germanicus' shortly after his death in recognition of the fact...
. However, according to the Chronique de Saint-Maixent, Gauzbert was ambushed and killed by the people of Nantes.
It is not known whether he was married or had children. He was succeeded by his nephew Rorgon II of Maine.