Raymond II of Rouergue
Encyclopedia
Raymond II (was born circa 904 to Ermengaud de Rouergue (c870-937) and Adelaide (c875-?) and died 961 or 965) was the count of Rouergue and Quercy
from 937 to his death. Under Raymond, Rouergue achieved a suzerainty over neighbouring counties and he successfully titled himself Margrave (marchio) of Septimania.
Raymond's lordship extended over Albi and Nîmes
and, at least around 960, as far north as the Limousin
. Raymond was the head of his family, which also ruled Toulouse
. Even in his time, his family appeared to be declining. He willed a Gascon
fief to Duke Sancho V and allowed it to become allodial after his death. Nonetheless, his power was such that he could command lands as far north as Auvergne
and was the most powerful lord of Aquitaine
, even holding a "vicar's court" in the Limousin.
His will of 961 is presereved. In it, not only does he reference the aforementioned lands in Auvergne and Gascony, but he mentions seventeen castles and a rocheta. Some castles were given to his wife and heirs and some to the churches of Albi and Cahors
and to various abbeys.
Raymond married Bertha, daughter of Boso of Tuscany
. He was succeeded by his son Raymond III
.
Quercy
Quercy is a former province of France located in the country's southwest, bounded on the north by Limousin, on the west by Périgord and Agenais, on the south by Gascony and Languedoc, and on the east by Rouergue and Auvergne....
from 937 to his death. Under Raymond, Rouergue achieved a suzerainty over neighbouring counties and he successfully titled himself Margrave (marchio) of Septimania.
Raymond's lordship extended over Albi and Nîmes
Nîmes
Nîmes is the capital of the Gard department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France. Nîmes has a rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire, and is a popular tourist destination.-History:...
and, at least around 960, as far north as the Limousin
Limousin (province)
Limousin is one of the traditional provinces of France around the city of Limoges. Limousin lies in the foothills of the western edge of the Massif Central, with cold weather in the winter...
. Raymond was the head of his family, which also ruled Toulouse
Toulouse
Toulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...
. Even in his time, his family appeared to be declining. He willed a Gascon
Gascony
Gascony is an area of southwest France that was part of the "Province of Guyenne and Gascony" prior to the French Revolution. The region is vaguely defined and the distinction between Guyenne and Gascony is unclear; sometimes they are considered to overlap, and sometimes Gascony is considered a...
fief to Duke Sancho V and allowed it to become allodial after his death. Nonetheless, his power was such that he could command lands as far north as Auvergne
Auvergne (province)
Auvergne was a historic province in south central France. It was originally the feudal domain of the Counts of Auvergne. It is now the geographical and cultural area that corresponds to the former province....
and was the most powerful lord of Aquitaine
Aquitaine
Aquitaine , archaic Guyenne/Guienne , is one of the 27 regions of France, in the south-western part of metropolitan France, along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range on the border with Spain. It comprises the 5 departments of Dordogne, :Lot et Garonne, :Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes...
, even holding a "vicar's court" in the Limousin.
His will of 961 is presereved. In it, not only does he reference the aforementioned lands in Auvergne and Gascony, but he mentions seventeen castles and a rocheta. Some castles were given to his wife and heirs and some to the churches of Albi and Cahors
Cahors
Cahors is the capital of the Lot department in south-western France.Its site is dramatic being contained on three sides within an udder shaped twist in the river Lot known as a 'presqu'île' or peninsula...
and to various abbeys.
Raymond married Bertha, daughter of Boso of Tuscany
Boso of Tuscany
Boso was the count of Arles and Avignon , and margrave of Tuscany . He was the younger son of Theobald of Arles and Bertha, illegitimate daughter of Lothair II of Lotharingia. His elder brother was Hugh, king of Italy.Boso supported his brother's Italian designs...
. He was succeeded by his son Raymond III
Raymond III of Rouergue
Raymond III was the count of Rouergue and Quercy from 961 or 965 to his death. Raymond achieved a suzerainty over neighbouring counties and successfully titled himself marchio or margrave of Septimania...
.
Sources
- Lewis, Archibald R. The Development of Southern French and Catalan Society, 718-1050. http://libro.uca.edu/lewis/sfc11.htm http://libro.uca.edu/lewis/sfc12.htm