William VII the Young of Auvergne
Encyclopedia
William VII "the Young" of Auvergne was a Count
of the region of Auvergne
, France
during the years 1145-1168. He accompanied the French king, Louis VII
, on the Second Crusade
.
William was the first Count of Auvergne to be given the title Dauphin
(Prince). What is by convenience called the dauphinate of Auvergne was in reality the remnant of the county of Auvergne after the usurpation of William VII around 1155 by his uncle, William VIII the Old.
The young count was able to maintain his status in part of his county, especially Beaumont
, Chamalières
, and Montferrand
. Some authors have therefore named William VII and his descendants "counts of Clermont" (although this risks confusion with the county of Clermont
in Beauvaisais and the episcopal county of Clermont
in Auvergne). The majority of authors, however, anticipating the formalization of the dauphinate in 1302, choose to call William VII and his successors the dauphins of Auvergne. Still others, out of convenience, choose to call these successors the "counts-dauphins of Auvergne."
The title of dauphin of Auvergne was derived from William VII's mother, who was the daughter of the Dauphin de Viennois, Guigues IV. This meant that William VII's male descendants were usually given "Dauphin" as a second name.
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
of the region of 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....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
during the years 1145-1168. He accompanied the French king, Louis VII
Louis VII of France
Louis VII was King of France, the son and successor of Louis VI . He ruled from 1137 until his death. He was a member of the House of Capet. His reign was dominated by feudal struggles , and saw the beginning of the long rivalry between France and England...
, on the Second Crusade
Second Crusade
The Second Crusade was the second major crusade launched from Europe. The Second Crusade was started in response to the fall of the County of Edessa the previous year to the forces of Zengi. The county had been founded during the First Crusade by Baldwin of Boulogne in 1098...
.
William was the first Count of Auvergne to be given the title Dauphin
Dauphin of Auvergne
Dauphin d'Auvergne, or in Occitan Dalfi d'Alvernha was Count of Clermont and Montferrand , troubadour and patron of troubadours. He was born c. 1150 and died in 1234 or 1235...
(Prince). What is by convenience called the dauphinate of Auvergne was in reality the remnant of the county of Auvergne after the usurpation of William VII around 1155 by his uncle, William VIII the Old.
The young count was able to maintain his status in part of his county, especially Beaumont
Beaumont, Puy-de-Dôme
Beaumont is a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department in Auvergne in central France. The commune lies to the south of the famous dormant volcano, the Puy-de-Dôme which is clearly visible, including the telecommunication antennas that sit on its top.-People born in Beaumont:* Audrey Tautou ,...
, Chamalières
Chamalières
Chamalières is a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department in Auvergne in central France.Chamalières is the third-largest town in the department and lies about from Lyon.-History:...
, and Montferrand
Montferrand
Montferrand may refer to the following places in France:* Montferrand, Puy-de-Dôme, a former town, now part of Clermont-Ferrand* Montferrand, Aude, a commune in the department of Aude* Montferrand-du-Périgord, a commune in the department of Dordogne...
. Some authors have therefore named William VII and his descendants "counts of Clermont" (although this risks confusion with the county of Clermont
Clermont, Oise
Clermont is a small city in northern France. It is designated municipally as a commune within the département of Oise.-Main sights:* Church St Samson containing numerous Painting from the seventeenth century...
in Beauvaisais and the episcopal county of Clermont
Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand is a city and commune of France, in the Auvergne region, with a population of 140,700 . Its metropolitan area had 409,558 inhabitants at the 1999 census. It is the prefecture of the Puy-de-Dôme department...
in Auvergne). The majority of authors, however, anticipating the formalization of the dauphinate in 1302, choose to call William VII and his successors the dauphins of Auvergne. Still others, out of convenience, choose to call these successors the "counts-dauphins of Auvergne."
The title of dauphin of Auvergne was derived from William VII's mother, who was the daughter of the Dauphin de Viennois, Guigues IV. This meant that William VII's male descendants were usually given "Dauphin" as a second name.