Bernard I, comte de Poitiers

Medlands: B. COMTES de POITOU [828]-902 (FAMILY of EMENON)

Three brothers, parents not known:

1. EMENON ([810]-Rancogne 22 Jun 866, bur Angoulême Saint-Cybard). He was presumably installed as Comte in Poitou in [826/28] by Pepin I King of Aquitaine.

2. BERNARD (-killed in battle [844/45]). The Chronicle of Adémar de Chabannes records that "Emeno…comes Pictavinus" declared "filium Pipini [rex Aquitanie filius imperatoris]" as king of Aquitaine after his father's death, in opposition to the emperor who invaded Poitou and expelled Emenon "et fratrem eius Bernardum", specifying that Bernard sought refuge with "Rainaldum comitem Arbatilicensem"[248]. According to the Chronicon Aquitanicum, he was killed while fighting with Renaud Comte d'Herbauge [et de Nantes][249], but other sources record that Bernard was killed with Renaud's son Hervé. The Annales Engolismenses record that "Bernardus et Herveus" were killed in 844[250]. The Chronicle of Adémar de Chabannes records that "Bernardus comes Pictavinus et Arueus filius Rainoldi" were defeated and killed by "Lanberto comite" the year after Hervé's father was killed[251]. The Chronicle of Saint-Maxence records that "Bernardus comes Pictavensis et Arveus filius Rainaldi" were killed fighting "Lamberto comite" in 845[252].

m BILICHILIDIS, daughter of RORICO Comte du Maine & his wife Bilichildis ---. The origin of the wife of Comte Bernard is deduced from the Historia Inventionis Sanctii Baudelli naming "Gothorum princeps Bernardus cum avunculo suo Gauzleno tunc inclito Abbate, futuro autem episcopo"[253]. Flodoard's Historia Remensis Ecclesiæ also names "Gozlino…Bernardo nepote ipsius", referring to Bernard Marquis of Septimania and his rebellion dated to [877][254]. She is named in the record of the excommunication by Pope John VIII of "Bernardum filium Bernardi et Belihildis" in 879[255]. It is possible that Bilichildis was the same daughter of Comte Rorico who later married Rainulf Comte de Poitou. Bernard & his wife had two children:

a) BERNARD (-after 879). The Annales Bertiniani name "rex markiones Bernardum scilicet Tolosæ et iterum Bernardum Gothiæ, itemque Bernardum alium" in 868[256]. He was installed as Marquis of Septimania, and Comte d'Autun in 876. He was deprived of his territories in 877 by Hugues "l'Abbé" who installed Rainulf II Comte de Poitou in his place. The Annales Bertiniani name "Bernardum Gothiæ markionem" in 877[257]. Pope John VIII excommunicated "Bernardum filium Bernardi et Belihildis" in 879[258]. He rebelled against Bernard "Plantevelue" in 879 but was defeated. The Annales Bertiniani record the rebellion of "Bernardi markionis" in 878[259]. The Gesta regum Francorum records in 880 the submission of "Bernhardum" to "filiis Hludowici" during their fight against "Buosenem in Gallia"[260], although it is not certain that this refers to the same person.
b) EMENON . The Annales Bertiniani name "Imino frater Bernardi markionis" when recording his usurpation of "Ebrocensum civitatem" in 878[261]. Pope John VIII excommunicated "Emenonem Bernardi comitis germanum" in 878[262]. He rebelled with his brother against Bernard "Plantevelue" in 879.

3. TURPION (-killed near Saintes 4 Oct 863). The Chronicle of Adémar de Chabannes records that "Turpionem…comitem" was installed as Comte d'Angoulême, his origin being confirmed by a subsequent passage which states that "Emeno [comes Pictavinus]" fled to "Turpionem fratrem suum" after he was expelled from Poitou[263]. A recital (undated) of two miracles attributed to relics conserved in the abbey of Charroux names "Ademarus filius Emenonis comitis Engolismensis et frater Turpionis eque comitis Engolismensis"[264]. The Chronicle of Adémar de Chabannes records that "Turpio" was killed by the Vikings and succeeded in Angoulême by "Emeno frater eius"[265]. The Chronicle of Saint-Maxence records that "Turpio" was killed fighting the Vikings[266]. The Annales Engolismenses record the death "863 IV Non Oct" of "Turpio comes"[267].

http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/AQUITAINE.htm#Bernarddied844

___________

From the French Wikipedia page of Bernard I de Poitiers:

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Ier_de_Poitiers

Bernard Ier de Poitiers est un comte de Poitiers de la première moitié du IXe siècle.

Certitudes

Ce comte n'est cité que par deux documents. Le premier est un compte rendu d'un plaid présidé en 815 en son nom par un noble du nom de Godil, probablement vicomte. Comme un autre document de 814 ou de 815, cite un certain Ricuin avec ce titre de comte de Poitiers, il est probable que la nomination de Bernard comme comte de Poitiers soit très récente. Le second document le mentionne à propos d'un don fait à l'abbaye de Saint-Maixent en 1825[1].

Il meurt ou est nommé ailleurs peu après cette seconde date, car en 828, le comté de Poitiers est tenu par le comte Émenon.

Hypothèses

La Foundation for Medieval Genealogy pense qu'il a été nommé par le roi Pépin Ier d'Aquitaine[2] alors que Michel Dillange pense qu'il préférait résider à la cour impériale plutôt qu'à celle du roi d'Aquitaine, laissant la gestion du comté à ses subordonnés[1].

Les opinions divergent sur sa famille. Michel Dillange estime que le prénom de Bernard est déjà très répandu dans l'aristocratie carolingienne, qu'il est difficile de l'identifier avec d'autres comtes homonymes contemporains[1]. La Foundation for Medieval Genealogy le rapproche d'un homonyme cité à deux reprises en 775 parmi les fidèles de Charlemagne, et d'un comte Bernard mentionné en 811 dans les Annales d'Eginhard comme l'un des signataires d'une paix avec les Vikings [2]. Christian Settipani en fait un fils d'Alleaume et le père de d'Émenon, comte de Poitiers, de Turpion, comte d'Angoulême, et de Bernard le Poitevin, également comte de Poitiers[3]. Sans s'étendre sur ses raisons[4], on peut sans grand risque estimer qu'il s'appuie sur l'onomastique et le fait que deux des fils que Settipani lui attribue se sont ensuite succédé à Poitiers. Mais ses conclusions restent à prendre avec prudence : comme l'a dit Michel Dillange, le prénom de Bernard était alors déjà répandu dans l'aristocratie[1], et l'hérédité des fiefs est encore loin d'être une pratique courante[5].

En 827, Bernard de Septimanie qui défend la marche d'Espagne est en difficulté face aux Musulmans et demande des renforts. L'empereur Louis le Pieux lève immédiatement une armée qu'il confie à son fils Pépin d'Aquitaine, mais ce dernier, opposé à son père depuis la naissance du futur Charles le Chauve, avance tellement lentement que Bernard de Septimanie manque d'être défait. Il parvient à redresser seul la situation, mais l'empereur réagit avec violence à la trahison de son fils. Ne pouvant l'attaquer directement, il s'en prend à son entourage. Michel Dillange estime alors que Bernard de Poitiers a probablement fait partie des victimes de la purge[6]. Si l'hypothèse de Michel Dillange est fondée, on ne peut plus accepter les conclusions de Settipani : Bernard de Septimanie est un neveu d'Alleaume, on ne voit pas pourquoi Bernard de Poitiers aurait laissé succomber son cousin germain, et on ne voit pas non plus pourquoi Louis le Pieux aurait confié Poitiers au fils d'un traitre.

Notes et références

1.↑ a, b, c et d Dillange 1995, p. 29-30

2.↑ a et b FMG : Carolingian Nobility

3.↑ Settipani 2004, p. 196

4.↑ Il prévoit de le faire dans le second volume de la La préhistoire des Capétiens, encore à paraître.

5.↑ Le Capitulaire de Quierzy qui est considéré, à tort, comme l'acte instituant l'hérédité des fiefs ne fut signé qu'en 877.

6.↑ Dillange 1995, p. 31-32

Bibliographie

Michel Dillange, Les Comtes de Poitou, Ducs d'Aquitaine (778-1204), Geste éditions, coll. « La Crèche », 1995, 304 p. (ISBN 2-910919-09-9)

Christian Settipani, La Noblesse du Midi Carolingien, Prosopographica et genealogica, Oxford, 2004, 388 p. (ISBN 1-900934-04-3)

In English:

Bernard I de Poitiers was the Comte de Poitiers in the first half of the 9th century.

Certainties:

The count was only cited in two documents. The first is a report from 815 written by a nobleman named Godil, probably a Vicomte. Another document of 814 or 815 cites a Ricwin with the title of Comte de Poitiers, it is likely that the appointment of Bernaud Comte de Poitiers was when he was very young. The second document mentioned a donation to the Abbey of St-Mixient in 825.

He died or was otherwise annointed shortly after this date, because in 828, the County of Poitiers was held by Comte Emenon.

Assumptions:

The Foundation for Medieval Genealogy believes he was appointed by King Pippen I of Aquitaine while Michel Dillange thinks he preferred to reside at the Imperial Court, rather than that of the King of Aquitaine, leaving the management of the country to his subordinates.

Opinions differ on his family. Michel Dillange believes that the name of Bernaud was already widespread in the Carolingian aristocracy, and it is difficult to identify with other contemporary Comte names. The Foundation for Medieval Genealogy notes his namesake city twice in 775 among the followers of Charlemagne, and a count Bernaud is mentioned in 811 in the Annals d'Eginhard as one of the signatories of a peace with the Vikings. Christian Settipani says that he is actually a son of Alleaume and the father of Emenon Comte de Poitiers, Turpion Comte d'Angouleme, and Bernaud Poitevin, also a Comte de Poitiers. Without going into his reasons, we can without risk figure, based on onomastics, that two of her sons that Settipani attributes were then successors in Poitiers. But his conclusions remain to be taken with caution, said Michel Dillange, the name of Bernard was then already prevalent in the aristocracy, and the inheritance of fiefs was still far from common practice.

In 827, Bernard Septimanie defending the Marches of Spain is in trouble with the Muslims and calls for reinforcements. The Emperor Louis the Pious immediately raises an army to which he entrusts Pepin of Aquitaine. But the latter opposed his father since the birth of the future Charles the Bald, and advances so slowly that Bernard Septimane is defeated before their arrival. He manages to rectify the situation on his own, but the emperor reacts violently to the treachery of his son. Unable to attack him directly, he attacks his family. Michel Dillange believes that Bernard de Poitiers is one of the purge victims. If we use the assumption of Michel Dillange, we cannot use the assumption of Settipani: Bernard is a nephew of Allaume Septimania, and we do not see why Bernaud de Poitiers would have left his cousin to die, and it is not clear why Louis the Pious had warned Poitiers, the son of the traitor.