Robert II, comte d'Auvergne

ROBERT [II] d'Auvergne (-c1096)
s/o GUILLAUME [V] Comte d'Auvergne et de Clermont & Philippa
x <23 Jan 1051 BERTHE de Rouergue d/o HUGUES Comte de Rouergue et de Gevaudun [Toulouse] & Fé de Cerdanya (-[1063/64]
xx < 14 May 1068 JUDITH de Melgueil d/o RAYMOND [I] Comte de Melgueil & Beatrix de Poitou (->1096)

• JUDITH (-after 1109)
• GUILLAUME [VI] (-25 Jan [1136])

http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/AUVERGNE.htm#RobertIIAuvergnedied1096B

FMG: Auvergne - Famille de Guillaume IV

GUILLAUME [IV] (?—[1016]). The primary source which confirms the parentage of Comte Guillaume has not been identified. Baluze states that he was the brother of Comte Guy but cites no primary source on which this statement is based[173]. He is named in charters of his wife quoted below. Comte d'Auvergne.

m HUMBERGE, daughter of ---. "Umberga" donated property to Sauxillanges for the souls of "senioris mei Vuillelmi et…filiorum meorum tam vivis quam etiam defunctis" by undated charter, subscribed by “Hubergane...Stephani, Rotberti, Willelmi, Widoni...”[174].
"Umberga" donated property "in comitatu Arvernico in Brivatensi…ecclesiam…Luciag" to Saint-Julien de Brioude by charter dated to [988/1031], signed by "Stephanus episcopus, Robertus vicecomes, Willelmus…"[175].
"Domni Stephani episcopi, domni Rotberti, domni Vuillelmi, Umbergane comitisse matris eorum" signed the undated charter under which property was donated to Sauxillanges[176].
There is doubt about Humberge's parentage, but she may have been HUMBERGE, daughter of ETIENNE de Brioude & his second wife Adelais [Blanche] d’Anjou, a hypothesis which appears to provide a good solution to various chronological difficulties posed by references in different primary sources.
The Flandria Generosa names "Ermengardis comitissa Arvenensis" as sister of "Constantia regina Francorum", when outlining the basis for the consanguinity between their great-great-grandchildren, Baudouin VII Count of Flanders and [Hawise] de Bretagne, which provided the grounds for the couple's separation[177].
It has been assumed in many secondary sources[178] that this passage means that "Ermengarde" was the full sister of Queen Constance (who was the third wife of Robert II King of France) and therefore that she was the daughter of Guillaume [II] Comte de Provence by his second marriage to Adelais d'Anjou. However, this is chronologically impossible.
The marriage of "Ermengarde's" daughter, also named Ermengarde, to Eudes II Comte de Blois, is dated to 1005 according to the Chronicle of Alberic de Trois Fontaines[179]. Even if this date is inaccurate, the estimated birth date of Ermengarde junior's eldest son is [1010], and the marriage of her daughter is dated to 1018 (although the chronology suggests that this may have been an infant betrothal or marriage). Assuming that there is a degree of accuracy in these three dates, the daughter of "Ermengarde" Ctss d'Auvergne could not have been born later than [995] at the latest. This places the birth of "Ermengarde" senior to [980] at the very latest, about five years before Adelais's marriage to Guillaume Comte de Provence.
Given that Adelais's third marriage to Louis V King of the West Franks was childless, and her second marriage to Raymond IV Comte de Toulouse was brief, it is therefore most likely that "Ermengarde" was Adelais's daughter by her first marriage to Etienne de Brioude. Some corroboration for this hypothesis is found in the charter dated 1011 under which "Poncius comes Gabalitanensis" (who was the son of Adelais d'Anjou by her marriage to Etienne de Brioude) donated property to Saint-Julien de Brioude, for the souls of "genitorum suorum Stephani et Alais et uxoris eius Theotbergæ et filiorum eius Stephani et Poncii vel fratrum eius Bertrandi et Willelmus et nepotum eius Stephani, Rotberti et Willelmi", by charter dated Feb [1010], signed by "Roberti vicecomitis, Willelmi fratris eius…"[180].
In this scenario, Etienne, Robert and Guillaume would be the sons of Pons's full sister "Ermengarde" Ctss d'Auvergne. However, this raises yet more difficulties. The secondary sources also assume that "Ermengarde's" husband was Robert [I] Comte d'Auvergne. However, the only known son of Comte Robert [I] was Guillaume [V] Comte d'Auvergne. Assuming that the "nepotes" of Comte Pons are named in order of seniority in the 1011 charter, "Vuillelmi" would have been the youngest brother. No other reference has been to found to his assumed older brothers Etienne and Robert.
In any case, it is unlikely that Guillaume [V] Comte d'Auvergne would have been born much before [995/1000] for consistency with the dates of his marriage and his death. If this is correct, it would raise doubts about the use of the title "vicecomes" in the 1011 charter, as their father would still have been at the height of his power. All these difficulties would be solved if the "nepotes" of Comte Pons were in fact the three known sons of Guillaume [IV] Comte d'Auvergne, not of Robert [I] Comte d'Auvergne. If this is correct, "Ermengarde" would in fact have been "Humberge", who, as shown above, is named in other primary sources as the wife of Comte Guillaume.

Comte Guillaume [IV] & his wife had four children:

1. ROBERT [I] d'Auvergne (?—before 1032). "Umberga" donated property to Sauxillanges for the souls of "senioris mei Vuillelmi et…filiorum meorum tam vivis quam etiam defunctis" by undated charter, subscribed by “Hubergane...Stephani, Rotberti, Willelmi, Widoni...”[181].
"Poncius…comes…Gabalitanensis telluris necnon et Forensis patriæ" donated "ecclesiam Langat…in comitatu Gabalitensi, aliam ecclesiam…Favairolas…" to Saint-Julien de Brioude, for the souls of "genitorum suorum Stephani et Alais et uxoris eius Theotbergæ et filiorum eius Stephani et Poncii vel fratrum eius Bertrandi et Willelmus et nepotum eius Stephani, Rotberti et Willelmi", by charter dated Feb [1010], signed by "Roberti vicecomitis, Willelmi fratris eius…"[182].
"Domni Stephani episcopi, domni Rotberti, domni Vuillelmi, Umbergane comitisse matris eorum" signed the undated charter under which property was donated to Sauxillanges[183]. Comte d'Auvergne.
m ---. The name of Comte Robert [I]'s wife is not known. As explained above under his mother Humberge, it is unlikely that she was Ermengarde, daughter of Adelais d'Anjou, either by her first husband Etienne de Brioude or by her fourth husband Guillaume [II] Comte de Provence.
Comte Robert [I] & his wife had one child:

• i) GUILLAUME [V] (?—after 23 May 1059). "Poncius…comes…Gabalitanensis telluris necnon et Forensis patriæ" donated "ecclesiam Langat…in comitatu Gabalitensi, aliam ecclesiam…Favairolas…" to Saint-Julien de Brioude, for the souls of "genitorum suorum Stephani et Alais et uxoris eius Theotbergæ et filiorum eius Stephani et Poncii vel fratrum eius Bertrandi et Willelmus et nepotum eius Stephani, Rotberti et Willelmi", by charter dated Feb [1010], signed by "Roberti vicecomitis, Willelmi fratris eius…"[184]. Comte d'Auvergne et de Clermont. "Wilelmus Arvernorum comes" donated property to the church at Auvergne, with the consent of "filii…mei Stephanus, Bego et Pontius…cum Philippia conjuge mea", by charter dated 1044[185]. "Willelmi comitis…et uxor sua Philipia et filii eorum Rotbertus et Willelmus et Pontius" donated property to Sauxillanges by undated charter[186]. "Willelmus, Arvenensis princeps" donated property to Sauxillanges, for the souls of "…filiis meis et uxore mea Phylippia", by undated charter subscribed by "Rotberti comitis, Willelmi comitis, Philippiæ matris eorum"[187]. m PHILIPPA, daughter of --- (-after [1059/66]). "Wilelmus Arvernorum comes" donated property to the church at Auvergne, with the consent of "filii…mei Stephanus, Bego et Pontius…cum Philippia conjuge mea", by charter dated 1044[188]. "Guilelmus…princeps Arvernorum" donated property to the abbey of Charroux with the consent of "coniugis meæ Philippiæ ac filiorum meorum Stephani, Rotberti, Guillelmi, Pontii" by charter dated [1047][189]. "Willelmi comitis…et uxor sua Philipia et filii eorum Rotbertus et Willelmus et Pontius" donated property to Sauxillanges by undated charter[190]. "Willelmus, Arvenensis princeps" donated property to Sauxillanges, for the souls of "…filiis meis et uxore mea Phylippia", by undated charter subscribed by "'Rotberti comitis, Willelmi comitis, Philippiæ matris eorum"[191]. "Philippa" donated property to Sauxillanges, for the souls of "domni Wilelmi senioris mei ac filiorum meorum…Wilelmi, Pontii" and "pro Rotberto comite filio meo", by undated charter, subscribed by "Rotberti comitis…uxoris eius Judith"[192].

...... Comte Guillaume [V] & his wife had five children:

• (a) ETIENNE'. "Wilelmus Arvernorum comes" donated property to the church at Auvergne, with the consent of "filii…mei Stephanus, Bego et Pontius…cum Philippia conjuge mea", by charter dated 1044[193]. "Guilelmus…princeps Arvernorum" donated property to the abbey of Charroux with the consent of "coniugis meæ Philippiæ ac filiorum meorum Stephani, Rotberti, Guillelmi, Pontii" by charter dated [1047][194].
• (b) ROBERT [II] (?—[1096]). "Guilelmus…princeps Arvernorum" donated property to the abbey of Charroux with the consent of "coniugis meæ Philippiæ ac filiorum meorum Stephani, Rotberti, Guillelmi, Pontii" by charter dated [1047][195]. Comte d'Auvergne et de Gevaudan. etc.
• (c) GUILLAUME (?—before [1059/66]). "Guilelmus…princeps Arvernorum" donated property to the abbey of Charroux with the consent of "coniugis meæ Philippiæ ac filiorum meorum Stephani, Rotberti, Guillelmi, Pontii" by charter dated [1047][196]. "Willelmi comitis…et uxor sua Philipia et filii eorum Rotbertus et Willelmus et Pontius" donated property to Sauxillanges by undated charter[197]. "Willelmus, Arvenensis princeps" donated property to Sauxillanges, for the souls of "…filiis meis et uxore mea Phylippia", by undated charter subscribed by "Rotberti comitis, Willelmi comitis, Philippiæ matris eorum"[198]. "Philippa" donated property to Sauxillanges, for the souls of "domni Wilelmi senioris mei ac filiorum meorum…Wilelmi, Pontii" and "pro Rotberto comite filio meo", by undated charter, subscribed by "Rotberti comitis…uxoris eius Judith"[199].
• (d) BEGON (?—after 1044). "Wilelmus Arvernorum comes" donated property to the church at Auvergne, with the consent of "filii…mei Stephanus, Bego et Pontius…cum Philippia conjuge mea", by charter dated 1044[200].
• (e) PONCE (?—before [1059/66]). "Wilelmus Arvernorum comes" donated property to the church at Auvergne, with the consent of "filii…mei Stephanus, Bego et Pontius…cum Philippia conjuge mea", by charter dated 1044[201]. "Guilelmus…princeps Arvernorum" donated property to the abbey of Charroux with the consent of "coniugis meæ Philippiæ ac filiorum meorum Stephani, Rotberti, Guillelmi, Pontii" by charter dated [1047][202]. "Willelmi comitis…et uxor sua Philipia et filii eorum Rotbertus et Willelmus et Pontius" donated property to Sauxillanges by undated charter[203]. "Philippa" donated property to Sauxillanges, for the souls of "domni Wilelmi senioris mei ac filiorum meorum…Wilelmi, Pontii" and "pro Rotberto comite filio meo", by undated charter, subscribed by "Rotberti comitis…uxoris eius Judith"[204].

2. ÉTIENNE (?—after [1013/21]). "Umberga" donated property to Sauxillanges for the souls of "senioris mei Vuillelmi et…filiorum meorum tam vivis quam etiam defunctis" by undated charter, subscribed by “Hubergane...Stephani, Rotberti, Willelmi, Widoni...”[205]. Etienne is placed first in the list of subscribers, after his supposed mother, presumably because of his ecclesiastical position. Bishop of Clermont . "Domni Stephani episcopi, domni Rotberti, domni Vuillelmi, Umbergane comitisse matris eorum" signed the undated charter under which property was donated to Sauxillanges[206].

3. GUILLAUME. "Umberga" donated property to Sauxillanges for the souls of "senioris mei Vuillelmi et…filiorum meorum tam vivis quam etiam defunctis" by undated charter, subscribed by “Hubergane...Stephani, Rotberti, Willelmi, Widoni...”[207]. "Poncius…comes…Gabalitanensis telluris necnon et Forensis patriæ" donated "ecclesiam Langat…in comitatu Gabalitensi, aliam ecclesiam…Favairolas…" to Saint-Julien de Brioude, for the souls of "genitorum suorum Stephani et Alais et uxoris eius Theotbergæ et filiorum eius Stephani et Poncii vel fratrum eius Bertrandi et Willelmus et nepotum eius Stephani, Rotberti et Willelmi", by charter dated Feb [1010], signed by "Roberti vicecomitis, Willelmi fratris eius…"[208]. "Domni Stephani episcopi, domni Rotberti, domni Vuillelmi, Umbergane comitisse matris eorum" signed the undated charter under which property was donated to Sauxillanges[209].

4. [GUY. "Umberga" donated property to Sauxillanges for the souls of "senioris mei Vuillelmi et…filiorum meorum tam vivis quam etiam defunctis" by undated charter, subscribed by “Hubergane...Stephani, Rotberti, Willelmi, Widoni...”[210]. The charter does not specify the relationship between the subscribers and the donor. However, the names suggest that they were her sons. If that is correct, Guy may have been her youngest son.]

5. ERMENGARDE d'Auvergne (?—11 or 12 Mar after 1042).
The Flandria Generosa names "altera Ermengardis comitissa" as daughter of "Ermengardis comitissa Arvenensis", and mother of "Berta comitissa [=de Blois]", when outlining the basis for the consanguinity between Baudouin VII Count of Flanders and [Hawise] de Bretagne, which provided the grounds for the couple's separation[211].
As discussed above under her assumed mother Humberge, less chronological difficulties result if Ermengarde was in fact the daughter of Guillaume [IV] Comte d'Auvergne.
The date of her marriage is fixed by the Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines which names "comitissam Turonensem Ermengardem" as wife of "Odonem Campaniensem comitem" when recording in 1005 their joint restoration of "Turonis maioris monasterii"[212].
The necrology of Saint-Père-en-Vallée records the death "IV Id Mar" of "Ermengardis comitissa"[213].
The necrology of Pontlevoy records the death "V Id Mar" of "Ermengardis comitissa"[214].
m (1005) as his second wife, EUDES II Comte de Blois, son of EUDES I Comte de Blois & his wife Berthe de Bourgogne [Welf] ([982/83]—killed in battle Commercy 15 Nov 1037)

Dantine, Maur-François, Charles Clémence, and Ursin Durant. 1784. L’Art de Vérifier les Dates des Faits Historiques, de Chartes, des Chroniques, et Autres Anciens Monumons, depuis la Naissance de Notre-Seigneur. Édité par François Clément. 3e ed. Tome 2ème. Paris: Alexandre Jombert Jeune.

Title Translation: The Art of Verifying the Dates of Historical Facts, Charters, Chronicles, and Other Ancient Monumons, Since the Birth of Our Lord