Humfrid

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Humfrid (also Humsfrid, Unifred, or Hunifredo) was the Count of Barcelona, Girona, Empúrias, Roussillon, and Narbonne from 858 to 865.

A Frank he had no prior connection to Gothia being from Burgundy before he was appointed. He rebelled against Louis the German, the king of East Francia, and was forced to flee and seek refuge with Charles the Bald, the king of West Francia. He was one of Charles few loyal nobles. Charles appointed Humfrid Count and Margrave of several counties in the Marca Hispanica.

In 858, Humfrid immediately negotiated Peace treaty of peace with Abd al-Rahman, Governor of Zaragoza to secure the Empires southern boarders. Thereafter he marched into Gaul to assist Charles. He arrived at Beaune in February and did homage to the king on 21 March. He then joined Charles in his war against the Norsemen who were attacking the kingdoms eastern coasts.

However Louis took this as an opportunity to invade the country. Humfrid assisted Charles in beating this attack back. In September, Humfrid regrouped with his forces at Beaune before joining Charles at the victory over Louis at Saint Quentin on 15 January 859.

However to the south the Moors broke the peace treaty and in 861 besieged Barcelona. Humfrid bought them off and renewed the treaty with the consent of Charles.

In 862, Charles made his son Charles the Child King of Aquitaine. This was opposed by the nobles, who did not support the young Charles. The elder Charles accused Humfrid of disloyalty in the subsequent rebellion. On 19 August, Humfrid was deposed. He however refused to submit. He attacked and took Toulouse killing Count Raymond I in the fighting. Charles responded by confiscating Humfrid's Burgundiand lands. The pretender Pepin II of Aquitaine subsequently led a band of Norsemen in an attack on Toulouse, but was repulsed. Humfrid then fled to Italy in 865.