Gerold of Vinzgouw

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Gerold of Vinzgouw (730-799) was an Alamannian nobleman, serving the Frankish King as Margrave of the Avarian March and Prefect of Bavaria.

In 757, he married Imma (739 - 789), who bore him the sons Eric, Gerold and Udalrich and a daughter called Hildegard, who in 771 married King Charlemagne.

Gerold played a significant role in the integration of Bavaria into the Frankish Kingdom. Being related to the family of the Agilofings, he was appointed Prefect of Bavaria after the deposition of Duke Tassilo III in 788.

In 784 generous donations to the monastery of Lorsch by Gerold and Imma are recorded.

In 799 he fell in a battle against the Avars, a short while after his son Eric was killed by the treachery of the same. He was succeeded by his surviving sons Gerold II and Udalrich I.

Through the latter, Gerold is reckoned as the founder of the family of the Udalrichians.