Douce I of Provence

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Douce I (also Dulcia or Dolça, called "of Rouergue" or "of Gévaudan") (c. 1090–1127) was the daughter of Gilbert I of Gévaudan and Gerberga II of Provence and wife of Ramon Berenguer III, Count of Barcelona. In 1112, she inherited the county of Provence through her mother. She married Ramon Berenguer at Arles on 3 February that year.

In 1113, Douce ceded her rights in Provence, Gévaudan, and the viscounty of Millau to her husband. By her marriage, she had already linked the history of Provence with that of Catalonia. Her death inaugurated a period of instability in Provence, which did not terminate until the Baussenque Wars (1144-1162), in which the Provençals defeated the Catalans.

Her children with Ramon Berenguer were:

• Almodis, married Ponce de Cervera
• Berenguela or Berengaria (1116–1149), married Alfonso VII of Castile
• Ramon Berenguer (1113–1162), Count of Barcelona
• Berenguer Ramon (c. 1115–1144), Count of Provence
• Bernard, died young

Preceded by Gerberga II

Countess of Provence 1112–1127

Succeeded by Berenguer Ramon I