Hugh V, Count of Maine

Ugo V
Count of Maine
Predecessor Alberto Azzo
Successor Elio
Born approx. 1055
Died 1131

Hugh V was the Count of Maine from 1069 until 1072.

Life

He was the son of Azzo d'Este and Gersendis (a sister of Count Hugh IV).[1] In 1070, the citizens of Le Mans and some of the Manceaux barons revolted against Norman control.[2] After securing the southern border of Normandy and expelling the Normans, they invited young Hugh V to rule them as Count of Maine. They soon realized, however, he was incapable of ruling Maine and began to detest him. Orderic Vitalis said of him "he was, indeed, an imbecile, a coward, and an idler, and totally unfit to hold the reins of government in so high a station."[3] After a short time holding the countship, his cousin Elias convinced Hugh to sell him the county, which he did.[4]

Family

In 1077 Hugh married Gersent, mistress of Geoffroy de Mayenne[1] She was a daughter of Robert Guiscard, but after discovering he could not manage her either he repudiated her, was promptly excommunicated by Pope Urban and died childless.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Detlev Schwennicke, Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten, Neue Folge, Band III Teilband 4 (Verlag von J. A. Stargardt, Marburg, Germany, 1989), Tafel 692
  2. ↑ Ordericus Vitalis, The Ecclesiastical History of England and Normandy,Trans. Thomas Forester, Volume II (Henry G. Bohn, London, 1854), pp. 481-2
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ordericus Vitalis, The Ecclesiastical History of England and Normandy,Trans. Thomas Forester, Volume II (Henry G. Bohn, London, 1854), p 482
  4. ↑ Ordericus Vitalis, The Ecclesiastical History of England and Normandy,Trans. Thomas Forester, Volume II (Henry G. Bohn, London, 1854), p 483

Notes