Gerberga, Countess of Provence

Gerberga (1045/65–1115), also spelled Gerberge or Gerburge, was the Countess of Provence for more than a decade, until 1112. Provence is a region located in the southeastern part of modern-day France that did not become part of France until 1481 (well after Gerberga's time).

Countess Gerberga was a descendant of Geoffrey I of Provence (who was jointly Count of Provence with his brothers) and his wife Etiennette.^[1] However, Gerberga did not succeed him immediately, but rather became Countess decades after his death, during which time other relatives filled that position. It is unclear exactly when she became countess; sources indicate it was no earlier than 1093 and no later than 1100.^[1][2]

She and her husband, Gilbert I of Gévaudan, were considered virtuous.^[3] He participated in the Crusades, donating many relics from the Middle East to churches in Provence.^[4] Gilbert later died in 1108. Gerberga then took control of the government, and is said to have ruled wisely.^[5] In 1112, her eldest daughter Douce was married to Raymond Berengar III of Barcelona at which point Provence was ceded to him.^[2] Her second daughter, Stephanie, would lay claim to the county and thus precipitate the Baussenque Wars in 1144.

References

1. 1 2 Medieval Lands Project: Provence., Foundation for Medieval Genealogy (Accessed August 15, 2013).
2. 1 2 The new Werner twentieth century edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, Volume 19, p. 903 (The Werner Company, 1907).
3. ↑ Fouque, Claude. Fastes de la Provence ancienne et moderne: Contenant l'histoire politique, civile, héroi'que et religieuse de ses principales villes, Volume 1 , p. 346 (Barile et Boulouch, 1838).
4. ↑ Cook, Theodore. Old Provence, p. 205 (Interlink Books, 1905).
5. ↑ Clement, Francois. L' Art De Vérifier Les Dates Des Faits Historiques, Des Chartes, Des Chroniques, Et Autres Anciens Monumens, Depuis La Naissance De Notre-Seigneur, p. 436 (Jombert, 1784).