GODEFROI, son of Comte GOZELON & his wife Uda [Matfriede] (-3 Sep [998 or after], bur Gent St Peter). "Uda…comitissa" donated property "in pago Rizzigowi cui Egylolfus comes" to St Maximin at Trier "pro remedio…seniorique mei Gozlini necnon filiorum meorum Henrici…et Reginheri, Godefridi quoque et Adalberonis" by charter dated 18 May 963 witnessed by "Sigefrido comite, Richwino comite"[1207]. "Otto…Romanorum imperator augustus" confirmed the rights of "monasterio super fluvium Mose" founded by "Gotefridi comitis nostrique fidelis…et coniux sua pro anime sui fratris Alberonis" by charter dated 6 Apr 997[1208]. Graf von Bidgau: "Bovo cum coniuge mea Engila" donated property "ex hereditate paterna…in villa Dundeva in comitatu Bedense cui Godefridus comes preesse dinoscitur" to St Maximin at Trier by charter dated 1 Nov 959[1209]. He was installed as Comte de Verdun before [960]: "Rodulfus filius quondam…comitis Rodulfi et eius…coniugis Evæ" donated property "res…meæ…in pago et in comitatu Virdunensi…Geldulfi villa" for the souls of "senioris mei Wigfridi episcopi et parentis mei Ottonis, Gisleberti quondam comitis fratris" to Verdun Saint-Vanne by charter dated to [960], subscribed by "Gotdefridi comitis et fratris eius Heinrici"[1210]. "Godefridi comitis, Ingelberti advocati, Arnulfi junioris marchysi…" signed the charter dated 11 Apr 969 under which "Theodericus comes" donated "sui iuris possessionem…Frilingim in pago Flandrensi" to Saint-Pierre de Gand[1211]. Comte de Hainaut 973. "Godefridus comes et uxor sua Mathildis" donated "regium fiscum Holinium…in pago Tornacensi…et…Ramelgeis ecclesia…" to Saint-Pierre de Gand by charter dated [21 Jan] 974, signed by "Arnulfi…junioris marchysi, Herimanni comitis filiis Godefridi comitis, Wiggeri, Ingelberti advocati…"[1212]. "Godefridus…comes et uxor mea Mathildis" donated "Holinum…in pago Tornacensi…" to Saint-Pierre de Gand by charter dated 21 Jan 979, signed by "…Hermanni comitis filii Godefridi comitis…Ingelberti advocati…"[1213]. Marquis d'Eenham. The Gesta Episcoporum Cameracensium records that "comites Godefridus…[et] Arnulfus" defended Cambrai against Lothaire King of the West Franks, during the absence of Emperor Otto II in Poland, dated to 979, and against Eudes de Vermandois who had constructed Vinchy castle near the city[1214]. The Epistolæ Bambergenses name "Gottefredus et Arnulfus marchiones" among those who sent contingents for the Italian expedition of 980[1215], which likely refer to Godefroi Comte de Verdun et de Hainaut (who was marquis d'Eenham) and Arnoul de Cambrai (marquis de Valenciennes). Richer records that "Belgicæ dux Theodericus, necnon et vir nobilis ac strenuus Godefridus, Sigefridus quoque vir illustris, Bardo etiam et Gozilo fratres clarissimi et nominatissimi" captured Verdun in 985[1216]. He helped defend Verdun against Lothaire King of the West Franks in [984/85], but was captured together with Siegfried Comte de Luxembourg[1217]. Otto III King of Germany confirmed rights of Gant Saint-Pierre abbey in property "in pago Haginao villam Dulciacum [et]…in pago Bracbanto villam Wandeleni…quam Eilbodo…tradidit…", at the request of "Godefridi et Arnulfi comitem", by charter dated 20 May 988[1218]. Richer records that "Godefridus comes cum duobus filiis suis, atque Ragenerus Remensium vice-dominus" were among the lay representatives at the council of Mouzon in 995[1219]. The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines records that "comes Raginerus" captured "Montem castri" from "comiti Godefrido" in 998[1220] which, if the text refers to this Godefroi, suggests a later date of death (assuming the dating of Alberic is accurate). The necrology of Verdun Saint-Vanne records the death "III Non Sep" of "Godefridus comes pater ducis Gozelonis qui nobis Borrarum dedit"[1221].
m ([963]%29 as her second husband, MECHTILD of Saxony, widow of BALDWIN III joint Count of Flanders, daughter of HERMANN Billung Duke in Saxony & his [first/second] wife [Oda ---/Hildesuit ---] ([942]-Ghent 25 May 1008, bur Ghent St Peter). The Annalista Saxo names (in order) "Bennonis ducis, qui et Bernhardus et Liudigeri comitis et Machtildis comitisse" as brothers and sister of "domna Suanehildis [filia] Herimanni ducis de Liuniburh", recording the names of Mechtild's two husbands[1222]. The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines names "Mathildis comitissa Saxonie" as wife of "Godefridi Ardennensis"[1223]. Sigebert names "dux Godefridus…Eihamensis" and states that he married "Mathildem, filiam Herimanni ducis Saxonum, viduam relictam Baldewini comitis"[1224]. "Godefridus comes et uxor sua Mathildis" donated "regium fiscum Holinium…in pago Tornacensi…et…Ramelgeis ecclesia…" to Saint-Pierre de Gand by charter dated [21 Jan] 974[1225]. "Heinricus…Romanorum imperator augustus" confirmed the rights and property of Kloster Mouzon donated by (among others) "dux Fredericus pro anima Ottonis…[et] Godefridus comes et coniux sua Mathildis pro anima sui fratris Adalberonis archiepiscopi" by charter dated 1023[1226]. The necrology of Liège Saint-Lambert records the death "VIII Kal Jun" of "Mathildis comitisse"[1227]. The necrology of Verdun Saint-Vanne records the death "VIII Kal Jun" of "domna Matildis comitissa"[1228].
Comte Godefroi & his wife had [eleven] children:
1. ADALBERO (-in Italy 18 Apr 988, bur Verdun Cathedral). "Adalberonem…episcopum, Fredericum et Herimannum comites, Godefridum atque Gozelonem" are named (in order) as the five sons of "comiti Godefrido" and "Mathildis Saxoniæ comitissa" in the Gesta Episcoporum Virdunensium[1229]. He was appointed Bishop of Verdun in 984 by his uncle Adalbero Bishop of Reims, which triggered the latter's dispute with Lothaire King of the West Franks as the appointment was made without the king's permission[1230]. The Annales Sancti Vitoni Virdunensis record the death in 986 of “Wicfridus episcopus Virdunensis” and the succession of “Adelbero”[1231]. "Adalbero, filius comitis Godefridi" is named in the Gesta Episcoporum Virdunensium, when recording his appointment as Bishop of Verdun[1232]. The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines names (in order) "episcopum Virdunensem Alberonem, comitem Fridericum…comitem de Daburc Hermannum…et duos duces Godefridum et Gothelonem" as sons of "Godefridi Ardennensis" and his wife Mechtild, recording in an earlier passage the election of "alter Adalbero, filius comitis Godefridi" as Bishop of Verdun in 984[1233]. The earlier paragraph also records the appointment at the same time of "Adalbero filius Friderici ducis" as Bishop of Metz, making it clear that the two were different persons, disproving the assertion in Poull[1234]. The necrology of Verdun Cathedral records the death "XIV Kal Mai" of "Adelbero episcopus virdun. ecclesie"[1235]. Adalbero died in Italy, his body being brought back by his brother "comite Frederico" and buried in Verdun Cathedral[1236].
2. FREDERIC (-Verdun 6 Jan 1022, bur Monastery St Guy). "Adalberonem…episcopum, Fredericum et Herimannum comites, Godefridum atque Gozelonem" are named (in order) as the five sons of "comiti Godefrido" and "Mathildis Saxoniæ comitissa" in the Gesta Episcoporum Virdunensium, which specifies that Frederic became a monk and made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem[1237]. The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines names (in order) "episcopum Virdunensem Alberonem, comitem Fridericum…comitem de Daburc Hermannum…et duos duces Godefridum et Gothelonem" as sons of "Godefridi Ardennensis" and his wife Mechtild, specifying that Frederic was "Sancti Vitonii monachum"[1238]. "Comite Frederico" is named as brother of Adalbero Bishop of Verdun in the Gesta Episcoporum Virdunensium, when recording that he repatriated Adalbero's body from Italy[1239]. He succeeded his father as Comte de Verdun. It is uncertain how long Frederic remained as count in Verdun as the charter dated 17 Aug 1156 of Emperor Friedrich I "Barbarossa" indicates that the county of Verdun was transferred to the bishop of Verdun during the reign of Emperor Otto III[1240]. However, a charter dated 1020, under which Heimo Bishop of Verdun confirmed an exchange of property, names "domni Frederici…comes nostre civitatis"[1241], which suggests that Frederic continued as count at least in part of the county. The charter dated [1020] of Abbot Richard demonstrates that Frederic must have resigned the county soon after, as it refers to "temporis dominus Fredericus qui comes Virdunensis civitatis fuerat" adding that he became a monk at Saint-Vanne[1242]. Frederic was also Comte de Castres, as shown by the charter dated 5 May 1005 under which Heinrich II King of Germany granted market rights at "Doncheria…in comitatu…Frederici comitis…Castricensis" to Saint-Médard de Soissons[1243]. The necrology of St Vaast records the death in 1022 of "Fridericus avunculus Balduini Barbati comitis Flandriæ, ortus ex Godefrido Barbato comite Arduennæ, Virduni, Bullonii et Mathilde comitissæ Saxoniæ", noting that he was "præpositus Sancti Vedasti" from 1001 until his death, and his burial "monasterium Sancti Widoni"[1244].
3. HERMAN [Hezelo] (-28 May 1029, bur Verdun Saint-Vanne). "Adalberonem…episcopum, Fredericum et Herimannum comites, Godefridum atque Gozelonem" are named (in order) as the five sons of "comiti Godefrido" and "Mathildis Saxoniæ comitissa" in the Gesta Episcoporum Virdunensium[1245]. The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines names (in order) "episcopum Virdunensem Alberonem, comitem Fridericum…comitem de Daburc Hermannum…et duos duces Godefridum et Gothelonem" as sons of "Godefridi Ardennensis" and his wife Mechtild[1246]. "Arnulfi…junioris marchysi, Herimanni comitis filiis Godefridi comitis…" signed the charter dated [21 Jan] 974 under which "Godefridus comes et uxor sua Mathildis" donated "regium fiscum Holinium…in pago Tornacensi…et…Ramelgeis ecclesia…" to Saint-Pierre de Gand[1247]. "Godefridus…comes et uxor mea Mathildis" donated "Holinum…in pago Tornacensi…" to Saint-Pierre de Gand by charter dated 21 Jan 979, signed by "…Hermanni comitis filii Godefridi comitis…Ingelberti advocati…"[1248]. Comte d'Eename. Sigebert names "Godefridum, Gozcelonem, Hezcelonem" as the three sons of "dux Godefridus…Eihamensis" & his wife, stating that "Hezcelo comes" inherited "castrum Eiham cum provincia Brabantensi" after his father's death[1249]. "Heinricus…Romanorum imperator augustus" confirmed the properties of the convent of St Vanne at Verdun, among which that donated by "Florihing mansum…dono Gerardi comitis…[et] Geldulfi villam…dono Rodulfi filii Rodulfi comitis…[et] comes Gotdefridus…et Herimannus comes in comitatu Bracbantinse…Haslud…et…Feilsecum…[et] frater eius dux Godefridus…Beurunes… comes…Liutardus…in pago Waprensi in comitatu de Custrei…Bailodium", and donated "Mosomum" on the petition of "Herimanni comitis" by charter dated 1015[1250]. Graf in Eifelgau und in Westfalen 1017. The necrology of Liège Saint-Lambert records the death "V Kal Jun" of "Herimanni comitis"[1251]. The necrology of Verdun Saint-Vanne records the death "V Kal Apr" of "Herimannus comes qui nobis dedit…apud domnum Basolum"[1252]. m [firstly] MATHILDE, daughter of ---. The Chronicon Hugonis names "Gregorium et Godefridum" as the two sons of "Herimannus qui et Hezelo & Mathildem"[1253]. [m secondly GODA, daughter of ---. The necrology of Verdun Saint-Vanne records the death "XV Kal Jun" of "domna Goda que dedit nobis ecclesiam de Felsira"[1254]. No direct confirmation of this supposed second marriage of Herman has yet been found. However, the charter of Emperor Heinrich II, referred to above, confirms that the church of Velsique ("Feilsecum/Felsira") was donated to Verdun Saint-Vanne by Comte Herman. As the necrology confirms that Goda was also associated with the donation, it is likely that she was his wife at the time. As shown below, two of Comte Herman's infant children were buried in the same church, which suggests that they may have been born from this marriage. They are named by Sigebert who also names Mathilde as Herman's daughter, but does not name his three other children who are referred to in other sources. The date of Mathilde's marriage suggests that she was one of Herman's younger children. If this is correct, it is more likely that Goda was Herman's second wife if she was his wife at all.] Comte Herman & his [first] wife had three children:
4. GODEFROI (-26 Sep 1023, bur Verdun Saint-Vanne). "Adalberonem…episcopum, Fredericum et Herimannum comites, Godefridum atque Gozelonem" are named (in order) as the five sons of "comiti Godefrido" and "Mathildis Saxoniæ comitissa" in the Gesta Episcoporum Virdunensium, which specifies that Godefroi and Gozelon succeeded as dukes[1269]. The Genealogica ex Stirpe Sancti Arnulfi names "Arnulphum comitem Flandrensem, Godefridum ducem, Gozelonem ducem, fratres" as children of "Mathildis soror Guepe et Berthe [Burgundi%C3%A6]"[1270]. The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines records that the Emperor conferred "ducatus Lotharingie" on "comiti Godefrido Virdunensi, filio Godefridi Ardennensis" after the death of Otto Duke of Lower Lotharingia [Carolingian], an event which the chronicler records under 1005[1271]. He was installed in 1012 as GODEFROI I Duke of Lower Lotharingia by Emperor Heinrich II. "Heinricus…Romanorum imperator augustus" renewed the privileges of Kloster Fulda by undated charter, placed in the compilation with other charters dated 1020, witnessed by "Godifridi ducis, Berinhardi ducis, Thiederici ducis, Welphonis comitis, Cunonis comitis, Kunrati comitis, Ottonis comitis, Adilbrahtis comitis, Bobonis comitis, Friderici comitis, Bezilini comitis, Ezonis comitis palatini"[1272], the order of witnesses presumably giving some idea of the relative importance of these named nobles at the court of Emperor Heinrich II at the time. The Annales Blandinienses record the death in 1023 of "Godefridus dux"[1273]. The necrology of Verdun Saint-Vanne records the death "V Kal Oct" of "Godefridus dux frater Gocelonis ducis qui nobis in Beurunes xx mansos dedit"[1274]. The necrology of Liège Saint-Lambert records the death "VI Kal Oct" of "Godefridi pacifici ducis"[1275].
5. GOZELON ([968/73]-19 Apr 1044, bur Münsterbilsen). "Adalberonem…episcopum, Fredericum et Herimannum comites, Godefridum atque Gozelonem" are named (in order) as the five sons of "comiti Godefrido" and "Mathildis Saxoniæ comitissa" in the Gesta Episcoporum Virdunensium, which specifies that Godefroi and Gozelon succeeded as dukes[1276]. He is named, and his parentage given, in the Annalista Saxo[1277]. Count in the March of Antwerp. He succeeded his brother in 1023 as GOZELON I Duke of Lower Lotharingia. He succeeded in 1033 as GOZELON I Duke of Upper Lotharingia.
6. ADELA . The Vita Meinwerci records a donation (undated, but with other donations dated [1022]%29 of "comes…Godizo" with the consent of "coniugis suæ Addilæ ac sororis suæ heredis iustissimæ", witnessed by "Liudolfi, Udonis, Hiddonis, Acca comitum"[1278]. The primary source which confirms her parentage has not so far been identified. m GODIZO Graf von Aspelt und Heimbach, son of RICHIZO & his wife --- (-after [1022]).
7. IRMGARD (-1042). The Vita Popponis names "Ermengarde…principis Godefridi filia"[1279]. Thietmar records the excommunication of "nepos meus Oddo et uxor eius Irmirgerd, consanguinitate proxima iniuste diu coniuncti" in 1018, providing no details of the relationship between the two, and in a later passage records their separation[1280]. The validity of her marriage was challenged by the church on grounds of consanguinity, the dispute continuing for ten years before the marriage was finally accepted[1281]. "Heinricus…rex" granted property "in villis Harive, Vals, Apine, Falchenberch…in pago Livgowe et in comitatu Dietbaldi comitis" to "Irmingardæ nepti nostræ" by charter dated 5 Feb 1041, on the petition of "ducum Gozelonis filiique sui Gotefridi"[1282]. "Heinricus…rex" restituted property to Kloster Hersfeld "post obitum Hirmingarde comitissæ" which Emperor Konrad II had granted to Graf Otto, by charter dated 5 Jan 1043[1283]. m OTTO von Hammerstein Graf in der Wetterau und im Engersgau, son of HERIBERT, Pfalzgraf, Graf im Kinziggau [Konradiner] & his wife Imiza --- (-[5 Jun 1036]).
8. ERMENTRUDE (-7 Mar after 1010). The primary source which confirms her parentage and marriage has not yet been identified. Roland records the wife of Arnaud as “Ermentrude, fille de Godefroid le Captif et de Mathilde de Saxe” but he does not cite the corresponding primary source[1284]. He states also that “Arnoul seigneur de Florennes reçut en bénéfice du comte Herman son beau-frère l’abbaye d’Hautmont”, again without citing the corresponding primary source but Roland’s wording suggests that the document may indicate the family relationship between the two parties[1285]. m ARNAUD Seigneur de Florennes, son of Comte GODEFROI & his wife Alpaide --- (-22 Oct [1002/10]).
9. [REGINLIND (-1 Feb [1050]). The Vita Adalberonis Episcopi Wirziburgensis records that "comes Arnoldus…in Lambacensi loco" married "Regila nobili uxore ex Francia orientali oriunda"[1286]. According to Wegener, she was the daughter of Godefroi Comte de Verdun[1287]. He cites no primary source in support and it is difficult to see how Reginlind could have been described as "ex Francia orientali" if this parentage is correct. The hypothesis would certainly explain the transmission of the names Gottfried, Adalbero and Mechtild into the family of the Grafen von Wels und Lambach, but there must be other explanations for this. "Chuonradus…rex" granted property "inter villam Frumanaha et inter fluvios Danubium et Maraha in comitatu Adalberti marchionis" to "fideli nostro comiti Arnoldo eiusque uxori Reginlinde ac filiis utrorumque" by charter dated 11 May 1025[1288]. The necrology of Lambach records the death "Kal Feb" of "Regila marchionissa mater ep Adalberonis"[1289]. m ARNOLD [II] Graf von Wels und Lambach, son of ARNOLD [I] Graf in Rottagau & his wife --- (-1055). Markgraf in der Kärtner Mark 1035.]
10. [GERBERGE . According to Europäische Stammtafeln[1290], the wife of Folmar [IV] may have been the daughter of Godefroi Comte de Verdun and his wife Mechtild of Saxony [Billung] but the basis for this speculation is not known. m FOLMAR [IV] Graf von Metz Graf im Bliesgau, son of FOLMAR [III] Graf von Metz, Graf im Bliesgau & his wife Bertha --- (-1026 or after). 999/1026.
11. [--- . m ---.] One child: http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/LOTHARINGIAN%20(UPPER)%20NOBILITY.h...
