Gerard Ier of Lorraine

See also: Gerard of Lorraine

Gerard of Alsace , born towards 1030, dead the August 11th 1070 with Remiremont, was lord of Châtenois, then duke of Lorraine of 1048 with 1070. The texts of the time indicate it under the name of Gerard of Alsace (place of origin of its family), Gerard de Chatenoy (of the name of a castle that it had near Neufchâteau) or Gerard of Flanders (because his wife, Hedwige de Namur, are also named Hedwige of Flanders)

It is wire of Gerard de Bouzonville, count de Metz, and of Gisele, his wife. This Gisele is sometimes given like girl of the duke Thierry Ier of Lorraine, but nothing makes it possible to affirm it.

Adalbert of Alsace, his/her brother, was invests Duché of Lorraine in 1047 by the emperor Henri III, which had just confiscated the duchy with Godefroy II. This one was not acknowledged not overcome and killed Adalbert. Henri III then gave the duchy to Gerard of Alsace.

Godefroy continued the fight, helped by Lorraine lords who worried about the territorial power of the new duke, and made captive Gerard quickly. But Gerard was supported by Brunon (a former bishop of Toul elected Pape under the name of Leon IX), which travels from there to Lorraine, obtained the release of Gerard in 1049. Moreover the emperor the soutin and provides him troops which enabled him to overcome its adversaries. But the Lorraine nobility on several occasions continued to create disorders against the duke, supported by the clergy.

All its reign was marked by fidelity with the emperors Henri III, then Henri IV, and by a regular collaboration with the Church. He was acknowledged abbeys of Moyenmoutier, Saint-Mihiel and Remiremont

He made build the Château of Prény, as well as a small city in central position of the duchy on a place named Nancy. This city will develop and become the capital of the duchy.

He had married Hedwige de Namur, girl of Albert II, count de Namur, and of Régilinde de Verdun. This marriage brought it closer to the Lorraine nobility (see the ascent of his/her son). They had as children:

Thierry II (v. 1055 † 1115), duke of Lorraine
Gerard (1057 † 1108), count de Vaudémont
Beatrice, married to Etienne I {{er}}, count de Bourgogne, of Mâcon and of Vienna
Gisele, abbess of Remiremont

He died in Remiremont whereas he apprétait himself with subduing a revolt of noble Lorraine, and a poisoning is not to exclude. It was buried in the abbey of Remiremont.

Sources

Gerhard von Elsaß Herzog von Ober-Lothringen (1048-1070)

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