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 daughter of Geoffrey I of Provence 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.

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

References[]

Sources[]

• Cheyette, Fredric L. (1999). "Women, Poets, and Politics in Occitania". In Evergates, Theodore (ed.). Aristocratic Women in Medieval France. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 138-.
• de Manteyer, Georges (1908). La Provence du premier au douzième siècle (in French). Volume 2. Librairie Alphonse Picard et Fils. |volume= has extra text (help)