Counts of Carcassonne
Encyclopedia
The County of Carcassonne was medieval fiefdom controlling the city of Carcassonne
and its environs. It was often united with the County of Razès
.
The origins of Carcassonne as a county probably go back to the Visigothic period in Septimania
, but the first count known by name is Bello
of the time of Charlemagne
. Bello founded a dynasty, the Bellonids, which would rule many honores in Septimania and Catalonia
for the centuries.
Bello was a loyal Carolingian
follower and his successor in the county were Carolingian appointees down to about the time of Oliba II, at which point the counties in the outlying regions were beginning to become hereditary possessions in the hands of locally well-endowed families. After Oliba, who ruled both Carcassonne and Razès, his patrimony was ruled jointly by his sons and grandsons. On the death of Acfred II
in 933
, Carcassonne passed to a woman and, by marriage, to the Counts of Comminges.
The Counts of Comminges continued the practice, extensive in the Midi, of associating brothers, sons, grandsons, and nephews in the government. In 1068, however, Carcassonne was divided between the three daughters of Peter II. In 1069, they sold their comital rights to Raymond Berengar I of Barcelona. The county of Carcassonne was subsumed within Barcelona thereafter, though a viscounty was created in 1082 by Raymond Berengar II.
Cité de Carcassonne
The Cité de Carcassonne is a medieval fortified architectural group located in the French city of Carcassonne, in the department of Aude, in the region of Languedoc-Roussillon. It is located on the right bank of the Aude, on the hill, in the south-east part of the actual city. It was the historic...
and its environs. It was often united with the County of Razès
County of Razès
The County of Razès was a feudal jurisdiction in Occitania, south to Carcassonne, in what is now southern France. It was founded in 781, after the creation of the Kingdom of Aquitania, when Septimania was separated from that state.-History:...
.
The origins of Carcassonne as a county probably go back to the Visigothic period in Septimania
Septimania
Septimania was the western region of the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis that passed under the control of the Visigoths in 462, when Septimania was ceded to their king, Theodoric II. Under the Visigoths it was known as simply Gallia or Narbonensis. It corresponded roughly with the modern...
, but the first count known by name is Bello
Bello of Carcassonne
Bello was Count of Carcassonne from 790 until his death. He was the founder of the Bellonid Dynasty of Carcassonne and Razes which reached its apex in Wilfred the Hairy, progenitor of the House of Barcelona....
of the time of Charlemagne
Charlemagne
Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans from 800 to his death in 814. He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. During his reign, he conquered Italy and was crowned by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800...
. Bello founded a dynasty, the Bellonids, which would rule many honores in Septimania and Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
for the centuries.
Bello was a loyal Carolingian
Carolingian
The Carolingian dynasty was a Frankish noble family with origins in the Arnulfing and Pippinid clans of the 7th century AD. The name "Carolingian", Medieval Latin karolingi, an altered form of an unattested Old High German *karling, kerling The Carolingian dynasty (known variously as the...
follower and his successor in the county were Carolingian appointees down to about the time of Oliba II, at which point the counties in the outlying regions were beginning to become hereditary possessions in the hands of locally well-endowed families. After Oliba, who ruled both Carcassonne and Razès, his patrimony was ruled jointly by his sons and grandsons. On the death of Acfred II
Acfred II of Carcassonne
Acfred II was the co-governor of the County of Carcassonne and Razès from 906 to 908 and then count in his own right until his death. He was the younger son of Oliba II of Carcassonne and he cogoverned his inheritance with his elder brother Bencion...
in 933
933
Year 933 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.-Africa:* Failed attempt by the Fatimid dynasty to seize the Maghreb al-Aqsa from the local rulers allied to the Spain-based Umayyad Caliphate.- Europe :* Cotentin and Jersey are seized by William Longsword, Duke of Normandy.*...
, Carcassonne passed to a woman and, by marriage, to the Counts of Comminges.
The Counts of Comminges continued the practice, extensive in the Midi, of associating brothers, sons, grandsons, and nephews in the government. In 1068, however, Carcassonne was divided between the three daughters of Peter II. In 1069, they sold their comital rights to Raymond Berengar I of Barcelona. The county of Carcassonne was subsumed within Barcelona thereafter, though a viscounty was created in 1082 by Raymond Berengar II.
Counts of Carcassonne
- 790790Year 790 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 790 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Byzantine Empire :* A revolt against Empress Irene...
– 810810Year 810 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Byzantine Empire :* October 1 – A man with a sword makes an attempt on emperor Nicephorus I's life...
BelloBello of CarcassonneBello was Count of Carcassonne from 790 until his death. He was the founder of the Bellonid Dynasty of Carcassonne and Razes which reached its apex in Wilfred the Hairy, progenitor of the House of Barcelona.... - 810810Year 810 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Byzantine Empire :* October 1 – A man with a sword makes an attempt on emperor Nicephorus I's life...
– 821821Year 821 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Tang Mu Zong becomes emperor of China.* First recorded session of the Parliament of Croatia- Byzantine Empire :...
GuisclafredGuisclafred of CarcassonneGuisclafred was the Count of Carcassonne from 810. He was the eldest son and successor of Bello of Carcassonne. His brothers were Sunyer I of Ampurias, Sunifred I of Barcelona, and Oliba I of Carcassonne.... - 821821Year 821 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Tang Mu Zong becomes emperor of China.* First recorded session of the Parliament of Croatia- Byzantine Empire :...
– 837837Year 837 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Pietro Tradonico is elected Doge of Venice.* Uen succeeds Drest IV as king of the Picts....
Oliba IOliba I of CarcassonneOliba I of Carcassonne was a count of Carcassonne in the 9th century.He was the son of Bello of Carcassonne, and brother of Sunifred I of Barcelona... - 837837Year 837 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Pietro Tradonico is elected Doge of Venice.* Uen succeeds Drest IV as king of the Picts....
– 844844Year 844 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Rhodri Mawr becomes king of Gwynedd....
Bernard, also count of Barcelona - 844844Year 844 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Rhodri Mawr becomes king of Gwynedd....
– 845845Year 845 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* March 28 – Paris is sacked by Viking raiders, probably under Ragnar Lodbrok, who collect a huge ransom in exchange for leaving.* The Vikings also sack Hamburg and Melun.* November 22 – Count of Vannes,...
Argila - 845845Year 845 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* March 28 – Paris is sacked by Viking raiders, probably under Ragnar Lodbrok, who collect a huge ransom in exchange for leaving.* The Vikings also sack Hamburg and Melun.* November 22 – Count of Vannes,...
– 850850Year 850 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Emperor Montoku succeeds Emperor Nimmyō as Emperor of Japan.- Europe :...
Bera II, also count of Razès - 850850Year 850 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Emperor Montoku succeeds Emperor Nimmyō as Emperor of Japan.- Europe :...
Miro Eutil - 850850Year 850 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Emperor Montoku succeeds Emperor Nimmyō as Emperor of Japan.- Europe :...
– 852852Year 852 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Saint Swithun becomes Bishop of Winchester, England....
Freddon, also count of Toulouse - 852852Year 852 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Saint Swithun becomes Bishop of Winchester, England....
– 863863Year 863 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Constantine I succeeds as king of Scotland ....
Raymond IRaymond I of ToulouseRaymond I was the Count of Limoges , Rouergue and Quercy , and Toulouse and Albi . He was the younger son of Fulcoald of Rouergue and Senegund, niece of William of Gellone through his sister Alda....
, also count of Toulouse - 863863Year 863 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Constantine I succeeds as king of Scotland ....
– 864864Year 864 was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* July 25 – Edict of Pistres: Charles the Bald orders defensive measures against the Vikings....
Humphrey, also count of Barcelona - 865865Year 865 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Ethelred succeeds as king of Wessex .* Louis the German divides his kingdom among his sons....
– 872872Year 872 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Battle of Hafrsfjord: Harald Fairhair becomes the first king of Norway....
Oliba II - 872872Year 872 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Battle of Hafrsfjord: Harald Fairhair becomes the first king of Norway....
Bernard, also count of Toulouse - 872872Year 872 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Battle of Hafrsfjord: Harald Fairhair becomes the first king of Norway....
– 877877Year 877 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The Danes take Exeter, England.* A flotilla of 120 Danish ships is lost in a storm off Swanage....
Oliba II, second time - 877877Year 877 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The Danes take Exeter, England.* A flotilla of 120 Danish ships is lost in a storm off Swanage....
– 906906Year 906 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Battle of Fritzlar: The Conradines defeat the Babenberg counts to establish themselves as dukes of Franconia. Conrad the Elder is killed in the battle...
Acfred IAcfred I of CarcassonneAcfred I was the Count of Razès from 837 and Count of Carcassonne from 877.Acfred was the younger son of Oliba I of Carcassonne. He inherited Razès on his father's death, while his elder brother Oliba II inherited Carcassonne... - 906906Year 906 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Battle of Fritzlar: The Conradines defeat the Babenberg counts to establish themselves as dukes of Franconia. Conrad the Elder is killed in the battle...
– 908908Year 908 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* The Battle of Belach Mugna is fought.* Zhu Wen kills the last Tang Dynasty emperor.- Deaths :* Al-Muktafi, Abbasid caliph...
Bencion I - 908908Year 908 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* The Battle of Belach Mugna is fought.* Zhu Wen kills the last Tang Dynasty emperor.- Deaths :* Al-Muktafi, Abbasid caliph...
– 934934Year 934 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* The Ziyarid army occupies Ahvaz.* The Goryeo army defeats Hubaekje forces in present-day Hongseong County.- Europe :...
Acfred IIAcfred II of CarcassonneAcfred II was the co-governor of the County of Carcassonne and Razès from 906 to 908 and then count in his own right until his death. He was the younger son of Oliba II of Carcassonne and he cogoverned his inheritance with his elder brother Bencion... - 934934Year 934 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* The Ziyarid army occupies Ahvaz.* The Goryeo army defeats Hubaekje forces in present-day Hongseong County.- Europe :...
Arsenda - 934934Year 934 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* The Ziyarid army occupies Ahvaz.* The Goryeo army defeats Hubaekje forces in present-day Hongseong County.- Europe :...
– 957957Year 957 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* The Chandra Hindu Dynasty ends, thus beginning a time of chaos in areas belonging to modern-day India....
Arnold, also count of Comminges - 957957Year 957 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* The Chandra Hindu Dynasty ends, thus beginning a time of chaos in areas belonging to modern-day India....
– 1012 Roger I the OldRoger I of CarcassonneRoger I of Carcassonne , also known as Roger II of Cominges the Elder, was the count of Carcassonne, Couserans and Comminges.Associated to the government of Comminges in 957, he inherited the county of Couserans in 983 at the death of his father Aznar II. At around 1000 he inherited the county of...
- until 1010 Raymond II
- until 1010 Peter I
- 1012 – 1034 William I
- 1012 – 1034 Peter II
- 1034 – 1068 Raymond II
- 1034 – 1059 Peter II, second time
- from 1034 Peter III
- from 1034 Bernard II
- 1068 – 1069 Garsenda, Ermengarde, and Adelaide, daughters of Peter II
- Sold to County of Barcelona.
Viscounts of Carcassonne and Razès
The first viscountess was Ermengarde.- 1082 – 1101 Ermengarde
- 1101 – 1129 Bernard Ato IV Trencavel
- 1129 – 1150 Roger I TrencavelRoger I TrencavelRoger I Trencavel was the eldest son of Bernard Ato IV, Viscount of Albi, Agde, Béziers, Carcassonne, Nîmes, and Razès. On his father's death in 1130 he inherited Albi, Carcassonne, and Razès, while his younger brother Raymond inherited Agde and Béziers and his youngest brother Bernard Ato V...
- 1150 – 1167 Raymond I TrencavelRaymond I TrencavelRaymond I Trencavel was the Viscount of Agde and Béziers from 1130 and Viscount of Albi, Carcassonne, and Razès from 1150. He was a member of the Trencavel family, ruling the lands of the elder branch....
- 1167 – 1194 Roger II TrencavelRoger II TrencavelRoger II Trencavel was the Viscount of Carcassonne, Béziers, Razès, and Albi from 1167 or 1171 until his death. Until 1177 he used the title proconsul, usually as proconsul de Bitteris , but he abandoned the usage when he became a vassal of the Crown of Aragon...
- 1194 – 1209 Raymond Roger Trencavel
- 1209 – 1218 Simon IV de Montfort
- 1218 – 1224 Amaury VI de Montfort
- 1224 – 1226 Raymond II TrencavelRaymond II TrencavelRaymond II Trencavel was the last ruler of the branch of the Trencavel viscounts of Béziers...
- Annexed to Crown of FranceKingdom of FranceThe Kingdom of France was one of the most powerful states to exist in Europe during the second millennium.It originated from the Western portion of the Frankish empire, and consolidated significant power and influence over the next thousand years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, developed a...
between 1226 and 1240 and from 1247 permanently.