Charlemagne/Romans part 1
rcs
The _Carolingiae domus genealogia_
Note: this is not a translation of the above source, just
a summary of the relevant bits.
Chapter 1
There are two versions surviving among the 6 manuscripts: (a) & (b)
Both have Ansbert ex genere senatorum, marrying Bilitilde dau of
Flothar (sic). They had 3 sons: Arnoald, Ferreolus, Modericus,
and one daughter Tarsicia. Of these Ferreolus was the saintly
bp of Uzes, who was buried there, Modericus equally saintly
bp of Alais, and Tarsicia was a nun in Rodez. Arnoald was
father of Arnulf, who had two sons Chlodulf and Anchisus.
The descent is then outlined in the male line to Emperor
Lothar I.
(b) adds that Arnulf was also father of another son Walchisus who
was the father of Wandregisel. Chlodulf was father of Martin, who
(b) adds was killed by Ebroin at the palace of Ecry. The descent
is then outlined in the male line down to Lothar I but includes
all the sons of Louis the Pious, and both his wives.
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Chapter 2
This describes Ansbert's family. He had five bros: Deotar,Firmin,
Gamard-Babo, Agiulf, Raginfrid, and two sisters, Goda and Maria.
Both the girls were nuns. Firmin was the saintly Bp of Uzes. Deotar
was made Bp of Alais by his brother Agiulf who was Bp ofMetz.
Alais had been given to St.Stephen's of Metz by King
Sigebert I. Deotar was appointed by Agiulf, and his nephew
Moderic succeeded him. Raginfrid had two sons Mummolus _patricius_
and Hector. Gamard-Babo had three sons, Godinus,Goverigo-Abbo,
Ratbert, and two daus Doda and Dodalina. Godinus had a daughter
Sigolina.
Chapter 2 cont.
At this stage the author or perhaps a later copyist realises we
need a recap.
-recap on Ansbert's kids
-recap on Gamard's kids (a Desiderius appears here in place of
Goverigo-Abbo)
-recap on Godinus kids (but here he says he had a son Goverigo-Abbo
as well as the daughter, Sigolina)
Obviously some confusion.
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chapter 3
Perhaps as a result, we take a break from the genealogy and get
into some history: this takes us back to the origins of the
Franks; the coming of the Trojans to Sicambria, to Pannonia, to
the banks of the Rhine; then a reiteration of their descent from
the Merovingian kings, the mayors of the palace, the wars of
Pippin against Ebroin and the mayors of Neustria, their rise to
kings up to the death of Charlemagne.
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chapter 4
we return to genealogy: this explains the Pippinid side of the
ancestry. We go back to the court of Theodebert II ofAustrasia
(c.600). Carloman, father of Pippin (I) is mayor. Pippin(I) was
father of Grimoald (I), also mayor. He has two sisters,Begga
and the saintly Gertrude (of Nivelles). Begga married Ansigis,
son of Arnulf. Their son was Pippin (II) who married Plectrude.
Their son was Grimoald (II). Pippin's other son was Charles..
well I think you know the rest: from Pippin (III) the descent
is traced down both the German (East Francia) and French
(West Francia) branches, dying out in Germany in 911, and
followed down to Lothar (954-86: Louis V is not mentioned).
Comments (part 2) & Stemma (part 3) to come