Hugh IV, Count of Maine
Hugh IV, Count of Maine
Hugh IV, Count of Maine | |
---|---|
Born | (unknown) |
Died | (1051-03-25)25 March 1051 |
Noble family | Hugonide Carolingian |
Spouse(s) | Bertha of Blois |
Father | Herbert I, Count of Maine |
Hugh IV (died 25 March 1051) was Count of Maine from 1036 to 1051.
Hugh IV, Count of Maine | |
---|---|
Born | (unknown) |
Died | (1051-03-25)25 March 1051 |
Noble family | Hugonide Carolingian |
Spouse(s) | Bertha of Blois |
Father | Herbert I, Count of Maine |
Life
The Bishop of Le Mans, Gervais de Château-du-Loir, was a partisan of the opposing Blois family.[3] The bishop and regent clashed, with the outcome being the expulsion of Herbert by means of a popular council.[4] Gervais then proclaimed Hugh to have reached his majority, and arranged a marriage for him, with Berthe de Blois.[5]
Herbert, unlike his predecessors, followed the advice of his bishop.[5] Gervais, unlike his uncle who he succeeded, Avesgaud de Bellême (who was an adherent of the Counts of Anjou) was allied to the Counts of Blois.[6] Hugh, no doubt in support of his bishop, engaged in a number of wars with Geoffrey Martel, Count of Anjou, in the Loir valley.[4] Shortly after Hugh's death, 25 March 1051,[2] Gervais sought refuge in Normandy after being driven out of Maine.[5] Gervais' success in strengthening the Bishopric of Le Mans served to downgrade the countship of Maine, which led to the county being absorbed into the domains of Anjou and Normandy.[4]