Notes |
- Gisela (Gisèle) was the daughter of Louis the Pious and his second wife, Judith of Bavaria, born about 820. She was named after her great-aunt Gisela, the sister of Charlemagne, who chose a religious life from girlhood. Like her ancestress Gisela was renowned for her piety and virtue and eventually became an Abbess.
About 835 Gisela married Eberhard, Duke of Friuli, later canonized as Saint Eberhard. Gisela was Louis the Pious' reward to Count Eberhard for his loyal service. Eberhard and Gisela were likeminded and well suited to each other.
Together they had 9 children:
-Eberhard (c. 837 – 840)
-Ingeltrude (837 or 840 – 870), possibly married Henry, Margrave of the Franks
-Unruoch III (c. 840 – 874)
-Bèrenger (c. 845 – 924), King of Italy
-Adélard (d. 874)
-Rudolf (d. 892)
-Heilwise (b. 860)
-Gisèle (d. 863)
-Judith of Friuli (died ca. 881), first married Arnulf I of Bavaria, second married Conrad II of Auxerre
As dowry Gisela was given many rich domains including the Royal Fisc of Cysoing; located at the center of the country of Pèvele, Cysoing was one of the most beautiful fiscs in the region and became one of her and Eberhard's regular residences. They founded a monastery there, which was not completed until after their deaths.
The nunnery San Salvatore was given to her after Ermengarde, wife of Lothair I. For a time she served as both abbess and rectrix.
She dedicated herself to the education of her and Eberhard's many children.
Gisela's husband Eberhard died 16 December, 867. She survived him, her date of death is not known.
“Royal Ancestry: A Study in Colonial & Medieval Families,” Douglas Richardson (2013):
“GISELA, born 819-822. She married about 836 EBERHARD (or EVRARD), Margrave of Friuli, before 836? - 864/865, son of Hunroch (or Unroch), Count of Teinois, by Angiltrud, daughter, perhaps, of Begue, Count of Paris. They had five sons, Eberhard, Hunroch (or Unroch) [Margrave of Friuli], Berengario (or Bérenger) (I) [Duke of Friuli, King of Italy, Emperor], Adalard, and Raoul (or Rodolfe) [Abbot of Saint-Vaast and Saint-Bertin], and four daughters, Engeltrude, Heilwig (or Hélvide) (wife of Hucbald, Count of Ostrevant, and Roger I, Count of Laon), Gisela (nun in Brescia), and Judith (wife of Heinrich, Margrave in Frisia). He received the marquessate of Friuli from Lothair I, and held it with his wife in addition to his possessions in Italy and in Germany, his large holdings bordering the river Meuse, Hesbaye, Condroz, Texandrie and the pagus Moilla, and also other lands in the vicinity of Arras and Tournai, in Ostrevant, Cysoing and elsewhere. His wealth and political influence made him one of the most important men of his time. He was said to be highly cultured, and his testament enumerated many religious works. He maintained friendships with Hraban Maur, archbishop of Mayence, Hincmar, archbishop of Rheims, and with other men of letters. He founded Cysoing Abbey in the diocese of Noyon, and he transported to the abbey the relics of St. Calixtus, which he obtained from the pope. He made his testament about 863-864, and died [?16 Dec.] 865-866, and was buried at Cysoing. In 869 his widow, Gisela, gave Somain in Ostrevant to her son, Adalard. In 870 she and her son, Raoul, confirmed and augmented donations to Cysoing towards her burial and that of her daughter, Engeltrude. Gisela was living 1 July 874, when she made another grant to Cysoing.
Études d'Histoire de Moyen Age dediées el Gabrielle Monod (1896): 155-162. Brandenburg Die Nachkommen Karls des Großen (1935) III 14, IV 24-32 and also p. 86, notes concerning Nov. 28 and 30). Decker-Hauff (1955): 293. Schwennicke Europäische Stammtafeln 2 (1984): 188A (sub Italy). Winter Descs. of Charlemagne (800-1400) (1987): III.14, IV.32-38c. Settipani & von Kerrebrouck La Préhistoire des Capetians (1993).”
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