Manasses II "l'Ancien" de Châlon et de Vergy, Comte de Dijon

Is Manasses I "l'Ancien" (The Old) de Châlon et de Vergy, Comte de Châlon the same as Manasses II Comte de Dijon? Charles Cawley in his Medieval Lands dabase (FMG) seems to believe so, since there is no listing this early for Counts of Chalons or Seigneurs of Vergy. Cawley wrote:

COMTES de CHALON
The earliest record of the county of Chalon identified in the primary sources so far consulted is the appointment of Ekkehard (of the Carolingian family of Nibelung/Childebrand) as comte de Chalon in 863. He was also appointed comte d'Autun and comte de Mâcon in 873, which suggests that he played an important role in the whole of the future duchy of Burgundy. It is assumed that he continued to hold these counties until his death in [876/77], although it is not clear who succeeded him. The dispute over control of Burgundy involving the future Boson King [of Provence] must have started shortly after Ekkehard died. King Boson's brother Richard was installed as comte d'Autun and comte d'Auxerre, and it is possible that he also assumed control over Chalon and Mâcon.
The next recorded comte de Chalon is Lambert, son of Robert Vicomte de Dijon, who was probably invested with the county some time in the 950s. No record has yet been found to indicate who appointed him as count. As mentioned below, it is likely that Lambert was related to the family of the early comtes de Mâcon but the precise relationship is not known. His descendants continued to govern the county until the death of Comte Hugues in 1039, when Chalon was inherited by the deceased count's nephew Thibaut de Semur.

In a discussion about the identity of the wife of Letaud de Macon, who is named as Ermengarde, "daughter of Comte MANASSES & his wife Ermengarde --- (-before [941])," Cawley notes that "'Albericus comes' donated property to Saint-Vincent de Mâcon by charter dated to [936/41] subscribed by 'Letaudi, Ermentrudis coniugis sue'[1188]. She is named as wife of Letaud in the latter's charter dated [12 Apr] 935, which also names both his and her parents[1189]."

Cawley concludes: "It is possible that she was Ermengarde, daughter of Manassès Comte de Dijon & his wife Ermengarde, who are the only contemporary noble couple with these names which has so far been identified in the region."

For this reason, I will conflate these two identities of Manassès and note him as Comte de Dijon. This will also change his parentage to Manassès I rather than Theodoric de Chalons.

--Pam Wilson, 6 October 2010

http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/BURGUNDIAN%20NOBILITY.htm

Comtes de Dijon

MANASSES [I], son of --- (-[after 912]). The Chronicle of St Bénigne de Dijon records an undated charter of "Manasses comes" witnessed by "Walo filius eius et Manasses comes iunior"[703]. Although undated, it appears among other charters of the early years of the 10th century. If this is the correct dating, it is unlikely that it refers to Manassès (died after 925) as his sons would at the time have probably been too young to have confirmed charters. In addition, if the donation did refer to Manassès (died after 925) it is unclear why Walo and Manassès would have confirmed but not their brothers Hervé and Giselbert. The conclusion is therefore that the donation relates to the father of Manassès, who has otherwise not been identified. This interpretation appears supported by the Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines which in 906 names "comes Manasses Divionensi", specifying that "Walo et alterius Manasses comes iunior" were his sons[704], although it is recognised that this source is not always chronologically and factually reliable. Comte de Dijon. A charter dated 912 names "venerabili comite domno Manasse" as present at a judgment in an ecclesiastical court at Dijon by Garnier Bishop of Langres[705]. The word "venerabili" suggests that this document may refer to Manassès [I] rather than his son Manassès [II], although this is not without doubt.

m ---. The name of the wife of Manassès is not known.

Manassès & his wife had three children:

1. WALO (-[after 918]). Bishop of Autun. "Walo…Eduorum episcopus" recovered "villam Tilionacum in comitatu Oscarensi super fluvium Sagonnam" from "fratris nostri Manasse" by charter dated 918[706]. The Vita Sanctii Viventii Presbyteri names "Manasses…fratrisque sui Walonis Æduorum urbis Pontificis"[707]. The Series abbatum Flaviniacensium records that "Richardus dux et Ingelbertus" installed "Vualonem, fratrem Manasserii comitis qui gener erat B fratris Richardi ducis" as abbot of Flavigny[708]. The Series abbatum Flaviniacensium records that Walo became "pontifices Eduenses" and his death in 913[709], although this date of death is inconsistent with the source cited above.

2. MANASSES [II] (-925 or after). Comte de Dijon. The Vita Sanctii Viventii Presbyteri records that "Manasses" built "monasterium in territorio Augustudunensi in loco montis Vergiaci castri" with the advice of "suæ uxoris Hermengardis fratrisque sui Walonis Æduorum urbis pontificis"[710]. The Chronicle of St Bénigne de Dijon records a donation dated 925 confirmed by "Manasse comite"[711].

m ERMENGARDE, daughter of --- (-after Jun 924). "Heriveus…Eduorum episcopus" donated property "villam Tilionacum" to the canons of St Nazaire by charter dated 31 Oct 920 which names "genitricis nostræ domnæ Hirmingardis comitissæ et fratrum nostrorum…[et] Walo presul et noster avunculus", signed by "Hirmingardis comitissa, Walonis filii eius, Gisleberti filii eius alterius, Manassæ filii eius"[712]. The Vita Sanctii Viventii Presbyteri names "Manasses…suæ uxoris Hermengardis"[713]. "Warulfus…virum nobilem…filio equivoco eius Warulfo" petitioned "Ermengardis comitisse…seu filii eius Gisleberti comitis" for some donated property of Saint-Marcel-lès-Chalon by charter dated Jun 924[714]. A possible origin of Ermengarde is suggested by one version of the Series abbatum Flaviniacensium, as reproduced only in a 17th century secondary source, which records that "Richardus dux et Ingelbertus" installed "Vualonem, fratrem Manasserii comitis qui gener erat B fratris Richardi ducis" as abbot of Flavigny[715]. If this is correct, she was Ermengarde, daughter of Boso King of Provence & [his second wife Ermengardis of Italy]. Manassès & his wife had [five] children:

a) WALO (-after 924). "Hirmingardis comitissa…Walonis filii eius, Gilleberti filii eius alterius" subscribed the testament of "Heriveus…Æduorum episcopus" dated 1 Nov 919 which names "genitricis nostræ domnæ Hirmingardis venerabilis comitissæ et fratrum nostrorum…domnus Walo pius Præsul et noster avunculus"[716]. Flodoard records that in 924 "Raginardus" captured "castellum…Mons sancti Iohannis" supported by "nepotum suorum, Walonis et Gisleberti", but that "Rodulfi rex" recaptured the castle later in the same year[717].

b) HERVE (-after 31 Oct 920). Bishop of Autun. The testament of "Heriveus…Æduorum episcopus" dated 1 Nov 919 names "genitricis nostræ domnæ Hirmingardis venerabilis comitissæ et fratrum nostrorum…domnus Walo pius Præsul et noster avunculus", subscribed by "Hirmingardis comitissa…Walonis filii eius, Gilleberti filii eius alterius"[718]. "Heriveus…Eduorum episcopus" donated property "villam Tilionacum" to the canons of St Nazaire by charter dated 31 Oct 920 which names "genitricis nostræ domnæ Hirmingardis comitissæ et fratrum nostrorum…[et] Walo presul et noster avunculus", signed by "Hirmingardis comitissa, Walonis filii eius, Gisleberti filii eius alterius, Manassæ filii eius"[719].

c) GISELBERT (-Paris after Easter 956). The parentage of Giselbert is confirmed by a combination of documents. "Hirmingardis comitissa…Walonis filii eius, Gilleberti filii eius alterius" subscribed the testament of "Heriveus…Æduorum episcopus" dated 1 Nov 919, which names "genitricis nostræ domnæ Hirmingardis venerabilis comitissæ et fratrum nostrorum…domnus Walo pius Præsul et noster avunculus"[720]. Flodoard records that in 924 "Raginardus" captured "castellum…Mons sancti Iohannis" supported by "nepotum suorum, Walonis et Gisleberti", but that "Rodulfi rex" recaptured the castle later in the same year[721]. The Vita Sanctii Viventii Presbyteri names "Manasses…filius Gislebertus eiusdem Burgundiæ Dux"[722]. Comte d´Autun: "Gislebertus…comes Heduensis" granted property to "suo fidele Guitbaldus…nec non eius coniuge Rutrudis" by charter dated 11 Dec 934, signed by "Gisleberti comitis, Ermengardi, Adaledis filiam eorum…"[723]. He became GISELBERT Duke of Burgundy, after his brothers-in-law Raoul and Hugues "le Noir" ceded him their rights to Burgundy in [936].

- DUKES of BURGUNDY.

d) MANASSES (-after 31 Oct 920). "Hirmingardis comitissa, Walonis filii eius, Gisleberti filii eius alterius, Manassæ filii eius" subscribed the charter dated 31 Oct 920 under which "Heriveus…Eduorum episcopus" donated property "villam Tilionacum" to the canons of St Nazaire which names "genitricis nostræ domnæ Hirmingardis comitissæ et fratrum nostrorum…[et] Walo presul et noster avunculus"[724].

e) [ERMENGARDE (-before [941]). She is named as wife of Letaud in the latter's charter dated [12 Apr] 935, which also names both his and her parents[725]. Manassès Comte de Dijon & his wife Ermengarde are the only contemporary noble couple with these names which has so far been identified in the region, but it is not certain that they were the parents of Ermengarde wife of Letaud. m (before [12 Apr] 935) as his first wife, LETAUD Comte de Mâcon, son of AUBRY [I] Comte de Mâcon & his wife Tolana de Mâcon (915-3 Nov 961).]

3. RAGENARD (-after 924). "Ragenardus Autissiod Vicecomes frater Manassis" obtained approval of Charles III "le Simple" King of the West Franks for the election of Gerannus as Bishop of Auxerre in 909[726]. Flodoard records that in 924 "Raginardus" captured "castellum…Mons sancti Iohannis" supported by "nepotum suorum, Walonis et Gisleberti", but that "Rodulfi rex" recaptured the castle later in the same year[727].

Occupation: Count of Chalon