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Bernard Roger De FoixCount of Foix and Couseran from about 1011
Date of Birth: 01.01.0981
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Content:
- Bernard Roger, Count of Foix and Couserans
- Count of Foix
- Reign and Legacy
- Succession and Division of Lands
- Marriage and Children
- Children:
- - Heraclius (died after 1065), Bishop of Tarbes (Bigorre) from 1037
- Disputed Daughter
Bernard Roger, Count of Foix and Couserans
Early Life and FamilyBernard Roger was born around the year 1000 as the second son of Roger I the Old, Count of Carcassonne, and Adele, likely the daughter of Bernard II, Count of Melgueil. He was the progenitor of the counts of Foix.
Count of Foix
While listed as the first Count of Foix, it is unclear if Bernard Roger ever held the title. In an act of donation to the Abbey of Saint-Hilaire in 1011, he is referred to as a count, but it is unknown if this pertains to Foix or Couserans, which he also held. The first verifiable evidence of the title "Count of Foix" appears during the reign of his son, Roger I.
Reign and Legacy
Bernard Roger's reign is poorly documented. He married Garsinde, heiress of the County of Bigorre, which was attached to Foix for a period. His residence was the Castle of Foix, where he erected a square tower symbolizing his authority. He also contributed to the foundation of the town of Foix at the foot of the castle.
Succession and Division of Lands
According to Bernard Roger's will, his domains were divided among his three eldest sons. The first, Bernard II, received Bigorre; the second, Roger I, received Foix; and the third, Pierre Bernard, received Couserans. His youngest son, Heraclius, entered the clergy and later became Bishop of Bigorre.
Marriage and Children
Wife (by 1010): Garsinde (c. 986–1032/1034), Countess of Bigorre from 1025/1032, daughter of Garcia Arnauld, Count of Bigorre
Children:
- Bernard II (died before 1070), Count of Bigorre from 1036/1038- Roger I (died c. 1064), Count of Foix from 1036/1038
- Pierre Bernard (died 1071), Count of Couserans from 1036/1038, Count of Foix from c. 1064
- Heraclius (died after 1065), Bishop of Tarbes (Bigorre) from 1037
- Ermenzinde (Gilberga) (c. 1015–December 1, 1049); married Ramiro I Sanchez (c. 1008–May 8, 1063), King of Aragon from 1035, on August 22, 1036
- (?) Stephanie de Foix (Etiennete) (died after 1066); 1st husband: unknown (died before 1038); married Garcia III (V) Sanchez (c. 1020–September 15, 1054), King of Navarre from 1035, in 1038
Disputed Daughter
Some genealogies have attributed an additional daughter, Clemence, to Bernard Roger. However, no contemporary documentation supports her existence, and the theory claiming her marriage to Adalbert of Alsace, Count of Metz and Duke of Upper Lorraine, has been rejected.
