Giselbert II, Count of Duras
Count Giselbert of Loon or Duras, was the deputy advocate of Saint Trudo’s Abbey. He was son of Count Otto, the younger brother of Count Emmo of Loon. Giselbert was the first person to be named in contemporary documents as a count of Duras.
Giselbert was involved in several conflicts which involved the abbey, as mentioned in several parts in the Abbey's Gesta or chronicle.
Apart from the Gesta, much of what we know about Giselbert is from the charters that he witnessed, which also gives insight as to his relationship with the Counts of Namur, a family into which he eventually married. Emperor Henry IV confirmed donations made by Henry I, Count of Durbuy, son of Albert II, Count of Namur, to the Church of Saint James in Liège, as witnessed by Giselbert. The emperor also confirmed the claim of Albert’s family to Saint Begga's Collegiate Church in Andenne.
Giselbert married twice. His first wife was Gertrud, of unknown parentage. His second wife was Oda, daughter of Otto II, Count of Chiny, and his wife Alix, daughter of Albert III, Count of Namur. Giselbert and Gertrud had eight children:
- Otto II, Count of Duras
- Conan of Duras
- Giselbert of Duras
- Gerard, Abbot of Saint Trudo’s
- Thierry, Archdeacon of Liège
- Bruno, Canon at Liège, Saint Lambert
- Daughter, name unknown, mother of Alexander II, Bishop of Liège
- Daughter, name unknown, mother of Arnulf van Kortessem.
Primary sources
- Gestorum Abbatem Trudonensium Continuatio Tertia: Koepker MGH SS Vol.10 ; =de Borman Vol.2 ; =Lavigne 228-229.
Category:History of Belgian Limburg
Category:Counts of the Holy Roman Empire