Surnamed: "The Pious"
Parents: Bernard II, count of Auvergne, and Ermengard
Date of Birth: 22 March 875
Royal House: Auvergne
Spouse: Engelberga, daughter of Boso, king of Lower Burgundy, and Ermengard
Predecessor: Ebalus
Reign: 893 – 918
Summary: A usurping ruler of Aqutaine who claimed the throne as regent for his relative, Ebalus Manzer. Ebalus was still young when he ascended the throne and his illegitimacy made it difficult for him to succeed. William was commissioned by Ebalus to protect him and assert his claims. In 902, William conquered Poitiers for Ebalus while he took Aqutaine for himself.
Through this acquisition, he was one of the most powerful lords in France and the greater Frankish Empire. In 910, he founded the abbey of Cluny, which would become a major political and religious center in Aquitaine. After its competition, he deeded it to the Benedictine Order under the control of the pope. This contrasted him with many other abbeys and monasteries which were privately owned with the appointments being linked to the local overlord. William, however, did have a say over the abbey's first abbot, Berno of Baume. William claimed power from the Roman Emperor during his reign, minting coins in his own name and circulating them throughout Aquitaine. He died childless and was succeeded by his nephew, William II, who was the son of his sister Adelinda. After the death of William II and Acfred, his brother, Ebalus regained the throne of Aquitaine. The lands remained in his family's lands thereafter.
Date of Death: 6 July 918
Successor: William II
Other Monarchs Who Died Today:
Date of Birth: 22 March 875
Royal House: Auvergne
Spouse: Engelberga, daughter of Boso, king of Lower Burgundy, and Ermengard
Predecessor: Ebalus
Reign: 893 – 918
Summary: A usurping ruler of Aqutaine who claimed the throne as regent for his relative, Ebalus Manzer. Ebalus was still young when he ascended the throne and his illegitimacy made it difficult for him to succeed. William was commissioned by Ebalus to protect him and assert his claims. In 902, William conquered Poitiers for Ebalus while he took Aqutaine for himself.
Through this acquisition, he was one of the most powerful lords in France and the greater Frankish Empire. In 910, he founded the abbey of Cluny, which would become a major political and religious center in Aquitaine. After its competition, he deeded it to the Benedictine Order under the control of the pope. This contrasted him with many other abbeys and monasteries which were privately owned with the appointments being linked to the local overlord. William, however, did have a say over the abbey's first abbot, Berno of Baume. William claimed power from the Roman Emperor during his reign, minting coins in his own name and circulating them throughout Aquitaine. He died childless and was succeeded by his nephew, William II, who was the son of his sister Adelinda. After the death of William II and Acfred, his brother, Ebalus regained the throne of Aquitaine. The lands remained in his family's lands thereafter.
Date of Death: 6 July 918
Successor: William II
Other Monarchs Who Died Today:
- Berengar II, king of Italy (966)
- Henry II, king of England (1189)
- Eudes III, duke of Burgundy (1218)
- Alexander II, king of Scotland (1249)
- Edward IV, king of England (1553)
- Peter III, tsar of Russia (1762)
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