Renaud (795–843) was Frankish Count of Herbauges,
Count of Nantes. His name is also spelled Rainaldus or Ragenold, and he is sometimes known as Reginald in English. He is referred to as Renaud of Aquitaine, but seems to have been a member of the
Rorgonid family of
Maine.
The County of Herbauges consisted of three pagi south of the Loire: Arballicus (Herbauges), Metallicus (the Mauges), and Teofalicus (Tiffauges) and was separate from the County of Poitou, of which Renaud also appears to have been Count. His appointment as Count is prior to July 835 when he appears in a battle against the Normans in Noirmoutier.[1]
Count of Nantes
After the death of Count
Battle of Fontenay (841), he was appointed by
Charles the Bald as Count of Nantes. This was at the expense of
Lambert II of Nantes, who had fought for Charles at Fontenay, and was considered the legitimate heir of his father, the former Count
Lambert I of Nantes. Disappointed in his ambitions, Lambert II broke with Charles the Bald and turned to
Nominoe, Duke of Brittany, who was then in almost open revolt against the Franks. Nominoe and Lambert intended to join forces to capture Nantes.
Invasion of Brittany
Having fortified Nantes, Renaud heard that Nominoe had been incapacitated by a serious illness. Renaud decided to take the initiative, by raiding into Breton territory. At the junction of the
Battle of Messac, Erispoe was initially defeated by Renaud.
[2] Shortly afterwards, however, the timely arrival of Lambert's troops allowed Erispoe to counter-attack in force, defeating Renaud. Renaud himself was killed the day afterwards, during the pursuit. The Bretons may also have been assisted by the Viking warlord
Håstein, who is said to have personally killed Renaud.
[1] However, other sources assert that Lambert killed Renaud and that the Viking force arrived shortly afterwards, looking for plunder.
Aftermath
The Vikings sacked Nantes and killed its bishop. Lambert occupied the town, but was unable to hold it..
References
- ^ a b André Chédeville & Hubert Guillotel, La Bretagne des saints et des rois Ve-Xe siècle, Ouest France, Université Rennes, (1984)
- ), p 55
Janet L. Nelson
, The Annals of St-Bertin, Manchester University Press, 1991, p.55
Titles of nobility
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Preceded by
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Count of Nantes 841–843
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Succeeded by
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