William was the fourth count of Toulouse. Like many other French noblemen, he donated money and land to religious institutions.
He is my 24th great-grandfather.
Tag: 11th century
Otto was the son of the King of Italy, yet lived in France. Kidnapped and saved, he warred with the King of France, inherited other titles and made a nuisance of himself.
Philippa was a countess in her own right when she married William IX, Duke of Aquitaine. She married him because she wanted help getting Toulouse back from her cousin who should not have inherited it.
She is my 23rd great-grandmother.
William V, known as the Great, was a Duke of Aquitaine. He memorably refused the crown of a united Italy after realising the political situation on the peninsula was a mess.
William VIII was instrumental in one of the first military campaigns organised by the Pope against the Muslims in Spain. This was a precursor to the Crusades.