Hildegarde of Auvergne

Hildegarde was the daughter of Louis I, who was Emperor of the West and son of Emperor Charlemagne.
She is my 31 x great-grandmother.

A photo of the Cathedral at Chartres

The battle of Chartres

At the end of the 10th century, Frankish nobility faced a constant Viking threat. Here I explain the importance of the battle of Chartres and its connection to my family

Louis I, Emperor of the West

Louis was the Emperor of the West following the Wars of Carolingian Succession. The ‘West’ refers to the western segment of Charlemagne’s empire and maps to most of modern-day France.

The Battle of Fontenoy

My ancestor, Gerard d’Auvergne, died at the Battle of Fontenoy on 25 June 841. Historians describe this critical battle as one of the most traumatic experiences of the ninth century. The result of this war has influenced European affairs up till today.

A photo of Rouen Cathedral - Rouen, France

Rollo the Viking (Robert I of Normandy)

Robert, also known as Rollo or Rolf or Hrolf, was a Norwegian viking who ravaged the Loire valley. They called him “Hrolf the Walker” because he was so big no horse could carry him. So he walked everywhere.

A photo of the Abbey of Fontevraud

Philippa of Toulouse

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.

A photo of St James church - Valletta, Malta

Emmanuele Darmenia

Emmanuele Darmenia was a trader from Valletta, but it’s hard to say what he traded in. All the information I have is from official state records.

A photo of the Church of our Lady of Divine Grace - Sliema, Malta

Paolo Darmenia

Paolo Darmenia worked with the British Forces at their arsenal in Malta. Valletta-born, he lived in St Julians and Sliema.