William X, Duke of Aquitaine (b. 1099)

William X of Aquitaine: A Duke of Contradictions and Legacy

William X, often referred to as "the Saint" (Occitan: Guillém X), was a significant figure in 12th-century European politics, holding the prestigious titles of Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, and Count of Poitou (where he was known as William VIII). His rule spanned from 1126 until his death on April 9, 1137. Born in 1099, he was the son of the famed troubadour Duke William IX of Aquitaine and his second wife, Philippa of Toulouse. William X's reign, though relatively brief, was marked by both political and ecclesiastical struggles, military campaigns, and a profound personal legacy, most notably as the father of one of history's most powerful women, Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Early Life and Troubled Beginnings

William's birth in Toulouse in 1099 occurred during a unique period when his parents briefly held control over the city, a strategically vital stronghold in southern France. The event was duly recorded in the contemporary Chronicle of Saint-Maixent, noting simply: "Willelmo comiti natus est filius, equivoce Guillelmus vocatus" ("a son was born to Count William, named William like himself"). However, the stability of his parents' rule and marriage soon crumbled. Later that same year, Duke William IX, known for his unconventional behavior, mortgaged Toulouse to Philippa's cousin, Bertrand of Toulouse, and embarked on a crusade, leaving his wife and infant son in Poitiers.

Upon William IX's return from his ultimately unsuccessful crusade, he engaged in a notorious affair with Dangerose, the wife of a vassal, effectively setting aside his legitimate wife, Philippa. This scandalous arrangement caused considerable strain, not just within the ducal court, but also personally between father and son. This familial tension persisted until 1121 when a strategic marriage was arranged: William X married Aenor de Châtellerault. Interestingly, Aenor was the daughter of Dangerose by her first husband, Aimery, a complex family dynamic that brought a degree of reconciliation and stability back to the ducal house.

Family and Succession

William X and Aenor de Châtellerault had three children, whose lives would dramatically impact European history:

• Eleanor of Aquitaine: The eldest, she would famously become the heiress to the vast Duchy of Aquitaine. Her subsequent marriages to King Louis VII of France and then King Henry II of England made her one of the most powerful and influential women of the Middle Ages, shaping the political landscape of both France and England for decades.
• Petronilla of Aquitaine: Her marriage to Raoul I of Vermandois, a powerful French count, would itself become a source of controversy and further illustrate the intricate web of feudal alliances and rivalries.
• William Aigret: The only son, his premature death at the tender age of four in 1130 was a tragic blow, occurring around the same time as the passing of their mother, Aenor de Châtellerault. This left Eleanor as the sole and undisputed heiress to one of the richest and most extensive territories in France.

Beyond his legitimate offspring, William X possibly had a natural son named William. For many years, it was also mistakenly believed that he had another natural son, Joscelin. This attribution has been definitively disproven by modern scholarship. The error stemmed from a misreading of the Pipe Rolls pertaining to the reign of King Henry II of England. The phrase "brother of the queen" was incorrectly assumed to refer to Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, William X's daughter. However, the queen in question was actually Adeliza of Louvain, whose brother was Joscelin, demonstrating the meticulous work required to untangle medieval genealogies.

Reign: A Blend of Culture and Conflict

As Duke, William X was a ruler of diverse interests, embodying the spirit of Aquitaine as both a patron of the arts and a formidable warrior. The region was a vibrant center for troubadour culture, an environment William X is thought to have fostered. However, his reign was far from peaceful, marked by both external and internal conflicts.

Internationally, he engaged in hostilities with Normandy. In 1136, he allied with Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou, to raid the duchy, which Geoffrey claimed in his wife Matilda's name and, by extension, for the French crown. This alliance highlighted the shifting power dynamics and territorial ambitions among the great feudal lords of France.

Within his own borders, William faced significant challenges from powerful and rebellious vassals, including an alliance of the Lusignans and the Parthenays. These were influential families in Poitou with a history of asserting their independence. William X dealt with this internal threat decisively, suppressing the rebellion with what historical accounts describe as the "total destruction" of his enemies, a stark demonstration of his authority and military prowess.

A significant episode during his rule involved the protracted papal schism of 1130. Initially, William X lent his support to Antipope Anacletus II, placing him at odds with Pope Innocent II and, notably, against the wishes of his own bishops. This choice reflected the complex political and religious allegiances of the time, where loyalty to a pope could be heavily influenced by secular power struggles. However, in 1134, the highly influential Cistercian abbot Saint Bernard of Clairvaux personally intervened. Through his compelling rhetoric and moral authority, Bernard successfully convinced William to withdraw his support for Anacletus and declare his allegiance to Pope Innocent II, a crucial shift that had implications across Christendom.

Final Journey and Lasting Legacy

In 1137, adhering to a common practice among medieval rulers and out of deep personal piety, William X embarked on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, a journey to one of the most important Christian shrines. Tragically, he died during this arduous trip. On his deathbed, recognizing the immense political implications of his passing, he expressed his dying wish: he entrusted the guardianship of his fifteen-year-old daughter, Eleanor, and the vast Duchy of Aquitaine, to King Louis VI of France. He also requested that Louis arrange a suitable marriage for his heiress.

King Louis VI, keen to capitalize on this extraordinary opportunity to expand the influence and territory of the French crown, readily accepted this solemn charge. Demonstrating remarkable foresight and political acumen, he promptly arranged the marriage of the immensely wealthy and powerful heiress of Aquitaine to his own son, the future Louis VII. This strategic union dramatically altered the balance of power in France and set the stage for centuries of Anglo-French rivalry, all stemming from William X's final, pivotal decision.

Frequently Asked Questions about William X of Aquitaine

Who was William X of Aquitaine?

William X (1099–1137) was the Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, and Count of Poitou (as William VIII) from 1126 until his death. He was the son of William IX and Philippa of Toulouse, and is perhaps most famous as the father of Eleanor of Aquitaine.

What was William X's relationship with his father, William IX?

Initially, their relationship was strained due to William IX's controversial affair with Dangerose, which led him to set aside William X's mother, Philippa. This tension was partially resolved when William X married Aenor de Châtellerault, who was Dangerose's daughter by her first husband, creating a complex family connection.

How was Eleanor of Aquitaine related to William X?

Eleanor of Aquitaine was William X's eldest legitimate daughter. Following the early death of her only brother, William Aigret, she became the sole heiress to the vast and wealthy Duchy of Aquitaine, a position that made her one of the most coveted brides in medieval Europe.

What major political and religious challenges did William X face during his reign?

Politically, he contended with internal rebellions from powerful vassals like the Lusignans and Parthenays, whom he suppressed decisively. Externally, he engaged in military campaigns against Normandy in alliance with Geoffrey V of Anjou. Religiously, he initially supported Antipope Anacletus II during the papal schism of 1130, against the wishes of his own bishops, before being persuaded by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux to switch his allegiance to Pope Innocent II.

How did William X die and what was the immediate consequence?

William X died in 1137 during a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. On his deathbed, he entrusted his fifteen-year-old daughter, Eleanor, and her duchy, to King Louis VI of France, requesting that Louis find her a suitable husband. Louis VI seized this opportunity, marrying Eleanor to his own son, the future Louis VII, thus significantly increasing the power and territory of the French monarchy.