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Birth:          ABT  984 Le Mans, Sarthe, France
Death:          13 Apr 1036 

Notes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_I,_Count_of_Maine
Herbert I (died 13 April 1035), called Wakedog (from French Eveille-chien, Latinized 
as Evigilans Canis), was the count of Maine from 1017 until his death. He had a 
turbulent career with an early victory that may have contributed to his later decline.
Life[edit]

He was the son of Hugh III and succeeded his father as count of Maine.[a][1] Herbert 
was, at times, a nominal vassal of his neighbor Fulk III Nerra, Count of Anjou but 
otherwise considered himself independent[2] and obtained his nickname "Wake-dog" 
for having to constantly resist the intrusions of his Angevin neighbors to the south.[3] 
From the time Herbert became count in 1017, he was almost constantly at war with 
Avesgaud de Bellême, Bishop of Le Mans.[4]

In 1016, a young Herbert was allied to Fulk III in a war against Odo II of Blois.[5] On 
July 6 Odo was en route to attack the fortress of Montrichard. Upon discovering this, 
Fulk and Herbert split their forces to block either of the two approaches.[5] Odo ran 
headlong into the Angevin force under Fulk, known as the Battle of Pontlevoy.[6] 
Odo’s greater force was prevailing and Fulk himself was thrown from his horse and in 
danger of being killed or captured, but a messenger had been sent to Herbert to come 
immediately.[7] Herbert attacked the left flank of Odo’s forces throwing them into 
complete confusion; Odo’s mounted force fled leaving his foot soldiers to be 
slaughtered.[7] Odo was completely defeated[5] and was unable to challenge Fulk 
again for nearly a decade.[7] While this battle established Herbert’s reputation as a 
warrior it also began deteriorating the relationship between Fulk and Herbert.[8]

His battles with Avesgaud, Bishop of Le Mans were heating up again and in 1025 
Herbert made a night raid on the Bishop’s castle at Duneau causing Avesgaud to flee 
to the protection of his brother William Lord of Belleme.[9] Once he was safe the 
Bishop excommunicated Herbert and then continued his warring against with him.[9] 
Not long after the excommunication was lifted and peace was restored between them 
when Herbert started raiding the Bishop’s estates again.[9] This time Herbert, with the 
help of Count Alan III of Rennes, attacked the Bishop at his castle at Le Ferte and 
reduced this castle as well.[10]

On 7 March 1025, Fulk Nerra lured Herbert to Saintes on the promise of giving him 
Saintes as a benefice.[11] Herbert was captured and imprisoned for two years until a 
coalition forced his release.[11] During his captivity Fulk had taken over the 
government of Maine and before returning Herbert to his countship, he seized the 
southwestern territories of Maine including several fortresses, attaching them to 
Anjou.[12] It was only after suffering complete humiliation that Herbert was allowed to 
go free.[13]

Due in part to his wars with Bishop Avesguadus (an ally of Fulk Nerra) and in part with 
his imprisonment, the county of Maine declined under Herbert I.[14] He built the castle 
of Sablé but by 1015 he had for some reason allowed it to become an independent 
lordship under the viscounts of Maine.[14] Likewise Chateau-du-Loir built in the early 
eleventh century also quickly came under control of independent castellans.[14]

While plain coins with only Latin motto Gratia dei rex had been minted under comital 
authority throughout the tenth century at Le Mans, at some time between 1020 and 
1030 coins were struck with the monogram of Count Herbert and the motto signum Dei 
vivi and continued with this design through the twelfth century.[15] The coins at le 
Mans were of such weight and fine quality they were among the most widely accepted 
in western France.[15] Herbert died on 13 April 1035.[16]
Issue[edit]

Herbert left four children:
Hugh IV, successor, married Bertha of Blois, daughter of Herbert's opponent Odo II of 
Blois.[1]
Gersenda, married firstly Theobald III of Blois (son of Herbert's opponent Odo II of 
Blois); divorced in 1048 and married secondly Albert Azzo II, Margrave of Milan.[1] Her 
son by the latter would regain Maine from Norman control in 1069, as count Hugh V
Paula (Paule or Paulæ)[b] wife of Jean de la Fleche, their son Elias would succeed his 
first cousin Hugh V as Count of Maine.[1][17]
Biota, married Walter III of the Vexin,[1] and Walter briefly held Maine after the death 
of her nephew, Herbert II, son of Hugh IV, before both Walter and Biota died of 
possible poisoning and William the Conqueror seized the county.[18]
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jweber&id=I06213

Parents
____ Hugh III (Hugh I) (ABT  960 - 1015)
----- ----- ()

Siblings
____ Herbert I ("Eveillechien") (ABT  984 - 13 Apr 1036)

Marriage To ----- ----- ()
    m.  

Notes


Children by ----- ----- 
DU MAINE Paula (ABT 1004 - )
OF MAINE Gersinde (ABT 1019 - BEF 1096)

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