Rozala of Italy

Rozala of Italy (also known as Rozala of Lombardy, Rozala of Ivrea or Susanna of Ivrea; c.950–960 1003) was, by her successive marriages, countess of Flanders and queen of the Franks. She was regent of Flanders in 987-988 during the minority of her son.

Rozala of Italy
Countess consort of Flanders
Tenure968–987
Queen consort of France
Tenure996
Bornc.950–960
Died1003
Ghent
SpouseArnulf II of Flanders
Robert II of France
IssueBaldwin IV of Flanders
Mathilda
HouseIvrea
FatherBerengar II of Italy
MotherWilla of Tuscany

Biography

Rozala (Susanna), born sometime between 950 and 960, was the daughter of King Berengar of Ivrea, King of Italy (c. 900 – 966).[1] Her mother was Willa of Tuscany, the daughter of Boso, Margrave of Tuscany and his wife Willa.[2] In 976 she married Arnulf II, Count of Flanders (d. 987).[3] On her husband's death, she acted as regent for her young son.

On c.1 April 988 she married secondly the much younger Robert the Pious (972–1031), the Rex Filius of France; the marriage had been arranged by his father Hugh Capet.[4][3] According to disputed account she brought her husband Montreuil[3] and Ponthieu as a dowry, others assert that she was bequeathed her right to that territory. Upon her marriage, she took the name of Susannah, and was the queen consort of the co-ruling king Robert, under senior King Hugh. From 991/992 the couple lived basically separated as Rozala had become too old[3] (c. 38) to have more children and they lacked marital happiness.

When her father-in-law died in 996, however, Robert repudiated her completely, desiring to marry Bertha of Burgundy in her place.[5] That marriage was not lawful because of too close kinship so Robert married a third time 1003 with Constance of Arles who bore him seven children.

Rozala retired back to Flanders, where she died and was buried. Robert retained control of her "dowry",[3] or the rights to the mentioned territory.

Marriages

Rozala was firstly (976–987) married to Arnulf II, Count of Flanders.[6] They had the following children:

The second marriage (988–996) with Robert II of France did not produce any children.[3]

Notes

  1. Detlev Schwennicke, Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten, Neue Folge, Band II (Marburg, Germany: J. A. Stargardt, 1984), Tafel 5
  2. Detlev Schwennicke, Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten, Neue Folge, Band II (Marburg, Germany: J. A. Stargardt, 1984), Tafel 59
  3. Vasiliev 1951, p. 233-234.
  4. Poppe 1976, p. 232.
  5. Detlev Schwennicke, Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten, Neue Folge, Band II (Marburg, Germany: J. A. Stargardt, 1984), Tafel 11
  6. Nicholas 1992, p. 44.

References

  • Nicholas, David (1992). Medieval Flanders. Longman.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Poppe, Andrzej (1976). "The Political Background to the Baptism of Rus': Byzantine-Russian Relations between 986-89". Dumbarton Oaks Papers. 30: 195. doi:10.2307/1291395. JSTOR 1291395.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Vasiliev, Aleksandr Aleksandrovich (1951). "Hugh Capet of France and Byzantium". Dumbarton Oaks Papers. 6: 227. doi:10.2307/1291087. JSTOR 1291087.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
Vacant
Title last held by
Adelaide of Aquitaine
Queen consort of the Franks
996
Succeeded by
Bertha of Burgundy
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