Rudolf, Count of Hesbaye

Rudolf (d. after 24 January 966), Count of Hesbaye and Count of the Maasgau, son of Reginar II, Count of Hainaut. Note that Rudolf’s grandfather Reginar I and his father Gilbert were identified as Counts of the Maasgau, but it is unclear whether Reginar II was similarly titled.

Rudolf and his brother Reginar III took part in the rebellion of their uncle Gilbert, Duke of Lorraine, When Gilbert was killed in 939, Rudolf and Reginar pledged fealty to King Otto the Great. Flodoard reported that in 944, Rufolf and his father were allied with King Louis IV of France, and Hugh the Great, Duke of the Franks requested that Herman I, Duke of Swabia, lay siege to their castle and quell the rebellion.

In 953, Reginar III was defeated by King Lothair and Archbishop Bruno and banished to Bavaria. About that same time, Rudolf’s successor as Count of Hesbaye, Werner, is referred to as count in a charter confirmed by Bruno. It is likely that Bruno replaced Rudolf as count with Werner around 953. In 966, Rudolf’s property was confiscated and turned over to Werner.

Any wives or children that Rudolf might have had are not recorded.

Sources

Bachrach, Bernard S. and Fanning, Steven (Editors), The Annals of Flodard of Reims, 919-966, University of Toronto Press, Toronto, 2004

Medieval Lands Project, Comtes de Hesbaie