Gerulf I of Frisia

Gerulf I, also Gerulf the Elder ( † after 856) was a count in Central Friesland and ancestor of the Dutch Graf house.

Life

The friezes Gerulf was the son of Count Dietrich. At the time of the Emperor Louis the Pious as its vassal, Count of Friesland and Vogt means of the Frisians, who lived between tiles and Weser. Already at the beginning of his reign of Louis the Pious had the subjugated by his father Friesen returned by an act of grace that which they had lost as a result of their attempts at insurrection. This measure made ​​the emperor popular with the Frisian population, but weakened the position of the Frisian count towards the population. Later Louis feeble policy caused the Normans over for another upset. In the year 826 he admitted part of the Frisian area, which the count had to protect means of Friesland, the Danish Harald Klak Pretenders. Harald received Rüstringen, on the left bank of the lower Weser, there to have a place of refuge from the hostile attacks of his relatives. This affected the sphere of influence of the Earl of Middle Friesland sensitive. Gerulf joined probably at this time the opposition to the emperor.

With a certificate of the emperor, which was issued on 8 July 839 in Kreuznach, there is evidence that it had arrived in Central Friesland to the uprising against the emperor. During the disputes Emperor Louis and his sons, Count Gerulf was probably heavily involved in the rebellious movement against Louis, jdenfalls he had lost his fiefs and his own goods had been confiscated. He received on 8 July 839, ie after the end of May took place in Worms complete reconciliation between the Emperor Louis and his son Lothar, his own goods back. Gerulf probably stood on Tommy's side. In the deed, the Gerulf returned goods in and around Leeuwarden, as well as goods in Westrichgau, so mentioned in the district between tiles and Lonbach.

Probably Gerulf has been linked to the founders Corvey by any family connection. It is believed that Gerulf a daughter of Wala, abbot of Corbie and Corvey was married.

Progeny

Gerulf had the following children:

• Count Gerulf of Kennemerland († 896 )
• Count Gerhard
• Gunthar of Cologne ( † 873 ), Archbishop of Cologne
• Mother of the bishop of Utrecht Radbod († 917)