Renaud I, Count of Soissons

Renaud I (985-1057), son of Nocher II, Count of Bar-sur-Aube and Soissons, and his wife Adelise, Countess of Soissons. Count of Soissons. The Acta Sanctorum commentary of the life of Saint Simon de Valois (based on a manuscript of the abbey of Saint-Claude), identifies both Renaud and his father. Renaud was Grand Master of the Hotel de France.

Renaud died in the siege of the tower of Soissons, presumably the Soissons Cathedral, in 1057. It is unclear as to the circumstances of this siege.

Renaud married the widow (name unknown) of Hilduin III, Count of Montdidier. They had two children:

• Guy II, Count of Soissons
• Adelaide, Countess of Soissons.

It is not clear when Renaud’s son Guy became Count of Soisson, but it was apparently some time before 1057, when they both died in the siege of Soissons. Upon their death, Renaud’s daughter Adelaide became the Countess of Soissons.

Because of his marriage, Renaud was related to the House of Montdidier, the Counts of Brienne, the Counts of Perche, the Kings of Aragon, and the Counts of Chiny.

Sources

Dormay, C., Histoire de la ville de Soissons et de ses rois, ducs, comtes et gouverneurs, Soissons, 1664 (available on Google Books)

Acta Santorum (available online)