From KHF333@aol.com Fri Oct  3 08:03:59 1997
Date: Wed, 1 Oct 1997 13:35:20 -0400
From: Kenneth Harper Finton 
Reply-To: Medieval History 
To: Multiple recipients of list MEDIEV-L 
Subject: Re: William IX of Aquitaine

Unfortunately, no. Though William IX was among the most colorful characters in history, most of the historical interest passed to his son William. His (Wm X) other brother, Raymond, left quickly for Antioch. I assume Aimar left as quickly as possible and dropped out of historical record. Perhaps someone else knows better.

The life of William IX would make a great movie. His wife Philipa fell under the influence of Robert d'Arbrissel, a Breton reformer who preached about the superiority of women and became an early feminist. William IX, being a true Casanova, who wrote and sang songs about his romantic conquests, took his overly philosophical and religious wife as one might expect. Soon William entered into a relationship with Dangeruese, the provocative and aptly named wife of Viscount Aimery of Chatellerault. He brought her home and kept her. Given the similarity of the name of Aimar to the husband of Dangeruese, I would not be surprised if she were not the mother instead of Philipa, but this is not documented and is pure conjecture on my part. As I said, I feel that William's life would make a fine novel, as so many incidents in his life--let alone his dashing and womanizing character-- hammer on problems that still face and interest us today. A very interesting sketch of William IX can be found in THE PLANTAGENET CONNECTION, October 1995, Vol 3 #2, in "The Plantagenet Families" by Ron Collins.

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