A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Gerberge
GERBERGE,
Wife of Louis the Fourth, of France, was the daughter of Henry, who became King of Germany in 918. She married first Gislebert, Duke of Lorraine, who was drowned in the Rhine. In 940, Gerberge married Louis the Fourth. Five years after, her husband was taken prisoner by the Normans. Hugh the Great, Duke of the Franks, wished to obtain possession of him; but the Duke of Normandy consented to give him up only on condition that Louis' two sons should become hostages for their father. Hugh sent to demand them of Gerberge, but she refused, well knowing that the race of Charlemagne would be entirely destroyed, if the father and children were all prisoners. She only sent the youngest son with a bishop; so Louis not being set free, Gerberge sent to demand aid from her brother Otho, King of Germany. Louis was at length liberated by Otho's assistance, and he confided to Gerberge the defence of the town of Rheims, in which she shut herself up with her troops. In 964, Louise died, and Gerberge exerted herself effectually to have her eldest son, Lothaire, although scarcely twelve, placed on his father's throne. She, together with her brother, Bruno, Duke of Lorraine, were appointed regents. She marched, with her young son, at the head of an army, and beseiged Poictiers; and, in 960, she retook the city and fortress of Dijon, which had been treacherously given up to Robert of Treves, and had the traitor beheaded in the presence of the whole army.