{{short description|Merovingian noble (c.528–535 AD)}} {{Unreliable sources|date=December 2025}} {{Distinguish|Waldebert}} {{Infobox noble | | name = Walbert I, Count of the Ardennes | birth_name = Walbert I | title = {{plainlist| * Count of the Ardennes * Count of Hainaut }} | image = | issue = | noble family = | birth_date = | birth_place = Roman Gaul | death_date = {{c.}} 528–538 | death_place = Kingdom of Austrasia, Francia | father = Albéron | mother = Argotte of the Ostrogoths | spouse = Lucille of Pannonia | predecessor = Auberon | successor = Walbert II }} '''Walbert I''', '''Vaubert''', '''Waudbert''', or '''Vautier''' (died {{circa}} 528–535 AD) also known as '''Walbert of the Ardennes''' ({{langx|fr|'''Walbert I d'Ardennes'''}}) was a Frankish nobleman and a Merovingian Count of Hainaut.
==Biography== Walbert I was born in Roman Gaul during the 5th century. He was baptized around {{c.}} 500 AD by Saint Remigius.<ref>Gambier, A. (1789). Essai historique sur la rentrée des biens tant à l'église qu'à la nation, avec des réflexions sur la nature de ces biens. (n.p.): (n.p.).</ref>
The son of Auberon (also referred to as Albéron, Aldaric, or Alberic) and Argotte of the Ostrogoths, daughter of Theodoric the Great, King of the Ostrogoths, Walbert was one of five sons born to the lord of the Ardennes.<ref name="Neyen, A. (1860)"/> Walbert I was the grandson of Clodion, King of the Franks. <ref name="Le Carpentier, J (1668)">Le Carpentier, J. (1668). Histoire genealogique de la noblesse des Païs-Bas, ou Histoire de Cambray, et du Cambresis,: contenant ce qui s'y est passé sous les empereurs, & les rois de France & d'Espagne; enrichie des genealogies, eloges, & armes des comtes, ducs, evesques ... : le tout divisé en IV. parties. Netherlands: chez l'Autheur.</ref><ref name="Parochial History (1844)"/> He was the sole survivor of Clodion the Hairy's lineage, spared by Clovis I while the rest were killed after Clovis was deprived of the throne by Merovech. Walbert was sent to Rome as a child.<ref name="Vinchant, F. (1853)">Vinchant, F. (1853). Annales de la province et comté du Hainaut. Belgium: A. Vandale.</ref>
[[File:10. Anselbert le Sénateur et son épouse Blitilde.jpg|thumb|Walbert's son, Anselbert the Senator, and his wife Blitilde. In the year 528 AD.]] After seeking refuge with fifth-century East Roman Emperor Zeno, Walbert I married his sister Lucille of Pannonia. With Lucille, he fathered two sons, Walbert II and Ansbert (or Anselbert), both of whom became patricians with the latter appointed as a Gallo-Roman senator.<ref>MASSON, F. X. (1861). Annales Ardennaises, ou histoire des lieux qui forment le département des Ardennes et des contrées voisines. tom. 1. (n.p.): Lelaurin.</ref> He was the father of another son, Ydulf, whom he had with Clothilde (or Rothilde) of Hainaut and the Adrennes, daughter of Athalaric, the King of Ostrogothic Italy.<ref name="Vinchant, F. (1648)"/><ref name="Parochial History (1844)">The British Magazine and Monthly Register of Religious and Ecclesiastical Information, Parochial History, and Documents Respecting the State of the Poor, Progress of Education, &c. (1844). United Kingdom: J. Turrill.</ref>
The eldest son of Walbert I, Ansbert the Senator, was appointed by Emperor Justinian as the marquisate of the Holy Empire on the Escaut and the duchy of Moselle, covering territory from Metz to Cologne, including Luxembourg.<ref name="Neyen, A. (1860)"/><ref>Annales du Cercle Archéologique de Mons. (1888). (n.p.): Dequesne-Masquillier.</ref> Ansbert supposedly married Princess Blitilde, daughter (or granddaughter) of Clotaire, and fathered Anchise and Arnoald, bishop of Metz.<ref name="Neyen, A. (1860)">Neyen, A. (1860). Biographie luxembourgeoise. Histoire des hommes distingues originaires de ce pays, considere a l'epoque de sa plus grande etendue (etc.). Luxembourg: Bruck.</ref>
Count Walbert's alliance with the Thuringii sparked jealousy in King Clotaire, who governed the Kingdom of Soissons and the nearby lands of the pagus Hainoensis (present-day Hainaut). Fearing Walbert's claim to the throne as Clodion's grandson, Clotaire seized his lands. Ultimately, Walbert died in exile due to his perceived treachery, seeking refuge in the Church.<ref name="Vinchant, F. (1648)">Vinchant, F. (1648). Annales de la province et comté d'Haynau où l'on voit la suitte des comtes depuis leur commencement. (n.p.): De L'Imprimerie de Jean Havart.</ref>
==Death== Count Walbert I died in {{c.}} 538 in Austrasia, Francia.<ref name="Neyen, A. (1860)"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Walbert I}} Category:5th-century births Category:6th-century deaths Category:5th-century Gallo-Roman people Category:Merovingian dynasty