Astarac (French pronunciation: [astaʁak]) (or Estarac) is a region in the modern-day departments of Gers and Hautes-Pyrénées. It was historically located in Gascony, a county in the Middle Ages. Astarac was formed as a county out of the partition of the Duchy of Gascony: following the death of García II Sánchez of Gascony, the duchy was partitioned between his sons, with Arnold I, the youngest son, receiving Astarac.
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Geography
Defined as a natural region, Astarac is located in Gascony, south of the department of Gers and north of the department of Hautes-Pyrénées. Bordering on the Lannemezan plateau, it is a very hilly region with clay soil, crossed by several rivers including the Baïse, Arrats and Gers, which have led to the formation of artificial lakes such as the Lac de l'Astarac.
Astarac borders Armagnac to the northwest, the Rivière-Basse and Bigorre to the west, the Magnoac to the southeast, and Comminges to the east. Its principal cities are Mirande, Masseube, Miélan, Tournay, Pavie, Idrac-Respaillès, Castelnau-Barbarens, Berdoues, Ponsampère, Mont-d'Astarac, Miramont-d'Astarac, Laas d'Astarac, and Fontrailles.
Demographics
Astarac is a region of scattered settlements.
Economy
Livestock farming is the main form of economic output in this region.
Culture
Astarac is in the area of influence of the Gascon language.
Heraldy
The arms of Astarac county are blazoned as follows: quartered sections of Or (gold/yellow) and Gules (red). This coat of arms is also used by the House of Astarac.
Etymology
Astarac (in the Middle Ages: Asteriacum, Asteirac) is a priori, like its homonym Estirac, for a Gallo-Roman domain name based on the local name Aster (Uciando Aster, Dato Aster, Sancio Aster, Atton Aster are documented personal names, the first three in Bigorre, the fourth in Lézat-sur-Lèze). The village of Asté, near Beaucens, is an ancient Aster. Linguist Joan Coromines likens this name to the biscayan word: azterren, meaning 'root' or 'foundation'.
List of counts
Dates should be approached with extreme caution. Usually the exact dates of accession and death are unknown and only floruit dates can be provided. Further, the sources do not always give the same dates.
Count of Astarac
926 – 960 Arnold I Nonat
960 – before 975 Garcie-Arnaud, son
Before 975 – 1022/23 Arnold II, son
1022/23 – c. 1060 William, son
c. 1060 – after 1099 Sancho I, son
After 1099 – 1142 Bernard I, son
1142 – bef. 1153 Sancho II, son
bef. 1153 – c.1176 Bohemond, brother
1174 – 1182 Bernard II, nephew
1183 – ???? Marquesa, cousin, co-countess
1183 – ???? Beatrice, sister, co-countess
???? – 1233 Centule I, son
1233 – 1249 Centule II, son
1249 – 1291 Bernard III, brother
1291 – 1300 Centule III, son
1300 – 1324 Bernard IV, son
1324 – 1326 Bernard V, son
1326 – 1331 Amanieu, brother
1331 – 1363 Centule IV, son
1363 – 1403 John I, son
1398 – 1410 John II, son
1410 – 1458 John III, son
1458 – 1511 John IV, son
Count of Astarac, Candale and Benauges
1511 – 1536 Gaston, husband
???? – 1528 Charles, son
1528 John I, brother
1528 – 1571 Frederick, brother
1571 John II, son
1571 – 1572 Henry, son
1572 – 1593 Margaret, daughter