Ermengarde of Anjou

Ermengarde of Anjou ( – 1 June 1146), also known as Ermengarde of Brittany, was a member of the comital House of Anjou and by her two marriages was successively Duchess of Aquitaine and Brittany. She was also a patron of Fontevraud Abbey. Ermengarde was the regent of Brittany during the absence of her spouse, Duke Alan IV of Brittany, from 1096 until 1101. Life Early years Born in Angers she was the eldest child of Count Fulk IV of Anjou and Hildegarde of Beaugency. Having lost her mother in 1070, at only two years of age, she received an education, possibly at the abbey of Ronceray, and grew to be pious and concerned about religious reform, especially the struggle against the secular appropriation of church property. In her youth, Ermengarde was noted for her intelligence and beauty in a poem by Marbode of Rennes in which he offers also offers her spiritual guidance and advice. Possible Duchess of Aquitaine