Settipani suggests[173] a speculative descent of the kings of Provence (family of Boson King [of Provence]) from Comte Hieronymus, illegitimate son of Charles "Martel". The trail starts with a reference by the late 10th century historian Richer who states that "Karolus Constantinus, Viennæ civitatis princeps" (son of Emperor Louis III – see the document PROVENCE) was "ex regio quidem genere natus" but "concubinali stemmate usque ad tritavum"[174]. Settipani interprets the text as applying to the ancestor in the direct male line, and suggests that the chronology supports the "tritavus" being Comte Hieronymus. He bases the next two generations solely on similarity of names and geographic proximity of the counties referred to, as follows:
Generation 1: RICHARD, Comte de Rouen in 787, and provisor of the royal domains in 795[175], possible son of Comte Hieronymus & [his second wife Ercheswinda].
Generation 2: RICHARD Comte d'Amiens (-after 801). same person as…? RICHARD (-after 796). "Carolus…rex Francorum et Langobardorum" donated property to the abbey of Saint-Denis by charter dated 16 Dec 781 which names "fidelibus…Richardo comite, Gunthardo comite, Theutbaldo comite, Griphone, Geroldo, Nortboldo, Winegiso, Walberto, Gisloldo, Aroino, Theutboldo, Constabili et Waraldo comite palatii nostri"[176]. The Vita Hludowici Imperatoris names "Willebertus…Rotomagæ postea urbis archiepiscopum et Richardum comitem" as royal missi in 796[177].
Generation 3: RICHARD (-before 12 Nov 842), and his brother Buvinus [Bouvin] (-[863/69]), the latter being the father of Boson named King in Provence in 879.
This is an interesting speculation which is worth noting, but there seem to be many other possibilities to explain the text and Settipani cites little documentary evidence in support.