[GERBERGE ([945]-11 Dec [987/991]). Her name and her two marriages are confirmed by the Chronicle of Saint-Bénigne, interpolated into the Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines, which names "Guilelmum Ottonem et eius matrem Gerbergam" when recording that her son was adopted by his mother's second husband "dux Burgundie Henricus"[552]. Her birth date is estimated from the estimated birth date of her son in [960/62]. Her origin is indicated by the Vita of Hugues Comte de Chalon which refers to his (unnamed) sister as having married the duke of Burgundy[553]. Chronologically, this refers most probably to Duke Henri who died in 1002, although the original of this document has not yet been consulted to check whether the wording supports this conclusion. Gerberge's origin has not yet been corroborated in the other primary sources so far consulted. The Vita appears to indicate that Lambert Comte de Chalon was her father, but this raises several problems if it is correct. Firstly, on the death without direct heirs in 1039 of her supposed brother Hugues Comte de Chalon, the county was inherited by the comparatively obscure children of his younger sister Mathilde, apparently ignoring the superior claims of Gerberge's own numerous descendants, among whom were the powerful counts palatine of Burgundy who, one would have thought, would not have missed the opportunity of acquiring another county. Rodulfus Glaber does record that "Hugo filius Lanberti Cabilonensis comitis…episcopus Autissioderi" was an opponent of "Willemus, Henrici ducis priuignus, Adalberti Longobardorum ducis filius"[554], which could explain why Bishop Hugues favoured a nephew by his younger sister to succeed to his county. Nevertheless, after the bishop's death, his past opposition to Comte Otto-Guillaume may have provided an excuse for his son to intervene in the Chalon succession if he had a legitimate claim. Secondly, considering the likely birth date of her son, Gerberge's first marriage must have taken place while her husband and father-in-law were still reigning kings of Italy. They were under continuous pressure from Otto I King of Germany and it is likely that Adalberto's marriage could have brought additional political support. It is not clear how the relatively obscure count of Chalon could have provided this. Thirdly, after the death in 978 of Lambert Comte de Chalon, and his widow's second marriage to Geoffroy I Comte d'Anjou, no record has been found in the primary sources so far consulted of Henri Duke of Burgundy intervening to prevent Comte Geoffroy taking control of the county of Chalon, which would seem the likely course of action if his wife was the deceased count's oldest child. Fourthly, Gerberge's estimated birth date creates serious chronological problems (as explained further above) if she was the daughter of Lambert's only known wife Adelais. Considerable doubt therefore appears to subsist concerning this origin of Gerberge, although no alternative can so far be proposed if we are to respect the wording of the Vita. The necrology of Auxerre cathedral records the death 11 Dec of "Gerberga comitissa uxor Henrici ducis"[555]. m firstly (before [960/62]) ADALBERTO II King of Italy, son of BERENGARIO II King of Italy [Ivrea] & his wife Willa of Burgundy ([932/936]-Autun [972/975]). m secondly ([973]) [as his first wife,] HENRI Duke of Burgundy, son of HUGUES "le Grand" Duc des Francs & his third wife Hedwig of Germany ([948]-Château de Pouilly-sur-Saône 15 Oct 1002). He adopted his wife's son by her first marriage, Otto-Guillaume later Comte de Bourgogne et de Macon.]
note Philippe: trop d'hypothèse sur ses ascendants