Mon arbre généalogique

The county of Autun is one of the first Burgundian counties to be mentioned in primary sources. The first recorded Comte d'Autun is Theoderic [I], whose origins are not known definitely but who was most probably related to the Carolingian family of Childebrand/Nibelung (see CAROLINGIAN NOBILITY). His descendants continued to hold the county of Autun until Bernard Marquis of Septimania lost it in 830. No record has so far been found of the rulers of the county from that date until 864, when it was awarded to Bernard "Plantevelue" son of the previous Comte Bernard. Possession of the county was disputed by Boson, later King [of Provence], in the late 870s. He installed his brother Richard, later Duke of Burgundy, as Comte d'Autun. After the death of Duke Richard in 921, the county of Autun continued to be held by the dukes of Burgundy.

1. THEODERIC [I], son of --- (-[791/15 Dec 804]). The origin of Comte Theoderic is not known. An interesting speculation is a relationship with the early Saxon leader Widukind, as explained above. Comte d'Autun. Einhard indicates that Theoderich was related to Charles I King of the Franks when he records that in 782 the king sent his three missi "Adalgiso camerario et Geilone comite stabuli et Worado comite palati" to meet "in…Saxonis…Theodericus comes, propinquus regis"[25], the relationship probably being through the wife of Theoderic [I] (see below). "Carolus…rex Francorum et Langobardorum" gave a judgment by charter dated to [Dec 775] which names "fidelibus…Widrigo, Odrigo, Theodrico, Bernehardo, Albuino, Aginhardo, Berngario comitibus et Anshelmo comite palacii nostri"[26]. Einhard records that Charles I King of the Franks sent "Theodorico comite et Meginfredo camerario suo" to "aquilonalem Danubii ripam" in 791[27]. "Willelmus…comes" names "genitore meo Theuderico et genitrice mea Aldana" in his charter dated 14 Dec 804 (version two: dated 15 Dec 804) for the foundation of the monastery of Gellone[28].

The common connection with Autun, and the common use of the name "Theoderic", suggest that the following family was closely related to the family of Nibelung and Childebrand. If this is correct, the only possibility from a chronological point of view is that either Theoderic [I] or his wife was the child of Nibelung [I]. A different speculation is that Theoderic [I] may have been related to the early Saxon leader Widukind (see SAXONY), in whose family references have been found to "Theoderich". The presence of Comte Theoderic, whom it seems likely was the same person as Theoderic [I], in Saxony as recorded by Einhard in 782 (see below) suggests that he may have been acting in some official capacity for the Franks, maybe because of his prior connection with Saxony. It is not impossible that Theoderic was one of the Saxon leaders who surrendered to Charles I King of the Franks in 777 and was rewarded with appointments at the royal court. If this speculation is correct, the name Theoderic may have entered the Nibelung/Childebrand family through Dunna, the wife of Childebrand [III], whose origin is unknown. A third possibility is that Theoderic was a Frankish name which predated the Carolingian conquest of Saxony, as shown by the charter dated 8 Jul 753 under which "Pippinus rex Francorum" confirmed rights to market customs duties of the abbey of Saint-Denis by charter dated 8 Jul 753 which names "fidelibus…Theuderico…"[341]. (see MEROVINGIAN NOBILITY).

THEODERIC [I], son of --- (-[791/15 Dec 804]). The origin of Comte Theoderic is not known. An interesting speculation is a relationship with the early Saxon leader Widukind, as explained above. Comte d'Autun. Einhard indicates that Theoderich was related to Charles I King of the Franks when he records that in 782 the king sent his three missi "Adalgiso camerario et Geilone comite stabuli et Worado comite palati" to meet "in…Saxonis…Theodericus comes, propinquus regis"[342], the relationship probably being through the wife of Theoderic [I] (see below). "Carolus…rex Francorum et Langobardorum" gave a judgment by charter dated to [Dec 775] which names "fidelibus…Widrigo, Odrigo, Theodrico, Bernehardo, Albuino, Aginhardo, Berngario comitibus et Anshelmo comite palacii nostri"[343]. Einhard records that Charles I King of the Franks sent "Theodorico comite et Meginfredo camerario suo" to "aquilonalem Danubii ripam" in 791[344]. "Willelmus…comes" names "genitore meo Theuderico et genitrice mea Aldana" in his charter dated 14 Dec 804 (version two: dated 15 Dec 804) for the foundation of the monastery of Gellone[345].
m ALDANA, daughter of ---. "Willelmus…comes" names "genitore meo Theuderico et genitrice mea Aldana" in his charter dated 14 Dec 804 (version two: dated 15 Dec 804) for the foundation of the monastery of Gellone[346]. Settipani quotes an Aquitaine necrology which lists "Willelmus…pater eius Theodericus, mater Aldana soror Hiltrudis et Landradæ"[347]. He suggests that "Hiltrudis" was the wife of Odilo Duke of Bavaria, and therefore that the wife of Theoderic was Alda, daughter of Charles "Martel" maiordomus of Austrasia and Neustria [Carolingian]. The theory is attractive but not conclusive, as its validity depends on there being no other contemporary Hiltrudis, which is not provable. Hlawitschka highlights the case against the affiliation[348]. On the other hand, Einhard indicates that Theoderic was related to Charles I King of the Franks when he records that in 782 Charles I King of the Franks sent his three missi "Adalgiso camerario et Geilone comite stabuli et Worado comite palati" to meet "in…Saxonis…Theodericus comes, propinquus regis"[349], one possible relationship being between the king and Theoderic's wife who would have been King Charles's paternal aunt if she was the daughter of Charles "Martel".
Theoderic [I] & his wife had [seven] children