Quick Facts
Biography
Aimery IV viscount of Thouars (c. 1024 – c. 1094) was a companion of William the Conqueror, on his Invasion of England in 1066.
Life
He was the son of Geoffrey II of Thouars, and Agnes de Blois, daughter of Odo I, Count of Blois and Bertha of Burgundy.
In 1055 he was allied with Geoffroy Martel, Count of Anjou, against William, Duke of Normandy, and he participated in the siege of Ambrières, a castle built by William on the border of the County of Maine. After returning to Thouars in 1056, he joined the army of the Duke of Aquitaine to fight against the Saracens in Spain. He participated in the capture of Barbastro and brought a rich booty back to his hometown of Thouars.
In 1066, he was in England as part of the invading army of William the Conqueror. At the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, he commanded a corps composed of Poitevins, Bretons, and Angevins. Aimery IV did not settle in England, however, but received ample reimbursement and returned to France.
In Thouars, he rebuilt the castle in 1080. Aimery IV was also lord of La Chaize (near La Roche-sur-Yon), where he built a castle and a church dedicated to St. Nicolas.
Early in 1090, he made war on Pierre de Mortagne and took his castle. The Viscount of Thouars was assassinated by two of his own knights in 1093. He was buried in the church of Saint Nicolas in La Chaize.
Marriages and issue
In 1045, he married Aremgarde de Mauleon (c.1030-c.1070), daughter of Geoffrey de Mauleon and sister of Raoul de Mauleon. They had issue:
- Aimery (died 1090)
- Raoul (1060–1092)
- Eleanor or Aenora (1050–1093), who married Boson II Viscount of Chatellerault (fr) (1050–1092)
- Hildegarde, married Hugh VI of Lusignan around 1065
In 1070, he married Ameline and had issue:
- Herbert II
- Geoffroy III
- Geoffroy de Thouars, who died in 1131