• Born: Est 905
• Died: 10 May 967, Reims, Champagne-Ardenne, France

  Research Notes:

Flodoard records in 923 that "Ragenoldus princeps Nortmannorum" was operating “in fluvio Ligeri” [River Loire] and pillaged “Franciam trans Isaram” [River Oise] with help from “coniunctis sibi plurimis ex Rodomo” [Rouen], that “fideles Heriberti” with “Rodulfo privigno Rotgeri et Ingobranno comitibus” recaptured booty and freed prisoners, that Ragenold went “in pagum Atrabatensem” [Artois] where he was defeated by “comes Adelelmus” and took refuge “ad munitionem suarum”, and that King Raoul forced peace with “Nortmanni” after they devastated “pagum Belvacensem” [Beauvaisis]. The reference to the Loire suggests that Ragenold may have been a member of the group of Vikings who occupied Brittany in 919. Flodoard records that “Raginardus” continued his raids in 924, attacking Burgundy, but that in 925 he was defeated by “Warnerius et Manasses comites, Ansegisus et Gotselmus præsules” at “montem Calaum” [Chalmont]. The Chronicon Maceriense records in 925 that "Manasses Porcensis, Marcus Dulcomensis et Guarinus Castriencis" defeated "cum Reginaldo Rociensi Normannos apud Calvum montem". Flodoard records that “Nortmannos” (without naming their leader) attacked “in pago Atrabatensi” in 926 but were again defeated.

Same person as...? RAGENOLD [Renaud] (-10 May 967, bur Abbaye de Saint-Rémy). There is no record of Ragenold over the following twenty years, which suggests the possibility that the later entries do not refer to the same person. Flodoard records in 944 that “Ragenoldus” attacked the abbey of Saint-Médard de Soissons at the same time as the king’s troops attacked “episcopatum Remensem”. The text of this passage suggests coordination, presumably based on an alliance, which appears confirmed by Flodoard’s record in 945 that King Louis “collecto secum Nortmannorum exercitu” attacked “Veromandinsem pagum” and his report that Hugues “le Grand” suggested that “Ragenoldus” represent the king at a conference organised after he defeated “Nortmannis”.

Comte [de Reims]: Flodoard records in 947 that "Ragenaldus comes et Dodo frater ipsius præsulis" (the latter referring to Artaud Archbishop of Reims) headed the army of the archbishopric of Reims against Hérivé, nephew of the previous archbishop. This passage suggests that Ragenold may have been installed as military chief at Reims after Artaud was restored as archbishop in 946. It is not certain that Ragenold’s county at that time was Reims. Orderic Vitalis refers to "filiam Rainaldi comitis Remorum" when recording her marriage... However, Orderic was writing about a century after events in the mid-10th century and, in any case, it is likely that the archbishop of Reims enjoyed comital jurisdiction in the town. A clearer statement is found in the (presumably contemporary) charter dated to [948/54], relating to the foundation of Charlieu abbey, which is subscribed by "Rainaldus Remensis comitis". On the other hand, the unusual phrasing “comes Ludowici”, in the extract which follows, suggests that Ragenold owed his comital title directly to the king and that it may not have been linked to a geographical county, although this would have been unusual at the time. Flodoard records in 948 that Hugues “le Grand” unsuccessfully besieged “munitionem...super Axonam fluvium in loco...Rauciacus” [Roucy] which was being built by “Ragenoldus comes Ludowici”.

Comte de Roucy. Flodoard records in 949 that “Ragenaldus comes” built “munitionem...in fluvio Materna...apud Maroilum” [Mareuil]. Flodoard in 949 records that "Ragenaldus comes" captured "castrum quondam Herivei…Castellionem". Flodoard in 950 names "Arnulfo comite et Ragenoldo atque Artoldo archiepiscopo" as the king’s representatives to negotiate the return fo the castle of Laon from Hugues “le Grand”, and also that “homines Ragenoldi comitis” captured “munitionem Rodomensis æcclesiæ super fluvium Vidulam...Brainam”. Flodoard in 953 records that "Ragenaldus comes" was threatened with excommunication for having taken property of the church of Reims, but that the king intervened on his behalf. Flodoard in 954 records that "Heribertus comes" captured “Rauciacum munitionem Ragenaldi” but later returned it in exchange for “quibusdam villis”. He supported King Lothaire on his expedition to Aquitaine in 955. Flodoard in 955 records that "Ragenaldus comes" captured “castrum...sanctæ Radegundis urbi” during the siege of Poitiers. Flodoard in 966 records that "Odelricus archiepiscopus" excommunicated “Ragenaldum comitem” for having captured villages belonging to the church of Reims and that Ragenold pillaged the archbishop’s territories in revenge. A manuscript Noticia de benefactoribus S. Remigii includes the donation by “Rogenoldus comes” of “Curtem Cedronis” [Courtcedre].

The necrology of Reims records the death “VI Id Mai” of “Raginoldus comes”. The Chronicon Sancti Petri Vivi Senonensis records that “Rainaldus consiliarus regis Hlotarii” died “mense Junio...anno nono ordinationis suæ”, the latter referring to Archambaud who was appointed as archbishop of Sens in 958, therefore the passage being dated to 967. ¹

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Racineshistoire shows Ragenold de Roucy as possibly a son of Achard de La Ferté-sur-Aube and his wife Acharde de Bar-sur-Aube. It further says: peut-être d’origine Viking (perhaps Viking ancestry). ²