• Born: 972, Metz, Austrasia
• Married (1): Before 989
• Married (2): Between 1000 and 1005, Anjou, France
• Died: 21 Jun 1040, Metz, Lorraine, France

  Research Notes:

The Historiæ Andegavensis, allegedly written by Foulques IV "Rechin" Comte d'Anjou, names "Goffridus Grisagonella pater avi mei Fulconis". The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines names "Gaufridi Grisagonelli" as father of "Fulconis Andegavensum comitis". His parentage is confirmed by a charter dated 1037 which announces the birth in 1007 of [his son] "Gaufridus Martellus…pater eius Fulcho…comes Andecavorum filius Gaufridi Fortissimi comitis qui cognominatus est Grisia Gonella" and records donations to Saint-Aubin d'Angers. These sources make it even more puzzling why both the Gesta Consulum Andegavorum and the Historia Comitum Andegavorum...both record that Count Foulques III "Nerra" was the son of Maurice, youngest son of Count Geoffroy I "Grisegonelle". This supposed line of succession is chronologically impossible and is contradicted by all other sources. No explanation has been found for this curious anomaly. "Adela" donated property to Saint-Aubin d'Angers by charter dated 6 Mar 974 which names "seniore meo Gauzfredo comite" and is subscribed by "Gauzfredi comitis, Fulconis filii eius, Gauzfredi filii eius".

He succeeded his father in 987 as FOULQUES III "Nerra/the Black" Comte d'Anjou. He went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 1002. "Fulcho Andegavorum comes" donated property to Saint-Aubin d'Angers for the souls of "patris mei Goffredi atque matris mei Adele…" by charter dated to [1007/26]. "Fulco Andegavorum comes atque Hildegardis conjunx mea" founded the monastery of La Charité Sainte-Marie d’Anjou by undated charter signed by "…Goffridi Fulconis filii…". "Fulco Andecavorum comes et uxor mea Hildegardis filius quoque noster Goffridus" donated the bridge of Mayenne to the monastery of La Charité Sainte-Marie d’Anjou by undated charter. He allied himself with Frédéric II Duke of Upper Lotharingia against Eudes II Comte de Blois, fighting the latter at Pontlevoy and in Champagne. Rodulfus Glaber refers to the "perpetual quarrels and frequent wars" between "secundus Odo filius…prioris Odonis" and Foulques III Comte d'Anjou. “Fulco comes Andegavensis, Iherosolimitanum iter aggrediens cum Audeardi comitissa et filii suo Goffredo Martello” donated property “in Genio...molendinum atque furnum” by undated charter.

Rodolfus Glaber records his death at Metz and his burial place. The Chronicæ Sancti Albini records the death "1040 XI Kal Jul" of "Fulco comes Andecavorum, pater Gaufridi", while the Chronicon Vindocinense also records the death "XI Kal Jul" in 1040 of "Fulco comes". The necrology of Vendôme La Trinité records the death "XI Kal Jul" of "Fulco comes Andegavorum pater fundator nostri". The Gesta Consulum Andegavorum records the burial of Comte Foulques at "Lucanse castrum". ¹