Rorgon I orRorico(n) I (alsoRorgo orRorich; died 16 June 839 or 840) was the firstcount of Maine and progenitor of theRorgonid dynasty, which is named for him. He wascount of Rennes from 819 and of Maine from 832 until his death.
He was a son of lordGauzlin I of Maine[1] and Adeltrude, both of whom are named as his parents in a charter of 839 by Rorgon I to theAbbey of Saint-Maur de Glanfeuil.[2] Between 819 and 832 Rorgon became count of Maine and at some point, possibly at the bidding of his wife Bilechilde who may have owned the property, undertook to restore the Abbey of Glanfeuil. An Abbot Ingelbert ofSaint-Maur-des-Fossés allegedly assisted Rorgon and sent monks including Rorgon's brother Gausbert.[a][3] Gausbert (Gauzbert) was the name of an Abbot at St. Maur.[4]
Count Rorgon had been a retainer at the court ofCharlemagne, with whose daughterRotrude he had a sexual relationship.[5] The couple had at least one illegitimate child,Louis, Abbot ofSaint-Denis,Saint-Riquier, andSaint-Wandrille,[5] who was alsochancellor to his cousinCharles the Bald from 841.[4]
Rorgon became the second count of Maine in 832 when his predecessorBanzleibs was made margrave of the Saxons. He remained count of Maine until his death in 840, at which time he was succeeded by his brother Gauzbert. His own son, Rorgon II, succeededGauzbert in 853 and upon his death in 865 his other son Gauzfrid became count.
Rorgon married a lady named Bilechilde,[4] and had three sons and two daughters:
Rorgon and Rotrude had one illegitimate son—Louis, Abbot of Saint-Denis, Saint-Riquier, and Saint-Wandrille, and Chancellor to KingCharles the Bald.[6]