Origins & Early Life

William IX (Occitan: Guilhèm de Peitieus or Guilhem de Poitou, French: Guillaume de Poitiers; called the Troubadour; 22 October 1071 – 10 February 1126) was the Duke of Aquitaine and Gascony and Count of Poitou between 1086 and his death. He was also one of the leaders of the Crusade of 1101. Though his political and military achievements have a certain historical importance, he is best known as the earliest troubadour—a vernacular lyric poet in the Occitan language—by whom some work survives. William was the son of William VIII of Aquitaine by his third wife, Hildegarde of Burgundy.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His birth was a cause of great celebration at the Aquitanian court, but the Church at first considered him illegitimate because of his father's earlier divorces and his parents' consanguinity. This obliged his father to make a pilgrimage to Rome soon after his birth to seek Papal approval of his third marriage and the young William's legitimacy. William inherited the duchy at the age of fifteen upon the death of his father. It has been generally believed that he was first married in 1088, at age sixteen, to Ermengarde, daughter of Fulk IV of Anjou. Biographers...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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