Felix of Aquitaine
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Felix (died circa 676) was the Patrician[1] of Toulouse, and then Duke of Aquitaine from 660 until his death. He had his seat at Toulouse, and was probably a vassal of the Franks. Evidence suggests that his duchy was a recreation of the old kingdom of Charibert II.[2] The last known duke before Felix was Boggis.
In Felix' time, Vasconia formed a part of Aquitaine, into which it had been incorporated following the successful putting down of a rebellion in 645. It is disputable whether or not Felix was a duke in his own right over a state of his own creation[3] or a Merovingian official governing a constituent kingdom of the Frankish realm. It is also argued that the Basques were the allies of the Aquitainians and not their subjects.[4] Felix' duchy encompassed Bordeaux, Vasconia, Novempopulania, and Narbonensis (including Toulouse), but did not extend to the Loire as in later ages.[5]
Felix was succeeded by Lupus I. It seems that he gave Lupus Vasconia in or around 670, for Lupus presides over the synod of Bordeaux in 673, though Felix was still in power at that time.[6]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Lewis, Miracula, p.388.
- ^ Sedycias.
- ^ Estornés.
- ^ Sedycias.
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ Higounet, pp 20–21, nn 43 and 45. This synod was held under Childeric II, which leads Higounet to propose Frankish sovereignty over Aquitaine-Vasconia. A subsequent break with the Merovings, however, is assumed following the ducal rebellion and disorder after Childeric's death in 675.
[edit] Sources
- Estornés Lasa, Bernardo. Auñamendi Encyclopedia: Ducado de Vasconia
- Lewis, Archibald R. "The Dukes in the Regnum Francorum, A.D. 550-751." Speculum, Vol. 51, No 3 (July 1976), pp 381–410
- Sedycias, João. História da Língua Espanhola
- Higounet, Charles. Bordeaux pendant le haut moyen age. Bordeaux, 1963
- Miracula Sancti Martialis Lemovicensis. MGH SS XV
