Conrad the Elder, Count of Argengau

Conrad the Elder (died about 864) was a prominent noble in the Carolingian Empire, and member of the Elder House of Welf.^[1] He was count of several counties in Alamannia, most notably the counties of Argengau and Linzgau, north of the Lake Constance. Conrad was son of count Welf I and countess Heilwig. Both of Conrad's sisters married into the Carolingian dynasty: the elder Judith was second wife of emperor Louis the Pious, while younger Emma was wife of king Louis the German of East Francia.^[2]

Upper Burgundy (green) and Alamannia (orange), including Conrad's old counties of Argengau and Linzgau (c. 1000)

In 853-858, Conrad's sons left East Francia,^[3] and went over to king Charles the Bald of West Francia, who was Judith's son and thus Conrad's nephew.^[4] Since Conrad already held some lands in the West-Frankish County of Auxerre,^[5] including the position of a lay abbot of Saint-Germaine in Auxerre,^[4] his son Conrad the Younger was appointed Count of Auxerre by king Charles, while the other son Hugh became a monk and Abbot of Saint-Germain d'Auxerre. It is assumed that king Louis of East Francia reacted by confiscating most of their old fiefs and lands in Alamannia and Bavaria.^[6]

The Miracula Sancti Germani calls Conrad Chuonradus princeps (prince, sovereign), when recording his marriage. By some accounts his wife re-married to Robert the Strong after his death.

Family

Between 834 and 838, Conrad married Adelaide of Tours, daughter of Hugh of Tours.^[7] They had:

• Conrad the Younger (II), Count of Auxerre, Lord of Transjuran Burgundy.^[4]
• Hugh, the Abbot of Saint-Germain d'Auxerre.^[4]
• Probably his son was also Welf I count of Alpgau and Linzgau in Swabia^[2]