Early Counts of Duras
The Counts of Duras appear in records of the 11th century. The counties of Duras, Grez and Aarschot developed in the 11th and 12th centuries in the area of the former larger County of Hesbaye. The line of the Counts of Duras eventually merged with the Counts of Loon.
The name of the first Count of Duras is unknown. His wife, Herlendis (d. after 2 November 1023) was Countess of Duras and of unknown parentage. Her name appears in various donations, including one noted by Henry II of Leez, Prince-Bishop of Liège, in 1164. Herlendis and her husband had three children:
- Adalbero (d. before 1021), died before his mother.
- Godefroi (d. after 1023), Count of Duras
- Giselbert I (d. after 1023), Count of Duras. The under-voogde of Saint Trudo’s Abbey. Giselbert is known as Giselbert I to distinguish him from his grandson Giselbert II, also Count of Duras.
The county was eventually inherited by a grand-daughter of Herlendis:
- Oda (d. before 1101), married Otto de Looz, who became Count of Duras, son of Giselbert, Count of Looz.
Oda inherited the county of Duras, and her husband Otto became Count of Duras by marriage. She also became guardian (vogt) of the abbey which was financially exploited by both the Dukes of Limburg as well as successor Counts of Duras.
Sources
Wolters, Mathias J., Notice Historique sur l’Ancien Comté de Duras en Hesbaie, Gyselinck, 1855 (available on Google Books)
Diriken, P., Religieus erfgoed in Haspengouw, Kortessem, 2013