William I the Liberator

William I 'the Liberator' (c.955-993), Count of Provence, earned his byname in 972, after the Saracens of Fraxinet; who had held their coastal eyrie for eighty years and kidnapped no less than Abbot Majolus of Cluny for ransom; were finally brought to battle: William led the coalition that destroyed them at Tourtour and cleared the Alpine passes. He died in a monk's habit at Avignon; Provence remembered him simply as 'the Father of the Country'. Two of his children carry our line.