Eberhard of Friuli

Eberhard of Friuli was a Frankish duke of Friuli, an important man of the Carolingian empire, husband of the princess Gisela, daughter of the emperor Louis the Pious. He died on 16 December 866 or 867. He is venerated as a saint mainly in the West, at the abbey of Cysoing, founded by him, and is commemorated on 16 December.

Family and formation

Eberhard came from an illustrious Frankish family, the Unruochings, related to the Carolingians, but his parentage is debated. His father was Unruoch II, count of Ternois. Among his relatives was his elder brother, Berengar the Wise. He received a fine education, and though a layman he had a rich library, described in his will. He commissioned Latin works from Lupus Servatus and Sedulius Scottus and corresponded with theologians and church leaders, among them Rabanus Maurus and Hincmar.

Duke of Friuli

As soon as his age allowed, he took part in numerous expeditions. In 828 the emperor Louis the Pious made him margrave of Friuli and of Treviso, in Italy, where he defended the country against the incursions of the Bulgars. According to some sources he was duke only from 846. In the time of the revolts of the emperor's sons (830 to 839) he remained loyal and used his influence with Lothair, the eldest son, to reconcile him with his father. After Louis's death he sought to reconcile his sons, and after the battle of Fontenoy (841) he led Lothair's embassy to his brothers. Then he returned to Italy, threatened by the Saracens, led the army against them, and the war ended in 851 with his victory. In 846 he sheltered the theologian Gottschalk of Orbais for some months, but sent him on after receiving a warning letter from Rabanus Maurus.

Marriage and Cysoing

In 836 the emperor gave him his daughter Gisela in marriage. The marriage was good and they had ten children. Among them was Berengar, who became king of Italy and emperor. Gisela was a pious woman, and among the goods she brought as dowry was the royal estate of Cysoing, in northern France, which the couple made one of their regular residences. They decided to found a monastery there, a long and difficult work, unfinished at their deaths. The community sang solemnly in the church and kept the public prayer, and Eberhard gladly joined them in the choir. His household was ordered like a monastery. The relics of Pope Callixtus I are said to have been brought to Cysoing.

Veneration

Eberhard was buried at Cysoing, where he was venerated as a saint. The Catholic Church commemorates him on 16 December.