Astarac () (or Estarac) is a region in the modern-day departments of Gers and Hautes-Pyrénées. It was historically located in Gascony, a county in the Middle Ages. Astarac was formed as a county out of the partition of the Duchy of Gascony: following the death of García II Sánchez of Gascony, the duchy was partitioned between his sons, with Arnold I, the youngest son, receiving Astarac.
Geography Defined as a natural region, Astarac is located in Gascony, south of the department of Gers and north of the department of Hautes-Pyrénées. Bordering on the Lannemezan plateau, it is a very hilly region with clay soil, crossed by several rivers including the Baïse, Arrats and Gers, which have led to the formation of artificial lakes such as the Lac de l'Astarac.
Astarac borders Armagnac to the northwest, the Rivière-Basse and Bigorre to the west, the to the southeast, and Comminges to the east. Its principal cities are Mirande, Masseube, Miélan, Tournay, Pavie, Idrac-Respaillès, Castelnau-Barbarens, Berdoues, Ponsampère, Mont-d'Astarac, Miramont-d'Astarac, Laas d'Astarac, and Fontrailles.
Demographics Astarac is a region of scattered settlements.
Economy Livestock farming is the main form of economic output in this region.
Culture Astarac is in the area of influence of the Gascon language.
Heraldy The arms of Astarac county are blazoned as follows: quartered sections of Or (gold/yellow) and Gules (red). This coat of arms is also used by the House of Astarac.
Etymology Astarac (in the Middle Ages: Asteriacum, Asteirac) is a priori, like its homonym Estirac, for a Gallo-Roman domain name based on the local name Aster (Uciando Aster, Dato Aster, Sancio Aster, Atton Aster are documented personal names, the first three in Bigorre, the fourth in Lézat-sur-Lèze). The village of Asté, near Beaucens, is an ancient Aster. Linguist Joan Coromines likens this name to the biscayan word: azterren, meaning 'root' or 'foundation'.
History
List of counts Dates should be approached with extreme caution. Usually the exact dates of accession and death are unknown and only floruit dates can be provided. Further, the sources do not always give the same dates.
Count of Astarac 926960 Arnold I Nonat 960before 975 , son Before 9751022/23 , son 1022/23 – William, son – after 1099 Sancho I, son After 1099 – 1142 , son 1142 – bef. 1153 Sancho II, son bef. 1153 – c.1176 Bohemond, brother 1174 – 1182 Bernard II, nephew 1183 – ???? Marquesa, cousin, co-countess 1183 – ???? Beatrice, sister, co-countess ???? – 1233 Centule I, son 1233 – 1249 Centule II, son 1249 – 1291 Bernard III, brother 1291 – 1300 Centule III, son 1300 – 1324 Bernard IV, son 1324 – 1326 Bernard V, son 1326 – 1331 Amanieu, brother 1331 – 1363 Centule IV, son 1363 – 1403 John I, son 1398 – 1410 John II, son 1410 – 1458 John III, son 1458 – 1511 John IV, son 1511 – 1569 Martha, daughter
Count of Astarac, Candale and Benauges 1511 – 1536 Gaston, husband ???? – 1528 Charles, son 1528 John I, brother 1528 – 1571 Frederick, brother 1571 John II, son 1571 – 1572 Henry, son 1572 – 1593 Margaret, daughter
References
Sources
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