GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY.
RIDDELLS OF NORMANDY AND ARDNAMURCHAN.
Walgrinus Ridel¹ (1), ancestors unknown, styled Prapinquas, or
relative of Charles the Bald,* King of France and Emperor of Germany,
in the year 886 was created by that prince, Earl of Angoulesme and Pira-
gord. He married Rosalinda, daughter of Bernard, the famous Duke of
Aquitaine, who died in 806, and was afterwards canonized, and grandson of
Earl Theodoric, one of the chief captains under Charlemagne. In right
of Rosalinda, Walgrinus acquired the earldom of Agen. He had issue two
sons, of whom hereafter. He died in 886, and was succeeded by his eldest
son.
SECOND GENERATION.
Alduin Ridel (1), eldest son of Walgrinus¹ (1) was born at Angoulesme,
France, and was named for his paternal uncle, Alduin, the famous abbot
of St. Denis, and chief minister of France under Louis le Debonnaire. He
succeeded to the earldom of Angoulesme, and rebuilt the walls of this chief
city of his principality in order to defend it against the incursions of the
Normans, who at that time grievously infested the country. He was suc-
ceeded by his son, of whom more hereafter.
William Ridel2 (1), second son of Walgrinus¹ (1), was born at Angou-
lesme, France, and had for his inheritance the earldoms of Piragord and
Agen, and became ancestor of the Earls of Piragord, which branch of
the family was afterwards united to this line, as will soon appear.
THIRD GENERATION.
William Ridel³ (2), son of Alduin² (1), was born at Angoulesme,
France, and succeeded to the earldom of Angoulesme. He was surnamed
"Lector-ferri," or "Taillefer," that is, "Iron-cutter," which name was
acquired from his having, in an engagement with the Normans, cloven
through with one stroke of his sword the body of Storis, their king,
though clad in iron armor, a feat of strength considered worthy of com-
memoration in that chivalrous age. He was succeeded by his son in 963.
FOURTH GENERATION.
Arnold Ridel' (1), son of William³ (2), was born at Angoulesme, and
* Charles the Bald was son of Louis the Debonnaire (the gentle), and grandson
of Charlemagne. The brothers of Charles were Lothaire, Pepin, and Louis.
