House of Toulouse

The House of Toulouse, also known as the House of Saint-Gilles or Raimondines, was a Frankish family established in Languedoc, ruling the County of Toulouse for four centuries. Originating with Fulcoald of Rouergue, who died after 837, his sons Fredelo and Raymond I became hereditary counts from 849 to 863. The last agnatic ruler, Raymond VII, died in 1249.

The county's creation dates back to 778 when Charlemagne appointed Torson, becoming part of Aquitaine under William the Pious. After Fredelo's death in 852, Rouergue's counts ruled Toulouse hereditarily. The House established itself in the ninth century, with the elder line as Counts of Toulouse and younger branches holding other titles.

In the 12th century, Catharism led to the Albigensian Crusade under Innocent III in 1208. Simon de Montfort defeated Toulouse, becoming count but was killed in 1218. Raymond VII then sided with locals but surrendered after Louis VIII's offensive, signing the Treaty of Meaux in 1229. The county fell under royal control, merging into the French crown by 1271.

Genealogically, branches included Rouergue, Tripoli, Bruniquel, Lautrec, and Limoges, each with distinct lineages and fates. Some lines lasted until the 16th century or were absorbed into other noble families.