Lupo II of Gascony

Who was Lupo II of Gascony?

Lupo II is the third-attested historical duke of Gascony, appearing in history for the first time in 769. His ancestry is subject to scholarly debate.

In 769, a final rising of the Aquitanians against Charlemagne and Carloman was put down and the rebel, Hunald, was forced to flee to the court of Lupo in Gascony. Lupo had thitherto been his ally, lending him Gascon troops. Lupo, however, did not desire to bring down upon himself the wrath of the Frankish kings and handed Hunald, along with his wife, over to Charlemagne. He himself did homage for his province, recognising Charlemagne's suzerainty.

Lupo may have been a Basque, but perhaps a Frank or Roman. The name Lupo is a well attested totemic first name and surname widely spread across the whole Basque ethnic area in the early Middle Ages. He may have been a royal appointment of Pepin III, but he may have been elected duke by the people. The extent of his territory is unknown. He may have ruled all of Aquitaine after 769, but that is not likely. His Gascony did border the Agenais and its northern border seems to have been the Garonne. Bordeaux was not under his control, but that of a separate line of Carolingian-appointed counts.