Gerberga of Saxony (c. 913 – 5 May 968/9 or 984?) was a French queen who ruled as regent of France during the minority of her son Lothair in 954–959. She was a member of the Ottonian dynasty. Her first husband was Gilbert, Duke of Lorraine. Her second husband was Louis IV of France. Contemporary sources describe her as a highly educated, intelligent and forceful political player. Life Family Gerberga was born c. 913. She was the second daughter of Henry the Fowler, King of Germany, and his second wife, Matilda (after Hedwig of Saxony, three years her senior). Her older brother was Otto I of Germany. First marriage In 929, Gerberga married her first husband, Gilbert, Duke of Lorraine. They had four children: Alberade of Lorraine (b. about 929); married Renaud (originally as Ragenold), a Viking chieftain who became the Count of Roucy. Henry, Duke of Lorraine (b. about 932). Gerberge of Lorraine (b. about 935); married Adalbert I of Vermandois. Wiltrude (b. about 937). Jocundus, a Lotharingian chronicler writing in the 1070s, recorded that Gerberga was the driving force behind Gilbert's decision to support her younger brother Henry when he rebelled against her older brother Otto I c. 936. Gilbert was defeated by Otto I in 939 at the Battle of Andernach and, while trying to escape, drowned in the Rhine. Second marriage When Gilbert died, Gerberga was about 26 years old. She married secondly Louis IV of France in 939. They were parents to eight children: Lothair of France (941–986). Matilda (b. about 943); married Conrad of Burgundy. Hildegarde (b. about 944). Carloman (b. about 945). Louis (b. about 948). Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine (953–993). Alberade (b. before 953). Henry (b. about 953). Widowhood As regent Louis IV died on 10 September 954. At this time, his son and heir with Gerberga, Lothair of France, was only thirteen, and she therefore became regent during his minority. As regent, Gerberga took action to ensure that Lothar could succeed his father. She reached an agreement with her brother-in-law Hugh the Great, who had been an adversary to Lothair's father. In exchange for supporting Lothair's rule, Hugh was given rule over Aquitaine and much of Burgundy. Gerberga did not seek the support of her brother, Emperor Otto I, because the interference of the East-Frankish emperor in West-Frankish affairs would have placed the West-Frankish kingdom in a weak position politically,