Fulk III "The Black" d'Anjou ^{1 2 3 4}

   Another name for Fulk was Foulques III.

  General Notes:

[G675.ged]

"Not all founders [of monasteries] were known for their kindness. Fulk of Anjou, plunderer, murderer, robber, and swearer of false oaths, a truly terrifying character of fiendish cruelty, founded not one but two large abbeys. This Fulk was filled with unbridled passion, a temper directed to extremes. Whenever he had the slightest difference with a neighbor he rushed upon his lands, ravaging, pillaging, raping, and killing; nothing could stop him, least of all the commandments of God. This appalling man had countless crimes upon his conscience, but when seized with a fit of remorse he abandoned himself to incredible penances. Thus the very tomb of St. Martin, whose monks he had ill-treated, saw him prostrate, with bare feet and in penitent's dress; and four times during his life he went to Jerusalem as a devout pilgrim, treading half-naked the sorrowful road of the passion while two of his servants flogged him until the blood flowed, crying, "Lord, receive thy perjured Fulk!" "
--- Richard Erdoes, *AD 1000: Living on the Brink of Apocalypse*, 1988 (reprint 1995) p 12

  Noted events in his life were:

• Religion: Made 3 or 4 pilgrimages to Jerusalem to atone for his sins. ⁴

• Personality: Known as a terrifying character of fiendish cruelty. ⁴

• Military: Plunderer, murderer, robber, and swearer of fale oaths. ⁴

Fulk married Hildegard of Sundgau.