Bernard William of Gascony

During his time, Gascony was effectively independent, its duke a sovereign and any connection to the Kingdom of France theoretical.

The early modern historian Pierre de Marca believed that Bernard was a minor and under a regency at the time of his accession, but this very unlikely.

[8] When Abbo was assassinated on 13 November 1004, according to the contemporary chronicler Adhemar of Chabannes, Bernard punished the assassins, "some he hanged, other he sent to the flames", and gave all the disputed monastic property and the monastic church of St Peter itself to the French monks from Fleury who had accompanied Abbo.

The ruling family of Montaner annexed the abbey of Saint-Orens de Larreule in 1009 and installed one of their own as abbot.

[8] On 3 April 1009, Bernard and his wife Urraca issued a charter of confirmation for the property of the abbey of Saint-Sever, founded by his father.

[15] According to a document in the "black" cartulary of the cathedral of Saint Mary of Auch, dating to about 1110,[16] Bernard was assassinated by a knight named Raymond Paba.

[d] After the murder, Raymond sought refuge at the court of Aimeric I, count of Fezensac, who granted him the fief of Vic-Fezensac.