Ekkehard apparently assumed the title of Count of Hesbaye upon the death of Robert II, although the circumstances of this transition are unknown.
In 834, Louis was imprisoned by his son Lothair, and Ekkehard attempted to procure the release of the emperor.
Louis turned the loyal barons of Austrasia and Saxony against Lothair, who fled to Burgundy.
Ekkehard and two of his two sons were killed supporting Charles the Bald in the Battle of Toulouse in 844, fighting Pepin II of Aquitaine.
Reuter, Timothy (Translator and Editor), The Annals of Fulda, Manchester University Press, Manchester, 1992 Lewis, Archibald R., The Dukes in the Regnum Francorum, A.D. 550-751, Speculum 51.3, July 1976