[1] He was a Carolingian aristocrat who played a significant role in Francia.
Herbert became count of Soissons and count of Vermandois before 889, including the strongholds of Péronne and Meulan, and was probably charged with defending the Oise against Viking intrusions.
[1] A contemporary of Baldwin II, Count of Flanders he had the advantage of being a Carolingian, a great-grandson of Pepin of Italy, a son of Charlemagne.
[2] Herbert controlled both St. Quentin and Péronne and his activities in the upper Somme river valley, such as the capture and murder (rather than ransom) of his brother Raoul in 896, may have caused Baldwin II to have him assassinated in 907.
[2] As a part of this pact Herbert also agreed to his son Herbert II of Vermandois marrying Adela, Robert's daughter by his first wife.