Astarac (or Estarac) is a region in modern-day departments of Gers and Hautes-Pyrénées. It was historically located in Gascony, a county in the Middle Ages. Astarac was formed as a county out of the partition of the Duchy of Gascony: following the death of García II Sánchez of Gascony, the duchy was partitioned between his sons, with Arnold I, the youngest son, receiving Astarac.

Geography

Defined as a natural region, Astarac is located in Gascony, south of the department of Gers and north of the department of Hautes-Pyrénées. Bordering on the Lannemezan plateau, it is a very hilly region with clay soil, crossed by several rivers including the Baïse, Arrats and Gers, which have led to the formation of artificial lakes such as the Lac de l'Astarac. Astarac borders Armagnac to the northwest, the Rivière-Basse and Bigorre to the west, the Magnoac to the southeast, and Comminges to the east. Its principal cities are Mirande, Masseube, Miélan, Tournay, Pavie, Idrac-Respaillès, Castelnau-Barbarens, Berdoues, Ponsampère, Mont-d'Astarac, Miramont-d'Astarac, Laas d'Astarac, and Fontrailles.

Demographics

Astarac is a region of scattered settlements.

Economy

Livestock farming is the main form of economic output in this region.

Culture

Astarac is in the area of influence of the Gascon language.

Heraldy

The arms of Astarac county are blazoned as follows: quartered sections of Or (gold/yellow) and Gules (red). This coat of arms is also used by the House of Astarac.

Etymology

Astarac (in the Middle Ages: Asteriacum, Asteirac) is a priori, like its homonym Estirac, for a Gallo-Roman domain name based on the local name Aster (Uciando Aster, Dato Aster, Sancio Aster, Atton Aster are documented personal names, the first three in Bigorre, the fourth in Lézat-sur-Lèze). The village of Asté, near Beaucens, is an ancient Aster. Linguist Joan Coromines likens this name to the biscayan word: azterren, meaning 'root' or 'foundation'.

History

Counts

Dates should be approached with extreme caution. Usually the exact dates of accession and death are unknown and only floruit dates can be provided. Further, the sources do not always give the same dates.

Count of Asterac

Count of Asterac, Candale and Benauges

Sources