Bertrude (c. 582–618 or 619) was a Frankish queen consort from 613 to 618. She was married to Chlothar II.[1]
| Bertrude | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Queen consort of the Franks | |
| Tenure | 613 - 618 |
| Born | c. 582 |
| Died | 618 or 619 |
| Burial | Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés |
| Spouse | Chlothar II |
| Issue | Bertha |
Her origins are uncertain and unconfirmed; however, it is known that the Mayor of the Palace Erchinoald was King Dagobert I’s cousin through his mother, making her the sister of Saint Gerberge and, therefore, a daughter of Richomer and Saint Gertrude of Hamage. Because Chlothar had three wives (Haldetrude, Bertrude, and Sichilde)[2] and it is not known which was mother of his sons Dagobert I and Charibert II, it is not clear this daughter of Richomer was Bertrude. It is also possible Bertrude was a daughter of Wagon II.
According to the Chronicle of Fredegar, Bertrude loved Chlothar sincerely. She was also described as a popular queen. She is reported to have exposed and prevented an attempted plot by the Burgundian Aletheus, who planned to kill Chlothar and force Bertrude to marry him.[2]
Bertrude died during the 35th year of Chlothar II’s reign, in either 618 or 619. Their daughter was called Bertha.
References
edit- ^ Chronicle of Fredegar
- ^ a b Bush, Annie Forbes. Memoirs of the Queens of France, Parry & Macmillan, 1854, p. 59
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- Christian Settipani. Les Ancêtres de Charlemagne, 1989. ISBN 2-906483-28-1.
- Lejeune, Paule (1989). Les reines de France [The Queens of France] (in French). Paris: Vernal and P. Lebaud. p. 41. ISBN 2-86594-042-X.