Bertrada of Laon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bertrada of Laon |
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Statue of Bertrada by Eugène Oudiné, one of the twenty Reines de France et Femmes illustres in the Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris
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| Queen consort of the Franks | |
| Reign | November 751 - 24 September 768 |
| Born | between 710 and 727 Laon, Francia |
| Died | 12 July 783 Choisy-au-Bac, Francia |
| Burial | Saint Denis Basilica |
| Spouse | Pepin the Short |
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| Father | Charibert of Laon |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Bertrada of Laon was an important Frankish queen. She was born between 710 and 727 and died on July 12, 783. People also called her "Bertha Broadfoot." She was married to King Pepin the Short. Bertrada was the mother of famous leaders like Charlemagne and Carloman, and also their sister Gisela. She had five other children too.
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Bertha Broadfoot: Her Nickname
Bertrada was known as "Bertha Broadfoot." This nickname first appeared in a poem from the 1200s. We don't know exactly why she got this name. Maybe she had foot problems like bunions, which made her feet look wider. It's also possible the name was just part of a story.
Bertrada's Life Story
Early Life and Family
Bertrada was born in Laon, which is in modern-day France. This happened sometime between the years 710 and 727. Her father was Count Charibert of Laon. Her grandmother, Bertrada of Prüm, helped start a famous monastery called Prüm Abbey.
Marriage and Children
Bertrada married Pepin the Short in 741. Pepin was the son of Charles Martel, a powerful Frankish leader. At first, their marriage wasn't fully legal in the church. This was because they were related to each other. The church officially approved their marriage in 749.
Bertrada and Pepin had eight children together. Three of their children lived to be adults. These were Charlemagne (born around 742), Carloman (born 751), and Gisela (born 757). Their son Pepin, born in 756, died when he was young. They also had daughters named Berthe, Adelaide, and Rothaide. Gisela later became a nun.
Becoming Queen of the Franks
In 751, Pepin became King of the Franks. Bertrada then became the Queen. This happened after Pepin took power from the old Frankish kings. In 754, Pope Stephen II blessed Pepin, Bertrada, Charlemagne, and Carloman. This was a very important event.
After King Pepin died in 768, Bertrada was no longer the Queen. Her sons, Charlemagne and Carloman, divided their father's kingdom. Bertrada stayed at the royal court. She often tried to help her sons when they argued. Some historians believe Bertrada's support for Charlemagne helped him become successful early on. She also used her diplomatic skills to help him.
Bertrada lived at Charlemagne's court. They had a good relationship. She even advised Charlemagne on his marriages.
Later Years and Death
After Carloman died in 771, Bertrada moved away from the court. She went to live in a royal house in Choisy-au-Bac. This place was special because several old kings had lived and been buried there.
Bertrada died on July 12, 783, in Choisy-au-Bac. Charlemagne buried her next to Pepin at the Basilica of St Denis.
Bertrada in Stories and Art
Bertrada inspired a poem called Li rouman de Berte aus grands piés in 1270. The poet, Adenes Le Roi, was the first to call her "Bertha Broadfoot" in this work.
She is also mentioned as "Bertha Broadfoot" (Berthe au grand pied) in a 15th-century poem by François Villon.
Bertrada was also made into a character named Berthe in the musical Pippin.
See also
In Spanish: Bertrada de Laon para niños
