Balthild

Who was Balthild?

Saint Balthild of Ascania, also called Bathilda, Baudour, or Bauthieult, was the wife and queen of Clovis II, the king of Burgundy and Neustria. Born in around 626–627, two traditions, independent and conflicting, collaborate to form the history of her life. One is a hagiography that was intended to further her successful candidature for sainthood. The other is a record of chroniclers, including Jo Ann Mcnamara, Michael Frassetto and Lynda L. Coon, all of whom have a different, slightly less biased rhetoric when describing her deeds.

Both traditions represent her as an Anglo-Saxon who was originally of elite birth, perhaps a relative of Ricberht of East Anglia, the last pagan king of East Anglia. Ricberht was ousted by Sigeberht, who had spent time as an exile in the Frankish court, during which he had been converted to Christianity. Sigeberht was established as the rightful heir to the throne with Frankish help. Balthild was sold into slavery as a young girl and served in the household of Erchinoald, the mayor of the palace of Neustria to Clovis. There are varying views of what exactly happened to her while in Erchinoald’s possession.