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Birth:           758 
Death:          30 Apr  783 Thionville, Moselle

Notes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildegard_of_the_Vinzgau
Hildegard (ca. 754[1] – 30 April 783 at Thionville,[2] Moselle), was the second[3] wife 
of Charlemagne and mother of Louis the Pious. Little is known about her life, because, 
like all women of Charlemagne, she became important only from a political 
background, recording her parentage, wedding, death and her role as a mother.[4]
Origins[edit]

She was the daughter of the Germanic Count Gerold of Kraichgau (founder of the 
Udalriching family) and his wife Emma, in turn daughter of Duke Nebe (Hnabi) of 
Alemannia and Hereswintha vom Bodensee (of Lake Constance).[5] Hildegard's father 
had extensive possessions in the dominion of Charlemagne's younger brother 
Carloman, so this union was of significant importance for Charlemagne, because he 
could strengthen its position in the east of the Rhine and also could bind the 
Alemannian nobility to his side.[6]

Life[edit]

It is unknown if Charlemagne planned his marriage before the sudden death of 
Carloman or was just a part of the purposeful incorporation of his younger brother's 
Kingdom, in detriment of the claims of his nephews.[7] In any event, the wedding 
between Charlemagne and Hildegard took place at Aix-la-Chapelle certainly before 30 
April 771, after the repudiation of the Lombardian princess Desiderata, Charlemagne's 
previous wife.

As no exact date of birth of Hildegard was recorded, it was assumed that at the time 
of her wedding she could be around 17 years old, giving her a birthdate of 754. A 
marriage at this age is not unusual for that time, since the age of marriage was set at 
puberty. In Roman law, which was very well received by the Church, the minimum age 
for marriage for girls of 12 years has been established.[8]

An intense physical relationship between the spouses was demonstrated by the fact 
that, during her 12 years of marriage, Hildegard had 8 pregnancies (including one set 
of twins) and remarkably chronicles never mentioned either miscarriages or stillbirths. 
She accompanied Charlemagne on many of his military campaigns: she gave birth her 
second child and first daughter, Adelaide, during the siege of Pavia, capital of the 
Kingdom of the Lombards (September 773/June 774), but she died during the return 
journey to France. In 778, Hildegard accompanied her husband as far as Aquitaine, 
where she gave birth the twins Louis and Lothair.[9] In 780/781 she traveled with 
Charlemagne and four of their children to Rome, where the sons Louis and Carloman 
(renamed Pepin after his baptism by Pope Adrian I) were appointed sub-kings of 
Aquitaine and Italy, respectively. This contributed to the strengthening of the alliance 
between the Carolingians and the Papacy.[10] Because of her frequent pregnancies, 
can be presumed that Hildegard accompanied her husband on further campaigns, at 
least temporarily.

Hildegard died on 30 April 783, according to Paul the Deacon, from the after effects 
of her last childbirth.[11] She was buried on 1 May in the Abbey of Saint-Arnould in 
Metz. Following the wishes of Charlemagne, in her grave were burn candles and daily 
prayers must be said for her soul.[12]

Interaction with the Church and Donations[edit]

Hildegard made several donations to the monasteries of St. Denis and St. Martin of 
Tours.[13] She was a friend of Saint Leoba, who reportedly lived some time with her at 
court. She intervened in Hildegard's religious education and also offered her spiritual 
advice.[14] Together with her husband she commissioned the Godescalc 
Evangelistary,[15] where for the first time she was explicitly mentioned as Queen -also 
of the Lombards- through the joint signature of documents with her husband.[16]

Hildegard enjoyed in her own lifetime from a high reputation, as was demonstrated in 
her obituary wrote by Paul the Deacon.[17] However, these compliments are to be 
regarded with some skepticism. In her Epitaph were included phrases that may have 
been introduced to flatter Charlemagne: for example, the reference to the fact that 
Hildegard was the epitome of beauty, wisdom and virtue. This were common words 
used by medieval writers to their rulers.[18] Pope Adrian I, in a letter to Charlemagne, 
expressed his condolences over the untimely death of Hildegard.

Hildegard used her position as Queen consort to obtain for her siblings several 
territorial and monetary benefits; as far was known, she was the only of Charlemagne's 
wives or concubines who managed to obtain for a relative an office after her 
marriage.[14] In addition, was also assumed that she, like other medieval queens, held 
several roles, such as ruling the court or being the representative (or regent) of the 
sovereign during his absence. This could mean that she was in close contact with all 
the government decision of her husband.[19]

Together with her husband, she was the main benefactress of the Monastery of 
Kempten (founded in 752), who received financial and political support. From Italy 
they brought after the conquest of the Kingdom of the Lombards in 773/774 the relics 
of the Roman martyrs Saints Gordianus and Epimachus to Kempten, whom, along with 
the Virgin Mary, are the patrons of the monastery.

Hildegard was extensively mentioned in Kempten as one of the founders; her bust 
graced the pin crest and some coins of the later Imperial Abbey. In the late Middle 
Ages it was alleged that Hildegard was buried in Kempten, as well as her son Louis 
the Pious; there was built the called Hildegard Chapel (Hildegardkapelle), who quickly 
became in a place of pilgrimage and were several miracles are reported. This explains 
that the Queen was revered as a saint in the Allgäu and always presented with an 
aureola. In the 17th century the building of another Hildegard Chapel at the 
Fürstäbtliche of Kempten was projected, but this was abandoned after the 
secularization.

Even in modern times, the memory of Hildegard and her importance in the urban 
development at Kempten is still very noticeable: The central square in front of St. 
Lorenz Basilica was named the Hildegard Square (Hildegardplatz) in her honor. In 
1862 was erected in the square the Neo-Gothic Hildegard fountain 
(Hildegardsbrunnen), who was closed in the 1950s. At the facade of the local 
Landhaus, appeared her idealized portrait painted by Franz Weiß. Also, in 1874 was 
founded the originally exclusive for girl Hildegardis-Gymnasium Kempten Lyceum. At 
the Lindau Road, close to the school, was also located another Hildegard Fountain. 
On the facades of some houses were shown the image of the Queen, and on the edge 
of Kempten forest was located the Hildegard Oak (Hildegardseiche) for several years 
until was replaced by a new plantation. Until the 1950s, many girls born in Kempten 
were named after Hildegard.

Children[edit]

Although Charlemagne already had an older son (Pepin the Hunchback) from his first 
union with Himiltrude, he was never considered an heir by his father. In his will of 806 
(the called Divisio Regnorum), he divided his domains between the three surviving 
sons of Hildegard. Because her son Louis the Pious succeeded Charlemagne as 
Emperor, Hildegard is often called "mother of Kings and Emperors".
Charles (772/73 – 4 December 811 in Bavaria[20]), the eldest son according to Paul 
the Deacon, who recorded his parentage.[21] His father associated him in the 
government of Francia and Saxony in 790, and crowned joint King of the Franks at 
Rome on 25 December 800, but died before his father.[16]
Adelaide (September 773/June 774 in Italy – July/August 774, buried Metz, Abbey of 
Saint-Arnould). Born during the siege of Pavia, she was named after an early 
deceased sister of Charlemagne.[22] She died during the return journey to France.[23] 
She is named daughter of King Charles by Paul the Deacon, when recording her place 
of burial,[21] who also wrote an epitaph to "Adeleidis filia Karoli regis" specifying that 
she was born in Italy.[24]
Rotrude (775 – 6 June 810[25]), named after her paternal great-grandmother. 
"Hruodrudem et Bertham et Gislam" are named daughters of King Charles and 
Hildegard by Einhard.[26] Angilbert's poem Ad Pippinum Italiæ regum names (in order) 
"Chrodthrudis...Berta...Gisla et Theodrada" as daughters of King Charles.[27] She was 
betrothed in 781 with Constantine VI, Emperor of Byzantium, and received the name 
Erythro in preparation for her future wedding. The betrothal was broken in 787,[28] 
and she, like all her sisters, remained unmarried. From a liaison with Rorgo of Rennes 
she had one son, the latter Louis, Abbot of Saint-Denis.
Carloman (777 – 8 July 810 in Milan, buried Verona, San Zeno Maggiore), renamed 
Pepin in Rome on 15 April 781 by Pope Adrian I, and crowned King of Italy that day. 
He also predeceased his father.
Louis (Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, Vienne, 16 April/September 778 – 20 June 840 in 
Ingelheim, buried Metz, Abbey of Saint-Arnould). He is named, and his parentage 
recorded, by Paul the Deacon, which specifies that he was his parents' third son, born 
a twin with Lothair.[21] Crowned King of Aquitaine in Rome on 15 April 781 by Pope 
Adrian I, his father named him as his successor at Aix-la-Chapelle, crowning him as 
joint Holy Roman Emperor on 11 September 813.
Lothair (Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, Vienne, 16 April/September 778 – 779/80). He is 
named, and his parentage recorded, by Paul the Deacon, which specifies that he was 
his parents' fourth son "qui biennis occubuit", born a twin with Louis,[21] and also 
wrote an epitaph to "Chlodarii pueri regis" naming "Karolus...rex genitorque tuus, 
genitrix regina…Hildigarda" and specifying that he was a twin.[29]
Bertha (779/80 – after 11 March 824), named after her paternal grandmother. An offer 
by Offa of Mercia to arrange a marriage between her and his son, Ecgfrith, led to 
Charlemagne breaking off diplomatic relations with Britain in 790, and banning British 
ships from his ports.[30] Like her sisters, she never married, but from her liaison with 
Angilbert, a court official, she had two sons: Hartnid (about whom little is known) and 
the historian Nithard, Abbott of St. Riquier.
Gisela (before May 781 – after 800, maybe after 814). Named after her surviving 
paternal aunt, she was baptized in Milan in May 781.[31]
Hildegard (March/April 783 in Thionville – 1/8 June 783, buried Metz, Abbey of Saint-
Arnould), named after her mother (an unusual practice at that time), she is named 
daughter of King Charles by Paul the Deacon, when recording her place of burial,[21] 
and also wrote an epitaph to "Hildegardis filiæ [Karoli regis]" specifying that she lived 
40 days and her mother died after giving birth to her.[32]

Parents
OF SWABIA Gerold I ( 710 -  799)
OF ALLEMANIA Emma (Imma) (ABT  720 -  798)

Siblings
D'ORLEANS Hadrian (ABT  750 - BEF Nov  821)
VON ARGENGAU Ulrich I (ABT  755 - )
OF VINZGAU Hildegarde ( 758 - 30 Apr  783)

Marriage To ____ Charlemagne (2 Apr  747 - 28 Jan  814)
    m.  771 Aachen, Rhineland

Notes

Parents
____ Pepin III "Le Bref" ("the Short") ( 715 - 24 Sep  768)
DE LAON Bertha (Bertrade) "Broadfoot" ( 720 - 12 Jul  783)

Children by ____ Charlemagne 2 Apr  747 - 28 Jan  814
____ Berthe (Bertha) (ABT  772 - ABT  825)
OF ITALY Pepin (Apr  773 - 8 Jul  810)
____ Rotrude (ABT  775 - 6 Jun  810)
____ Louis I "the Pious" "the Fair" (Aug  778 - 20 Jun  840)

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