Ermentrude of Orléans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ermentrude |
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Ermentrude
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| Queen consort of West Francia | |
| Tenure | 843–869 |
| Coronation | 866 |
| Born | 27 September 823 |
| Died | 6 October 869 (aged 46) |
| Burial | Basilica of Saint-Denis, Paris, France |
| Spouse | Charles II (m. 842) |
| Issue among others... |
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| Dynasty | Udalriching |
| Father | Odo I of Orléans |
| Mother | Engeltrude de Fézensac |
Ermentrude of Orléans (27 September 823 – 6 October 869) was the Queen of the Franks by her marriage to Charles II.
Queenship
The traditional historiography on queenship has created an image of a queen who a king's "helpmate" and provider of heirs. They had power within the royal household and partially within court. P.Stafford has examined queenship in a lot of depth, using Ermentrude's role in the Carolingian dynasty. They were involved in smooth day-to-day running of their household, as they directed the children's education and managed the royal treasury. Stafford also described the queens as hostesses who ensured the royal family was not involved in scandal and gave gifts to high-ranking officials in a society where this was important to maintain bonds. As a result, queens were expected to act as chaste, loyal and wise women.
In particular, Ermentrude was described by a contemporary, John Scotus Eriugena, as a 'strong woman' (femina fortis). 2 letters written in her name survive, and a further 5 letters were addressed to her. She was involved in 12 charters issued by Charles II.
Consecration
In 866, Ermentrude was consecrated by the Archbishop Hincmar of Rheims during a politically turbulent time regarding his relationship with Charles II. It was the coronation of a wife rather than a bride, as she was crowned over 20 years after her wedding. According to Z. Mistry, the ordination shows two important ideas about Ermentrude and queenship in general: a) dynastic security b) how to be a good wife to a king.
Throughout the ordination, Ermentrude is repeatedly compared to Sarah from the Bible, and Z. Mistry concludes that this is an attempt from Hincmar and Charles II to bless the Carolingian dynasty with more heirs through Ermentrude. This is because Sarah struggled to have children until she reaffirmed her faith, showing that fertility and dynastic survival was entwined with devout faith. Fittingly, Ermentrude had an interest in religious foundations and associations with several convents, including Chelles and Avenay.
Z. Mistry points out that Hincmar also developed an ideology for the behaviour of queens in his ordination and other works. He expected Ermentrude to be ‘loveable like Rachel, wise like Rebecca, loyal like Sarah.’ This list for how to be a good queen was common in Carolingian times, as Eriugena praised Ermentrude for her chastity, piety, and constant prayer, all virtues reminiscent of biblical women.
Additional information
Ermentrude had a gift for embroidery.
Issue
Ermentrude of Orléans and Charles II, also known as "The Bald", married in 842. Their children were:
- Judith (born c. 843, died ?), Queen of Wessex by her marriages with Kings Æthelwulf and Æthelbald, Countess of Flanders by her marriages with Margraves Baldwin I and Baldwin II
- Louis II of West Francia, also known as "The Stammerer" (846–879)
- Charles I of Aquitaine, also known as "The Child" (847–866)
- Lothar (848–865), monk in 861, became Abbot of Saint-Germain
- Carloman (849–876)
- Rotrud (852–912), a nun
- Ermentrud (854–877), a nun
- Hildegard (born 856, died ?)
- Gisela (857–874)
- Godehilde (864–907)
See also
In Spanish: Ermentrudis de Orleans para niños
