Himiltrude (fl. 700s)

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Himiltrude (fl. 700s)

Queen of the Franks and wife of Charlemagne. Name variations: Hamiltrude; Himiltude. Flourished in the 700s; became first wife of Charles I also known as Charlemagne, emperor of the West, king of the Franks (r. 768–814), Holy Roman emperor (r. 800–814), around 768; children: several, including Pepin the Hunchback (c. 769–810).

A poor Frenchwoman, Himiltrude was the first of Charlemagne's nine wives. Among others, she was followed by Hildegarde of Swabia (c. 757–783), Desiderata (d. 773), Fastrada (d. 794), and Luitgarde (d. 800). Writes L'Epine of Himiltrude in Croquemitaine, "Her coronet and her purple robes gave her an air of surpassing majesty."