Global InformationBertachar information
Bertachar (or Berthachar) was a king of Thuringia from about 510 until about 525, co-ruling with his brothers Hermanfrid and Baderic.[1][2]
Bertachar was probably not a Thuringian himself.[3] Frankish sources, such as Venantius Fortunatus, make the three brothers sons of King Bisinus. They are sometimes considered as sons of Bisinus' wife Menia,[1] or else as sons of Basina, who is called a wife of Bisinus by the Frankish historian Gregory of Tours.[4] Many scholars, however, reject Bisinus' marriage to Basina as ahistorical, leaving Menia as his only known wife.[5]
Bertachar's rule probably began between 507 and 511. He was murdered by his brother Hermanfrid, who later murdered Baderic to become sole ruler of Thuringia.[6] This assassination may have taken place as early as 525.[7]
Bertachar had at least one daughter and, depending on the source, one or several sons. His sons are unnamed.[8] His daughter, Radegund, married the Frankish king Chlothar I and founded Holy Cross Abbey in Poitiers. She is revered as a saint in the Catholic Church. Two hagiographies of her were produced by her friends Baudovinia and Venantius Fortunatus.[9][10] Fortunatus specifies that she was "from the Thuringian region", a daughter of King Bertachar and a granddaughter of King Bisinus.[11]
- ^ a b Jarnut 2009, p. 288, contains a family tree.
- ^ Martindale 1980, pp. 1336, contains a family tree.
- ^ Neumeister 2014, p. 91.
- ^ Mladjov 2014.
- ^ Hartmann 2009, p. 13.
- ^ Martindale 1980, pp. 225–226, s.v. "Berthacharius".
- ^ Burns 1984, p. 95.
- ^ Neumeister 2014, p. 90.
- ^ Halsall 2001, p. 125.
- ^ Jarnut 2009, pp. 283–84.
- ^ Fortunatus, p. 365: Beatissima igitur Radegundis natione barbara de regione Thoringa, avo rege Bessino, patruo Hermenfredo, patre rege Bertechario.