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 Historiography is the study of the methods of historians in developing history as an academic discipline, and by extension is any body of historical work on a particular subject. The historiography of a specific topic covers how historians h ...

on queenship has created an image of a queen who a king's "helpmate" and provider of heirs. P.Stafford has examined queenship in a lot of depth, using Ermentrude's role in the Carolingian dynasty. They had power within the royal household and partially within the court. Their official duty was running the royal household smoothly, such as directing the children's education, supervising the staff and managing the private royal treasury. They unofficially acted as hostesses, ensuring the royal family was not involved in scandals and giving gifts to high-ranking officials in a society where this was important to maintain bonds. As a result, queens were expected to act as wise, loyal and chaste women. In particular, Ermentrude was described by a contemporary,

John Scotus Eriugena John Scotus Eriugena, also known as Johannes Scotus Erigena, John the Scot, or John the Irish-born ( – c. 877) was an Irish Neoplatonist philosopher, theologian and poet of the Early Middle Ages. Bertrand Russell dubbed him "the most ...

, as a 'strong woman' (''femina fortis''). 2 letters written in her name survive, a further 5 letters were addressed to her, and 12 charges issued by Charles II had her involved. In her free time, she showed a gift for

embroidery Embroidery is the craft of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle to apply thread or yarn. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as pearls, beads, quills, and sequins. In modern days, embroidery is usually seen ...

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 Sarah (born Sarai) is a biblical matriarch and prophetess, a major figure in Abrahamic religions. While different Abrahamic faiths portray her differently, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all depict her character similarly, as that of a pio ...

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. Jane Hyam, 'Ermentrude and Richildis', in ''Charles the Bald, Court and Kingdom'', ed. Margaret Gibson and Janet Nelson (London, 1981), 153. 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 Rachel () was a Biblical figure, the favorite of Jacob's two wives, and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, two of the twelve progenitors of the tribes of Israel. Rachel's father was Laban. Her older sister was Leah, Jacob's first wife. Her aun ...

, wise like

Rebecca Rebecca, ; Syriac: , ) from the Hebrew (lit., 'connection'), from Semitic root , 'to tie, couple or join', 'to secure', or 'to snare') () appears in the Hebrew Bible as the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau. According to biblical ...

, 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.

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 marriage with Margrave Baldwin I * 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)

References

Sources

* *Mistry, Zubin, ‘Ermentrude’s Consecration (866): Queen-making rites and biblical templates for Carolingian fertility’ ''Early Medieval Europe'' 27 (2019), pp. 567-588. * Nelson, Janet, ''Politics and Ritual in Early Medieval Europe'' (London, 1986). * Stafford, Paul, ''Queens, Concubines and Dowagers: The King’s Wife in the Early Middle Ages'' (London, 1983). *Stone, Rachel and West, Charles (eds.), ''Hincmar of Rheims: Life and Work'' (Manchester, 2015).

Queenship

Consecration

Issue

References

Sources

Further reading