Hildegard (queen)

Early Life

Hildegard was a Frankish queen who lived a long time ago, from around the year 757 or 758 until her death on April 30, 783. She married Charlemagne, one of the most famous rulers of the early Middle Ages, around the year 771.

Marriage to Charlemagne

Hildegard married Charlemagne and stayed his wife until she passed away. Their marriage lasted about eleven years. Together, they had nine children. Some of their children became important leaders, like Charles the Younger, Pepin of Italy, and Louis the Pious, who later became an emperor.

Hildegard’s life shows how women in those times could help their husbands govern big parts of Europe.

Life

Hildegard was born around 757 or 758 to a Frankish count named Gerold and his wife, Imma, a noblewoman from Alemannia. She married the Frankish king Charlemagne in 772, after the death of Charlemagne's brother Carloman I. As queen, Hildegard helped manage the royal household and often joined Charlemagne in important documents.

Hildegard and Charlemagne had nine children, including future kings Charles, Pepin of Italy, and Louis the Pious, as well as several daughters. They traveled together across their lands, supporting Charlemagne’s rule. Sadly, Hildegard passed away in 783. She was buried at the Abbey of Saint-Arnould in Metz.

Children

Hildegard and Charlemagne had nine children. Some of them became important leaders, like Charles the Younger, Carloman, renamed Pepin, Louis, and Pepin of Italy.

Other children were Adalhaid, who sadly passed away when young, and twins named Lothair and Louis. Some of Hildegard’s daughters, like Bertha and Rotrude, had children even though they never married.