Balthild

Saint Balthild
A mediaeval depiction of Bathild
Born	626 or 627
Died	January 30, 680(680-01-30)
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church
Canonized	c. 880 by Pope Nicholas I
Major shrine	Abbey of Chelles outside of Paris
Feast	The Roman martyrology says her feast day is January 26; France celebrates it January 30.

Böðvildr Saint Balthild of Ascania (/ˈbɔːltɪld/ BAWL-tild; Old English: Bealdhild, 'bold sword' or 'bold spear; around 626 – January 30, 680), also called Bathilda, Baudour, or Bauthieult, was queen consort of Burgundy and Neustria by marriage to Clovis II, the king of Burgundy and Neustria (639–658), and regent during the minority of her son. Her hagiography was intended to further her successful candidature for sainthood.

Tradition represents her as an Anglo-Saxon who was originally of elite birth, perhaps a relative of Ricberht of East Anglia, the last pagan king of East Anglia, although Pierre Fournet regards this as doubtful. Ricberht was ousted by Sigeberht, who had spent time as an exile in the Frankish court, during which he had been converted to Christianity. Sigeberht was established as the rightful heir to the throne with Frankish help. Balthild was sold into slavery as a young girl and served in the household of Erchinoald, the mayor of the palace of Neustria to Clovis.