Bertrada of Laon, also known as Bertrada the Younger or Bertrada Broadfoot, was born around 720 and died on July 12, 783. She was a significant figure in the Carolingian Dynasty, playing a pivotal role in the political and familial alliances of her time.
Bertrada was the daughter of Charibert of Laon, Count of Laon, and his wife, Gisele of Laon. Her family was of noble Frankish origin, with connections to both the Merovingian and Carolingian courts.
In 740, Bertrada married Pepin the Short, who would later become King of the Franks. This marriage was strategic, aimed at consolidating Pepin's power through alliances with influential families. Pepin and Bertrada had:
Bertrada was known for her political acumen. She was instrumental in negotiating peace between her sons, Charlemagne and Carloman, after Pepin's death in 768. Her influence extended to:
After Pepin's death, Bertrada retired to the Abbey of Chelles, where her daughter Gisela was an abbess. She spent her later years in religious devotion and died there in 783. Her tomb can still be seen in the abbey.
Bertrada's influence on the Carolingian Empire was profound: