Balthild of Paris

Saint Balthild of Paris (Bathilde), queen of the Franks, was born around 626 and reposed on 30 January 680 at Chelles, near Paris. She is venerated as a saint in the Western Church. In our record she is remembered on 26 January.

Tradition presents her as an Anglo-⁠Saxon of noble birth; her Life says that, as a young girl, she was sold into slavery and served in the household of Erchinoald, mayor of the palace of Neustria. King Clovis II noticed her and asked for her hand. She was beautiful, wise and humble, and as queen she remained known for her charity and donations. Through her help the abbeys of Corbie and Chelles were founded, and probably others. She supported Claudius of Besançon and his abbey in the Jura. She bore three sons, all of whom became kings: Clothar, Childeric and Theuderic.

After the death of Clovis (between 655 and 658) she ruled as regent for her son Clothar III. She banned the trade in Christian slaves and strove to ransom children sold into slavery; together with Saint Eligius she bought and freed slaves. After a power struggle with the mayor Ebroin, she withdrew to the abbey of Chelles, where she died and was buried. Her Life was written soon after her death, probably in the community of Chelles. Her official cult began in 833, when her remains were moved to a new church, in the time of Louis the Pious. According to our source she was canonized by Pope Nicholas I, about two hundred years after her death, so by a papal act of the Western Church.