Batilde, Saint

BATILDE, saint. - Queen of France, wife of Clodoveo II, she was the mother of Clotario, Childerico, and Teodorico (Thierry). Of Anglo-Saxon stock, abducted on the British coasts and sold as a slave in France by pirates, fortune brought her to court, where Clodoveo saw and married her. When her husband died prematurely, B. assumed the government, associating with herself her eldest son, Clotario. During her rule, the bishop of Paris, Crodoberto, Audoen (Ouen), bishop of Rouen, the abbot Genesio, and Leodegario, archdeacon of Poitiers and later bishop of Autun, exercised great influence. Upon the death of Sigeberto II, Austrasia was recovered

to the kingdom. In numerous religious foundations, B. left evidence of her piety and munificence. She fought with all her strength against simony, which was corrupting religious life. When Ebroino became mayor of the palace, desirous of assuming the guardianship of the boy king, B. was compelled to withdraw to the convent of Chelles, around 673. There she was an example of humility and faith until her death, which perhaps occurred on 30 January 680.

Her name is found added in various ancient codices of the Martyr. Hieronymianum under 30 January, while the Martyr. Romanum commemorates her on the 26th of the same month.