Bertrada of Laon

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Bertrada of Laon, also called Bertha with the big feet, (720 – July 12, 783) was a Frankish queen. She was born in Laon, in today's Aisne, France, the daughter of Caribert of Laon and Bertrade of Cologne. She married Pippin III (Pippin the Short) in 740. Of her children with Pippin, two sons and one daughter survived to adulthood; Charles (Charlemagne) and Carloman, and Gisela. Charlemagne and Carloman inherited the two halves of their father's kingdom when he died, and Gisela became a nun.

Bertrada lived at the court of her elder son Charles, and according to Einhard their relationship was exellent. She recommended he marry his first wife, a daughter of the Lombard king Desiderius whose name was possibly Gerperga, but he soon divorced her. Einhard claims this was the only episode that ever strained relations between mother and son. Bertrada lived with Charlemagne until her death in 783; the king buried her in Saint Denis Basilica with great honors.

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