Partner Unknown

BERNARD, illegitimate son of CHARLES "Martel" & his mistress Chrothais --- (before 732-787).

The Genealogica Arnulfi Comitis names (in order) "Pipinum, Karlomannum, Griphonem et Bernardum" as sons of "Karolus senior… ex regina".

Bernard's relationship to the Carolingian kings is confirmed by Einhard's Annales which name "Walanem filium Bernhardi patruelis sui" when recording that he was sent to Italy in 812 as guardian for "Bernhardum filium Pippin nepotem suum [Karoli imperatoris]".

The Royal Frankish Annals record that Charles I King of the Franks sent Bernard to lead part of his army to Italy, through the Great St Bernard Pass, in response to the Pope's call for help against the Lombards in 773[12]. The Chronicon Moissiacensis records that “Bernardum avunculum suum” (referring to King Charles) led part of the army “per Jovis-montem in Italia”, in 770 but dated to 773. The Annales Moselleni record the death in 787 of "Remigius et Bernehardus".

m firstly ---. Settipani states that the first wife of Bernard was of Frankish origin but does not cite the source on which this is based[15].

m secondly ---. Settipani states that the second wife of Bernard was of Saxon origin but does not cite the source on which this is based[16].

Bernard & his first wife had one child:

1. ADALHARD [I] ([752]-2 Jan 826). The Vita Adalhardi refers to "quinque…viri propagati…maior natu senex noster sanctissimus", referring to Adalhard, recording in an earlier passage that he entered holy orders at the age of 20[17]. Although the passage does not name Adalhard's father, it names his younger brother "Wala" whose father is named in Einhard's Annales which record "Walach comes filius Bernhardi"[18]. The Annales Laurissenses record that King Charles came to "Corbonaeum villam" in 771 with "Wilcharius archiepiscopus et Folradus capellanus…Warinus et Adalhardus comites"[19]. Although it is not certain that this "Adalhardus" was the son of Bernard or a different person, no reference to another contemporary of the same name has so far been found. Abbé de Corbie 781. A Capitulum of Charles I King of the Franks dated Jun 800 names "Adalardo comiti palatio nostri"[20]. "Comiti Hadalhardus, Fulradus, Unrocus seu Hrocculfus" are named as imperial missi in a document of Emperor Charlemagne dated 806[21]. Adalhard was tutor of Pepin King of Italy, son of Charlemagne, and was appointed regent for Pepin's son Bernard King of Italy in 813[22]. He was exiled to Noirmoutier after the death of Charlemagne in 814, but returned to favour in 821. Einhard's Annales record that "Adalhardum quoque de Aquitania" was appointed "Corbeiæ monasterio abbatem" in 821[23]. The primary source which records the date of death of Adalhard has not yet been identified.

Bernard & his second wife had [five] children:

2. WALO [Walacho] ([772/73]-Bobbio 31 Aug 836). Einhard's Annales record "Walach comes filius Bernhardi" as one of the signatories of peace with the Vikings in 811[24]. The Vita Adalhardi refers to "quinque…viri propagati…maior natu senex noster sanctissimus…", referring to Adalhard, "…deinde Wala…"[25]. There does not appear to be any direct proof that Walo was born from his father's second marriage, other than the indirect indication from the twenty year difference between the estimated birth dates of Walo and Adalhard [I]. A list of Saxons in Ostphalia dated Jan/Feb 802 records that "Fredegarium filium Wicharii habuit Walah", presumably indicating that the last named had responsibility for the allegiance sworn to the emperor by the first-named[26]. Assuming that this refers to Walo son of Bernard, it shows that he bore the title count only after this date, as the source specifies the titles in the case of many other individuals who are named. The Translatio Sancti Viti names "Walonem" as "frater prioris Adalhardi"[27]. Governor of Saxony. Einhard names "Walacho comes" as one of the 15 witnesses of the testament of Emperor Charlemagne dated 811[28]. Einhard's Annales record that "Walanem filium Bernhardi patruelis sui" was sent to Italy in 812 as guardian for "Bernhardum filium Pippin nepotem suum [Karoli imperatoris]"[29]. The Vita Hludowici Imperatoris names "Walam et Warnarium, necnon et Lambertum sed et Ingobertum" as missi [in 813], recording that "Warnarius comes…accito nepote Lantberto" acted without the knowledge of "Wala et Ingelberto"[30]. Walo became a monk in [814/15] following the death of Emperor Charlemagne. Einhard's Annales record that Emperor Louis I sent "Walahum monachum propinquum suum [imperatoris] fratrem…Adalhardi abbatis" to Italy in 822 with "Hlotharius…filium suum"[31]. Abbé de Corbie 826-836, in succession to his brother. He became abbot of Bobbio in Italy in 836. The Vita Hludowici Imperatoris records that "Wala Corbeiensis abbas, Matfridus, Hugo, Lantbertus, Godefridus, itemque filius eius Godefridus, Agimbertus comes Pertensis…sed et Richardus" died between "Kal Sep usque ad missam sancti Martini" [in 836][32]. m ---. No explicit reference to the wife of Walo has so far been found in primary sources. However, the Vita Wala names "sceleratus Naso…Amisarius" when recording Walo's exploits in Spain, states that Walo married "sororem ipsius, filiam nobilissimi viri…", and adds that her brother was blinded[33]. Settipani cites sources which, from these references, identify Walo's wife as the sister of Bernard Marquis de Septimanie and Heribert (who was blinded) and therefore daughter of St Guillaume Comte de Toulouse. Assuming that this identification is correct, of the possible candidates Settipani eliminates Helmburgis from the known daughters of Guillaume, suggesting that she died young, as well as Gerberga, who was murdered in 834 at Chalon by allies of Walo, which leaves Chrodlindis [Rothlindis], daughter of [St] Guillaume Comte de Toulouse, as the only possibility[34]. The link is credible but is not without doubt, particularly because of the uncertainties about the parentage of Heribert which are discussed below. Walo & his wife had one child:

a) BERTRUDIS (-13 Aug

3. GUNDRADA . The Vita Adalhardi names "quibus…soror [eius] Gundrada", this text following the paragraph which records "quinque…viri propagati…"[36]. According to Settipani, Gundrada became a nun in 814 but he does not cite the primary source on which this is based[37].

4. BERNHAR ([776]-after 821). Bernhar is named as brother of Adalhard in the Royal Frankish Annals[38]. The Vita Adalhardi refers to "reliqui…duo…Bernarius noster…et Theodrada soror eius", this text following the paragraph which records "quinque…viri propagati…"[39]. Monk at Corbie 801. He lived in exile with his brother Walo in 821, but was recalled and restored to Corbie[40]. Einhard's Annales record that "Adalhardum quoque de Aquitania" was appointed "Corbeiæ monasterio abbatem" in 821 and that "Bernharium frater eius" returned to the monastery at the same time[41].

5. THEODERADA . The De Sancto Ratberto Abbate Corbeiensi names "Thedradam apud Sanctam Mariam Suessionis abbatissam…Adalardi et Wale sororem"[42]. The Vita Adalhardi names "Bernarius…et Theodrada soror eius", this text following the paragraph which records "quinque…viri propagate…"[43]. According to Settipani, Theodrada became a nun in 814 but he does not cite the primary source on which this is based[44]. Abbess of Sainte-Marie de Soissons. m ---. The name of Theoderada's husband is not known.

a) IMMA . Settipani names Imma as daughter of Theoderada, recording that she succeeded her mother as abbess of Sainte-Marie de Soissons, but does not cite the source on which this is based[45].

6. [IDA . The Vita Sancti Idæ names Ida as only daughter of an unnamed count[46], the Introduction to the MGH SS edition citing "annalibus Corbeiensibus in bibliotheca Regia" which name Ida as "Adalhard et Walæ soror, uxor Egberti quem Brunonis Angrariorum principis filium fuisse", commenting that she died aged 100[47]. She is not named as the sister of Adalhard in the Vita Adalhardi. m EKBERT, son of BRUNO & his wife ---.]