Bertoald

Bertoald (also Berthoald ) († December 25, 604 ) was house manager of the partial kingdom of Burgundy from around 600 to Christmas 604. According to the chronicler Fredegar , he was moderate, sensitive, brave and honorable.

In 604, Theuderich II followed the advice of his grandmother Brunhilde to send Bertoald on an inspection tour of the Burgundian Villae along the Seine . It was an intrigue of Brunhilde who hoped for the death of Bertoald in order to bring her favorite Protadius into the office of housekeeper. Bertoald only had three hundred men with him on his mission. On his journey he also wanted to hunt in the forest of Arèle when he was surprised there by an army of Chlothar II , which was led by his son Merowech and the Neustrian clerk Landerich . Bertoald was able to flee to Orléans .

There he was besieged and received relief from his king, who drove up the Neustrian troops at the Battle of Etampes . In this battle, after an apparently brave fight, Bertoald lost his life and Protadius was his successor.