When Charlemagne sent his young son Pepin to Italy as King of the Lombards Angilbert went along as primicerius palatii, a high administrator of the satellite court. On a number of occasions he served as envoy to the popes. |
When Charlemagne sent his young son Pepin to Italy as King of the Lombards Angilbert went along as primicerius palatii, a high administrator of the satellite court. Angilbert delivered the document on Iconoclasm from the Frankish Synod of Frankfurt to Pope Adrian I, and served as envoy to the popes on a number of other occasions. |
Angilbert's relationship with Bertha was evidently recognized - if she were not the daughter of the King historians might refer to her as his concubine. They had at least 2 sons, one of whom, Nithard?, became a notable figure in the mid-9th century. |
Angilbert's non-sacramental relationship with Bertha was evidently recognized by the court - if she had not been the daughter of the King historians might refer to her as his concubine. They had at least 2 sons, one of whom, Nithard?, became a notable figure in the mid-9th century. Control of marriage and the meanings of legitimacy were hotly contested in the Middle Ages. Bertha and Angilbert are an example of how resistance to the idea of a sacramental marriage could coincide with holding church offices. |