Michael Matthew Groat PhD's Genealogical Database
Individuals: 97,713 Families: 61,838
Gedcom Last Modified: December 14, 2025 00:59:10
Suanachildis
- Preferred Name: Suanachildis [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
- Alternate Name: Swanachild; Swanhild; Sunhild
- Alternate Name: Suanhilde
- Alternate Name: Swanchilda of Bavaria
- Alternate Name: Suanahild de Bavière
- Alternate Name: Swanachild Swanhild Sunhild
- Alternate Name: Swannhilde neptem Odilonis ducis Baioariorum
- Gender: F
- Birth: ABT 705 in Baiern, Ebersberg, Bavaria, Germany at LATI: N7.9622 LONG: E1.9122
- Clan Name: with note: Description: House of Agilolfings
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swanachild
- Burial: in Chelles, Île-de-France, France at LATI: N8.88 LONG: E0.5965
- Death: 22 OCT 741 in Chelles, Seine-et-Marne, Île-de-France, France at LATI: N8.88 LONG: E0.5965
- MilitaryService: Charles Martel marched against Bavaria and carried off Biltrude and Swanachild, killing Grimoald in battle.725
- FSID: MHT4-H4R
- Notes:
=== Life Sketch ===
Charles "Martel" & his second wife had one child:
6. GRIFO ([726]-killed in battle Saint Jean de Maurienne 753). Einhard names "Karlomannum…et Pippinum atque Grifonem" as the three sons of "Karlus maior domus" when recording the latter's death, specifying that "Grifo…minor natu…matrem habuit Swannhilde neptem Odilonis ducis Baioariorum"[233]. The Genealogica Arnulfi Comitis names (in order) "Pipinum, Karlomannum, Griphonem et Bernardum" sons of "Karolus senior…ex regina"[234]. "Karlus maiorum domus filius Pippini quondam" donated property "villa Clippiacum in pago Parisiaco" to the abbey of Saint-Denis by charter dated 17 Sep 741, subscribed by "Radberti comitis, Raygaubaldi comitis, Salaconis comitis, matrone Sonechildis, Grifonis filii sui"[235]. His father bequeathed to Grifo the central part of his territory, but his stepbrothers Carloman and Pépin deprived him of this inheritance and divided the land between themselves. Einhard records that his mother incited Grifo to rebel against his half-brothers, during the course of which Carloman imprisoned Grifo "in Novo-castello...juxta Arduennam", adding that it was said that Grifo remained imprisoned there until Carloman left for Rome (dated to late 747, see below)[236]. The Royal Frankish Annals also record that Grifo rebelled, incited by his mother, but was defeated at Laon and imprisoned by Carloman at Neufchâtel in the Ardennes[237]. He was released in 747 by his brother Pépin and fled to Saxony, where he raised an army although armed conflict was avoided[238]. The Annalium Petavianorum Continuatio records that “Grippo” fled “in Saxoniam” in 748 and returned from exile in 749[239]. He invaded Bavaria where he was recognised as duke in 748 in succession to Duke Odilo, but was deposed by Pépin who installed their nephew Tassilo III as duke. Comte [duc?] du Mans [748/49]: according to the Royal Frankish Annals, in 748 Pépin granted Grifo the duchy of Mans and twelve counties in Neustria, although the source does not identify these counties more precisely[240]. The Annales Mettenses also record that Pepin granted “Cinomannicum urbem cum duodecim comitatibus” to “Gripponi”, adding that he fled to Gascony “ad Waifarium ducem perfidem Aquitaniorum”[241]. The Continuator of Fredegar records that in 748 "germanus ipsius rege…Gripho" fled once more and allied himself with Waifar Duke of the Aquitanians[242]. Grifo rebelled yet again, in alliance with the Bretons. He fled to Lombardy to join Aistulf King of the Lombards but was caught and killed while he was passing the Alps by "Theudoeno comite Viennense…et Frederico Ultraiurano comite"[243], two of Pépin's supporters. His escape to Italy, capture and death at the hands of "Theodoino comite in valle Maurienna" is also recorded in the Annales Laurissenses[244]. m ---. The name of Grifo's wife is not known. Grifo & his wife had [two possible] children:
https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/FRANKSMaiordomi.htm#_ftnref247
m secondly (725) SUANACHILDIS [Suanhilde], niece of ODILO Duke of Bavaria, daughter of --- (-after 17 Sep 741). The precise parentage of Suanachildis is not known. The Continuator of Fredegar records that "matrona quondam…Beletrude et nepta sua Sunnichilde" were captured and taken to Austrasia by Charles "Martel" in [724/25][201]. Einhard names "Swannhilde neptem Odilonis ducis Baioariorum" as the mother of Grifo[202]. The precise relationship between Suanhilde and Pilitrude, who was the wife in turn of the brothers Grimoald and Theodoald, has not been identified. She instigated the marriage of her stepdaughter to Odilo Duke of Bavaria according to the Continuator of Fredegar[203]. Einhard records that, after the death of her husband, she incited her son to rebel against her stepsons[204]. She was defeated and sent to the monastery of Chelles, Seine-et-Marne. "Karlus maiorum domus filius Pippini quondam" donated property "villa Clippiacum in pago Parisiaco" to the abbey of St Denis by charter dated 17 Sep 741, subscribed by "Radberti comitis, Raygaubaldi comitis, Salaconis comitis, matrone Sonechildis, Grifonis filii sui"[205].
Einzige Tochter des Herzogs Tassilo II. von Bayern und der Imma; Nichte der Herzogin Pilitrud
und der BrüderOdilo, Landfried und Theutbald ( Alamannische Herzöge )
lE. Hlawitschka, Die Vorfahren Karls des Großen (Braunfels, Karl der Große I) – J. Jarnut, Untersuchungen zur Herkunft S.s, der Gattin Karl Martells, ZBLG 40,1977, 245-249 – J. Jahn, Hausmeier und Herzöge ... (Karl Martell in seiner Zeit, hg. J. Jarnut, U. Nonn, M. Richter),1994,317-344.
Swanachild (Duchess Rotrude) - Find-a-grave
Frankish nobility. Also known as Suanachildis or Suanhilde. Her exact parentage is not known, but it seems her uncle was Duke Odilo of Bavaria. When Charles Martel invaded Bavaria in 725 she was captu
Odilo family PID list
unknown GXY4-7JN
.....Odilo 9Z4Y-C1F
.....+Chitrudis LH1Q-G5X
..........Tassilo KV28-C3D
.....unknown GX22-JYT
..........Suannachildis MHT4-H4R
=== BETHAMIS GENEALOGICAL TABLES (GS NUMBER ===
BETHAMIS GENEALOGICAL TABLES (GS NUMBER Q929.2 B465G) TAB 253, 405; SORLEY'S PEDIGREES (GS NUMBER Q929.242 SO68) P.11; THE PLANTAGENET ANCESTRY (GS NUMBER Q940 D2T) P.171; ANCESTRAL FILE, LDS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY;
=== ?? Line 1117: (New PAF RIN=17059)
1 NAME ===
?? Line 1117: (New PAF RIN=17059)
1 NAME Sonichilde (Sunihilde, Swanhilde) Of /AUSTRASIA/
=== 1 _FA6 2 PLAC [DUCHESS OF AUSTRASIA] F ===
1 _FA6 2 PLAC [DUCHESS OF AUSTRASIA] From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.
=== Ancestral File Number: 9GCB-85 !"Ro ===
Ancestral File Number: 9GCB-85 !"Royal Ancestord" by Michel Call, 1989, Chart # 11602.
=== Duchess of Nanks; Duchess of Austrasia. ===
Duchess of Nanks; Duchess of Austrasia.
=== [Greene.FTW] [INDIV2.DAT] Her name may ===
[Greene.FTW] [INDIV2.DAT] Her name may have been spelled "Sonichilde, Swanahilde, Suanhilde" Source: Royals.GED (Compuserve)
=== !NAME:11615-2.ftw, 11615-2.ftw !BIRTH:W ===
!NAME:11615-2.ftw, 11615-2.ftw !BIRTH:World Family Tree Vol. 2, Ed. 1, World Family Tree V ol. 2, Ed. 1, Brøderbund Software, Inc., Release date: Nove mber 29, 1995 !BIRTH:Ftwexprt.ged, Ftwexprt.ged !DEATH:World Family Tree Vol. 2, Ed. 1, World Family Tree V ol. 2, Ed. 1, Brøderbund Software, Inc., Release date: Nove mber 29, 1995 !DEATH:Ftwexprt.ged, Ftwexprt.ged
=== !SOURCE: THE LIVES OF THE KINGS AND QUE ===
!SOURCE: THE LIVES OF THE KINGS AND QUEENS OF FRANCE, PG 33; A CONCUBINE OF CHARLES MARTEL
=== Sources: A. Roots 191; AF. Roots: She wa ===
Sources: A. Roots 191; AF. Roots: She was a Bavarian.
=== !http://mariah.stonemarche.org/famfiles ===
!http://mariah.stonemarche.org/famfiles gives her birth and death dates as the same as her husband Charles Martel
=== !TITLE: Also carried the title of DUCHE ===
!TITLE: Also carried the title of DUCHESS OF AUSTRASIA
=== M L Call: Cht 11602 A Wagner: Pedigree ===
M L Call: Cht 11602 A Wagner: Pedigree and Progress Ped 30 Gives different set of parents for Swanahild W H Turton: The Plantagenet Ancestry P. 8
=== Ancestry is conjecture by Stewart Baldw ===
Ancestry is conjecture by Stewart Baldwin ,sbald@auburn.cam pus.mci.net
=== !Brown book 5, P C 225. ===
!Brown book 5, P C 225.
=== 1 _UID 54356B7E9103D611828100606E3BD45C ===
1 _UID 54356B7E9103D611828100606E3BD45C2961
=== 1 _UID 4D356B7E9103D611828100606E3BD45C ===
1 _UID 4D356B7E9103D611828100606E3BD45C22F1
=== Ancestral File Number: 8HS9-XT ===
Ancestral File Number: 8HS9-XT
=== [NancyAnnNorman1034016.FTW]
Sources: A. ===
[NancyAnnNorman1034016.FTW]
Sources: A. Roots 191; AF. Roots: She was a Bavarian.
=== From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 J ===
From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996. From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996. From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996. From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996. From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.
=== of Baravia ===
of Baravia
=== !Name: Swanhilda Belgium !Royal Ancestor ===
!Name: Swanhilda Belgium !Royal Ancestors of Some American Families by Michel Call SLC 1989 #602;
=== Alt Name: Sunnichild (Suanhilde) ===
Alt Name: Sunnichild (Suanhilde)
=== chil. known ===
chil. known
=== TITLES: Duchess of Nanks.
KINSHIP: Niece ===
TITLES: Duchess of Nanks.KINSHIP: Niece of Odilo Duke of Bavaria. Source: Author: Sirjean, Gaston Title: Encyclopédie généalogique des maisons souveraines du monde Call Number: FHL book 944 D5se Publication Information: Paris: Gaston Sirjean, 1959-1966 Citation: Page: vol. 1 pt. 1 p. 38
=== TITLES: Duchess of Nanks.
KINSHIP: Niece ===
TITLES: Duchess of Nanks.
KINSHIP: Niece of Odilo Duke of Bavaria.
Source:
Author: Sirjean, Gaston
Title: Encyclopédie généalogique des maisons souveraines du monde
Call Number: FHL book 944 D5se
Publication Information: Paris: Gaston Sirjean, 1959-1966
Citation:
Page: vol. 1 pt. 1 p. 38
=== Information provided by Rick Reagan Ric ===
Information provided by Rick Reagan Rickape@peoplepc.com
=== A Bavarian ===
A Bavarian
=== 2nd wife ===
2nd wife
=== ! Source is from Albert F. Schmuhl, Salt ===
! Source is from Albert F. Schmuhl, Salt Lake City, Utah. !"Our Plafs Roots Are True" A Genealogy of Kochert and Nieb Families, by Ethel Clift Philips, Published 1983. The information in the book is derived from church records of Rumbach and Family records. !Source is from "Neuhart Nobility", by Dennis Allen Kastens -1997 page 208.
Family 1: Karl 'Martel’ Maior Domus von Neustria und Austrasia, b. 23 AUG 688 in Herstal, Lieja, Bélgica d. 22 OCT 741 in Quierzy, Aisne, Hauts-de-France, Francia
Sources:
- Title: Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
Publication: Name: https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/FRANKSMaiordomi.htm#_ftnref198;
Note: m firstly CHROTHRUDIS, daughter of --- ([690]-725). The Annales Laureshamenses record the death in 724 of "Hortrudis"[197]. The Annales Mosellani record the death in 725 of "Chrothrud"[198]. Settipani quotes a name list in the Liber confraternitatum augiensis which reads in part "Karolus maior domus, Pippin rex…Karolus imperator…Ruadtrud, Ruadheid, Svanahild regina, Bertha regina, Hiltikart regina, Fastrat regina, Liutkart regina…"[199]. He makes the obvious links between "Karolus maior domus…Svanahild regina", "Pippin rex…Bertha regina" and "Karolus imperator…Hiltikart regina, Fastrat regina, Liutkart regina", deducing that "Ruadtrud, Ruadheid" must also be linked logically to "Karolus maior domus" because of the order in which the names are listed. The Annales Petaviani record the death in 725 of "Chrotrudis" but do not specify that she was Charles’s wife[200]. The primary source which specifically names the first wife of Charles "Martel" has not been identified.
- Title: Suannachildis - Medlands - FMG
Author: m secondly (725) SUANACHILDIS [Suanhilde], niece of ODILO Duke of Bavaria, daughter of --- (-after 17 Sep 741). The precise parentage of Suanachildis is not known. The Continuator of Fredegar records that "matrona quondam…Beletrude et nepta sua Sunnichilde" were captured and taken to Austrasia by Charles "Martel" in [724/25][201]. Einhard names "Swannhilde neptem Odilonis ducis Baioariorum" as the mother of Grifo[202]. The precise relationship between Suanhilde and Pilitrude, who was the wife in turn of the brothers Grimoald and Theodoald, has not been identified. She instigated the marriage of her stepdaughter to Odilo Duke of Bavaria according to the Continuator of Fredegar[203]. Einhard records that, after the death of her husband, she incited her son to rebel against her stepsons[204]. She was defeated and sent to the monastery of Chelles, Seine-et-Marne. "Karlus maiorum domus filius Pippini quondam" donated property "villa Clippiacum in pago Parisiaco" to the abbey of St D
Publication: Name: https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/FRANKSMaiordomi.htm#_ftnref198;
- Title: Grifo From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grifo;
Note: Grifo (726–753) was the son of the Frankish major domo Charles Martel and his second wife Swanahild.
After the death of Charles Martel, power may well have been intended to be divided among Grifo and his half-brothers Pepin the Younger (Pepin the Short) and Carloman. Grifo, considered illegitimate by Pepin and Carloman, was besieged in Laon by his half-brothers, captured, and imprisoned in a monastery.
On his escape in 747, his maternal great-uncle Duke Odilo of Bavaria provided support and assistance to Grifo, but when Odilo died a year later and Grifo attempted to seize the duchy of Bavaria for himself, Pepin, who had become sole major domo of the Frankish (Merovingian) Empire upon Carloman's resignation and retreat into a monastery, took decisive action by invading Bavaria and installing Odilo's infant son, Tassilo III, as duke under Frankish overlordship. Grifo continued his rebellion, but was eventually killed in the battle of Saint-Jean de Maurienne in 753, while Pepin became king of the Franks as Pepin III in 751.
Page: her son
- Title: Charles Martel From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Martel;
Note: Charles Martel (c. 688[2] – 22 October 741) was a Frankish statesman and military leader who, as Duke and Prince of the Franks and Mayor of the Palace, was the de facto ruler of Francia from 718 until his death.[3][4][5] He was a son of the Frankish statesman Pepin of Herstal and Pepin's mistress, a noblewoman named Alpaida.[6] Charles successfully asserted his claims to power as successor to his father as the power behind the throne in Frankish politics. Continuing and building on his father's work, he restored centralized government in Francia and began the series of military campaigns that re-established the Franks as the undisputed masters of all Gaul. According to a near-contemporary source, the Liber Historiae Francorum, Charles was "a warrior who was uncommonly [...] effective in battle".[7] Much attention has been paid to his success in defeating an Arab invasion in Aquitaine at the Battle of Tours. Alongside his military endeavours, Charles has been traditionally credited with a seminal role in the development of the Frankish system of feudalism.[8]
At the end of his reign, Charles divided Francia between his sons, Carloman and Pepin. The latter became the first king of the Carolingian dynasty. Charles' grandson, Charlemagne, extended the Frankish realms, and became the first emperor in the West since the fall of Rome.
Charles, nicknamed "Martel", or "Charles the Hammer", in later chronicles, was the son of Pepin of Herstal and his second wife Alpaida. He had a brother named Childebrand, who later became the Frankish dux (that is, duke) of Burgundy.
In older historiography, it was common to describe Charles as "illegitimate". But the dividing line between wives and concubines was not clear-cut in eighth-century Francia, and it is likely that the accusation of "illegitimacy" derives from the desire of Pepin's first wife Plectrude to see her progeny as heirs to Pepin's power.[10][11]
After the reign of Dagobert I (629–639) the Merovingians effectively ceded power to the Pippinid Mayors of the Palace, who ruled the Frankish realm of Austrasia in all but name. They controlled the royal treasury, dispensed patronage, and granted land and privileges in the name of the figurehead king. Charles' father, Pepin of Herstal, was able to unite the Frankish realm by conquering Neustria and Burgundy. He was the first to call himself Duke and Prince of the Franks, a title later taken up by Charles.
In December 714, Pepin of Herstal died.[12] Prior to his death, he had, at his wife Plectrude's urging, designated Theudoald, his grandson by their late son Grimoald, his heir in the entire realm. This was immediately opposed by the nobles because Theudoald was a child of only eight years of age. To prevent Charles using this unrest to his own advantage, Plectrude had him imprisoned in Cologne, the city which was intended to be her capital. This prevented an uprising on his behalf in Austrasia, but not in Neustria.
Pepin's death occasioned open conflict between his heirs and the Neustrian nobles who sought political independence from Austrasian control. In 715, Dagobert III named Ragenfrid mayor of their palace, effectively declaring political independence. On 26 September 715, Ragenfrid's Neustrians met the young Theudoald's forces at the Battle of Compiegne. Theudoald was defeated and fled back to Cologne. Before the end of the year, Charles Martel had escaped from prison and been acclaimed mayor by the nobles of Austrasia.[12] That same year, Dagobert III died and the Neustrians proclaimed Chilperic II, the cloistered son of Childeric II, as king.
Throughout 716 Charles Martel battled with Plectrude, on 21 March 717 they met near Cambrai at the Battle of Vincy. Martel, victorious, took the city of Cologne and dispersed her adherents. Plectrude was allowed to retire to a convent; Theudoald lived to 741 under his uncle's protection, a kindness unusual for those times, when mercy to a former gaoler, or a potential rival, was rare.
.../ /... (much information about his battles and rise to power)
Charles Martel married twice, his first wife being Rotrude of Treves, daughter either of Lambert II, Count of Hesbaye, or of Leudwinus, Count of Treves. They had the following children:
Hiltrud,
Carloman,[22]:50
Landrade, also rendered Landres,
Auda, also called Aldana or Alane, and
Pepin the Short, also called Pippin,[22]:50
Most of the children married and had issue. Hiltrud married Odilo I (a Duke of Bavaria). Landrade was once believed to have married a Sigrand (Count of Hesbania) but Sigrand's wife was more likely the sister of Rotrude. Auda married Thierry IV (a Count of Autun and Toulouse). Charles also married a second time, to Swanhild, and they had a child, Grifo.[22]:50
Finally, Charles Martel also had a known mistress, Ruodhaid, with whom he had children Bernard, Hieronymus, and Remigius. Remigius became an archbishop of Rouen.
Charles Martel died on 22 October 741, at Quierzy-sur-Oise in what is today the Aisne département in the Picardy region of France. He was buried at Saint Denis Basilica in Paris.[21]
His territories had been divided among his adult sons a year earlier: to Carloman he gave Austrasia, Alemannia, and Thuringia, and to Pippin the Younger Neustria, Burgundy, Provence, and Metz and Trier in the "Mosel duchy"; Grifo was given several lands throughout the kingdom, but at a later date, just before Charles died.
At the beginning of Charles Martel's career, he had many internal opponents and felt the need to appoint his own kingly claimant, Chlotar IV. By his end, however, the dynamics of rulership in Francia had changed, and no hallowed Merovingian ruler was required. Charles divided his realm between his sons without opposition (though he ignored his young son Bernard). For many historians, Charles Martel laid the foundations for his son Pepin's rise to the Frankish throne in 751, and his grandson Charlemagne's imperial acclamation in 800. However, for Paul Fouracre, while Charles was "the most effective military leader in Francia", his career "finished on a note of unfinished business"
Page: her husband
- Title: Swanachilde (Swanhild) Hofmeier van Het Frankische Rijk (born Of The Bavarians
Publication: Name: https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-1-315951581-3-10049/swanachilde-swanhild-hofmeier-van-het-frankische-rijk-geboren-of-the-in-myheritage-family-trees?fspid=GHHN-T3D;
- Title: Swanachild From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swanachild;
Note: Swanachild (also Swanahild or Serenahilt) was the second wife of Charles Martel, who brought her back from his first campaign in Bavaria in 725, along with her uncle Grimoald's wife, Biltrude. Swanachild belonged to the clan of the Agilolfings though her parentage is not quite clear. Her parents could be:
Tassilo II, duke of Bavaria, and his wife Imma
Theodbert, duke of Bavaria and his wife Regintrud
With Charles Martel she had one child, Grifo. After the death of Charles, she supported her son's failed attempt to gain a portion of his inheritance. This she did with the support of her uncle Odilo of Bavaria. Afterwards she was relegated to the position of abbess of Chelles. Although later Carolingian historians cast her as a concubine, she was during her time the rightful wife of Charles. The Reichenau Codex listed her as Suanahil regina, "Queen Swanachild."
Sources
Lexikon des Mittelalters (in German)
Medieval Lands Project on Suanachildis
- Title: Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-Current
Publication: Name: http://search.ancestry.com/collections/9289/records/22711948;
- Title: Prinses Swanhilde Der Franken (born van Beieren)
Publication: Name: https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-1-48726051-1-3786/prinses-swanhilde-der-franken-geboren-van-beieren-in-myheritage-family-trees?fspid=GH7K-TM7;
- Title: Ancestry Family Trees
Author: Ancestry Family Tree
- Title: Swanachilde of the Bavarians
Publication: Name: https://www.geni.com/people/Swanachilde-of-the-Bavarians/6000000007160176211?through=6000000016472903799;
Master Index
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