Audovera (died 580) was the first wife or mistress of Chilperic I, king of Neustria.[1][2]
Audovera | |
---|---|
Queens of Neustria | |
Tenure | 561 - 567 |
Born | c. 533 |
Died | 580 Le Mans |
Spouse | Chilperic I |
Issue | Theudebert of Soissons Merovech Clovis Childesinda Basina |
They had five children.
Some time before 567, Audovera and Fredegund - then a servant of Audovera, but later to become another wife of Chilperic[6][7][4] - prepared for the baptism of Childesinda while Chilperic was away. Fredegund learnt that it was forbidden for a mother to receive her own child in her arms following a baptism, due to a canon law forbidding marriage between parents and godparents.[8] Fredegund arranged the events of the baptism such that Audovera unknowingly broke this taboo.[9][10] On Chilperic's return, Fredegund informed him of what Audovera had done. Chilperic committed Audovera to a convent in a rage. Fredegund later had her murdered in 580 to coincide with the assassination of Clovis and the exile of Basina.