Bertha of Burgundy
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Bertha, Princess of Burgundy, daughter of Conrad the Pacific, King of Burgundy, and his wife Matilda of France. Her maternal grandparents were Louis IV of France and Gerberga of Saxony.
Her first husband was Odo I, Count of Blois (marriage c.983) to whom she bore several children, including Odo II.
Later, following the death of her husband in 996, Robert, co-King of France, chose to marry her, in place of his repudiated first wife, Rosala of Italy. The marriage was opposed by Robert's father, King Hugh Capet, due to the two being related too closely. However, with Hugh's death in October 996, leaving Robert as sole King, the marriage went ahead.
The closeness of the two by blood was such that the marriage was considered illegal by Church authorities. Accordingly, Pope Gregory V declared the pair excommunicate. This, and a lack of children (save one, who lived and died in 999), caused Robert to agree with Pope Silvester II to have the marriage annulled in 1000.
Robert went on to marry Constance of Arles. Bertha remained unmarried.
Bertha was born in either 952, 964 or 967. She died either in 1010, 16 January 1016, or 1035.
Preceded by Susanna of Italy |
Queen of France 996 – 1000 |
Succeeded by Constance of Arles |