Individual Details

Judith von Altdorf

(Abt 800 - 19 Apr 843)

Judith was born about 800, the daughter of Welf, Graf in Bayern und Schwaben, Graf von Altdorf, and his wife, a Saxon noblewoman named Eigilwich/Heilwig. In Aachen in 819 she became the second wife of Emperor Louis 'the Pious', son of Emperor Charlemagne and his wife Hildegardis. Of their two children their son Charles would have progeny.

Judith ensured that Charles received a share of the kingdom, like his three half-brothers from Louis' first marriage. This contributed to the ensuing civil war between Louis and his sons. Rebels temporarily imprisoned Judith in the convent of Poitiers on allegations of adultery in 830. From 833 to 834 she was exiled in Tortona, Piedmont.

Judith was the first member of the Elder House of Welf to have a leading role in the Frankish kingdom. Whether by coincidence or through Judith's influence, in the years following her marriage to Louis her mother and both her brothers gained important offices in the kingdom. In 827 her sister Emma/Hemma married Ludwig II 'the German', king of the East-Franks, a son of Louis from his first marriage. Judith died at Tours on 19 April 843. She was buried at the Basilica of St. Martin in Tours.

Source: Leo van de Pas

Events

BirthAbt 800
Marriage819Aachen - Louis I "The Pious" Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
Death19 Apr 843Tours

Families