Gersuinda (also Gersvinda; died after 800).

Gersuinda was a concubine of the emperor Charlemagne, with whom he was in a relationship after the death of his last legitimate wife, Luitgard (died June 4, 800). According to Charlemagne's contemporary biographer, Einhard, Gersuinda was a Saxon, and mother of his daughter, Adaltrude.[1] She was one of four concubines of Charlemagne during this period, the others being Regina, Adallindis and Madelgarda, with whom he also had children.

Luitgard was praised lavishly after her death, but Gersuinda and the other concubines were apparently less popular among the clerical circles that surrounded Charlemagne, although (or perhaps because) their influence was significant.[2]

Gersuinda's date of death is unknown.

References

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  1. ^ Thorpe, Lewis (1972). Einhard and Notker the Stammerer: Two Lives of Charlemagne. Harmondsworth: Penguin. p. 73.
  2. ^ Fichtenau, Heinrich. The Carolingian Empire. Translated by Munz, Peter. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. p. 40.
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