unworthy of their superior abilities, and solid reputation, was this unmeaning bickering.
She died at Rome in 1567. Her remains were interred in the church of St. Sabina, where her husband elevated a superb monument to her memory. The estimation of various learned societies endeavoured to immortalize her by other means—medals were struck to her fame, which may yet be found in Italian Museums.
BERTHA.
Daughter of Caribert, King of Paris. She married Ethelbert, King of Kent, who succeeded to the throne about the year 660. Ethelbert was a pagan, but Bertha was a Christian, and in the marriage treaty had stipulated for the free exercise of her religion, and taken with her a French bishop. By her influence Christianity was introduced into England; for so exemplary in every respect were her life and conduct, that she inspired the king and his court with a high respect for her person, and the religion by which she was influenced. The Pope taking advantage of this, sent forty monks, among whom was St. Augustine, to preach the gospel. Under the protection of the queen they soon found means of communication with the king, who finally submitted to public baptism. Christianity proved the means of promoting knowledge and civilization in England; and this convert king enacted a body of laws which was the first written code promulgated by the northern conquerors. Thus was the influence of this pious Queen Bertha the means of redeeming England from paganism: and moreover to her belongs the glory of planting the first Christian Church in Canterbury, called the church of St. Martin; here she was buried: her epitaph, preserved by Leland, may be thus translated—"Adorned with virtues here lies the blessed Queen Bertha, who was in favour with God and greatly beloved by mankind."
BERTHA,
Widow of Eudes, Count de Blois, married Robert the Pious, King of France. She was a relation of his, and he had been godfather to one of her children. These obstacles, then very powerful, did not prevent the king from marrying her. A council assembled at Rome in 998, and ordered Robert to repudiate Bertha, which he refused to do; the terrible sentence of excommunication was pronounced against him, and he was at length obliged to yield. Bertha retired to an abbey and devoted herself to pious works. Her title of queen was always given to her, and the king continued to show her constant proofs of affection and respect.
BERTHA, or BETRADE,
Wife of Pepin and mother of Charlemagne, Emperor of France, was a woman of great natural excellences, both of mind and heart. Charlemagne always showed her most profound respect and veneration, and there was never the slightest difficulty between them excepting when he divorced the daughter of Didier, King of the Lombards, whom he had married by her advice, to espouse Emergarde. Bertha died in 783. Her name has come down to posterity irradiated by the glory which surrounds that of her son; it is a borrowed light, but it shines upon a worthy object.
