Auda of France

Auda, Aida, Alda, Aldana or Adalne (c. 722 – before 755?) was wife of Frankish nobleman Thierry IV, count of Autun and mother of Saint William of Gellone.

Marriage and children

She was married to Thierry, perhaps a nephew, grandson or grand-nephew of Bertrada of Prüm, in 742 and in 750. From this marriage were born:

Theodoen (died before 826), count of Autun, mentioned in 804, whose son Thierry was active in the 810s. Adalhelm William, count of Toulouse and founder of the Abbey of Gellone. Abba and Berta, mentioned as nuns in 804. One of them was probably married to a Nibelungid, Childebrand II or Nibelung II.

Debated Parentage

There are no direct primary sources claiming Auda to be a daughter of Charles Martel and secondary evidence is scarce. Sources from Aquitaine name one of her sisters as “Hiltrudis,” a name shared by one of Charles Martel's daughters. Additionally, scholars have noted that Auda's son, William of Gellone, named one of his sons “Bernard,” a Carolingian name. Auda being a daughter of Charles Martel could explain how a Carolingian name became accepted by the family. However, scholar Constance Brittain Bouchard argues that such evidence is weak and circumstantial at best.