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Basina of Thuringia
Character
Queen of Thuringia, later Queen of the Salian Franks
Historical Accuracy
Gregory of Tours' Historia Francorum is effectively the only substantial source for Basina, and his account of her leaving Basinus for Childeric — reportedly on her own initiative, admiring Childeric's qualities — is difficult to verify independently and may carry some legendary embellishment, as is common for origin stories of royal mothers in this period. No portrait or archaeological evidence tied specifically to Basina survives, leaving the novels full creative latitude for her visual and personal characterization, consistent with this dossier's own notes.
Historical Significance
Sources:
- Gregory of Tours, Historia Francorum — effectively the only substantial source.
Basina of Thuringia's decision to leave her first husband, King Basinus of Thuringia, and marry Childeric I of the Franks — as recorded by Gregory of Tours — makes her, as the mother of Clovis I, a genealogical figure standing directly at the origin point of the Merovingian dynasty, even though almost nothing else about her life is independently documented.
Historical Era
Not yet featured in the novels
Novel Appearance:
- Not established in existing series canon — background genealogy figure.
Timeline:
- c. 438 — born
- c. 458 — marries Basinus of Thuringia
- c. 464 — leaves Basinus, marries Childeric I
- c. 466 — Clovis I born
- c. 477 — dies
Birth:
- c. 438 AD.
Death:
- c. 477 AD.
Parents:
- Daughter of Thuringian king Basin and a Saxon princess.
Children:
- By Childeric I: Clovis I, Audofleda
basina-of-thuringia
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