Bertachar

{{Short description|6th century Thuringian king}}

Bertachar (or Berthachar) was a king of Thuringia from about 510 until about 525, co-ruling with his brothers Hermanfrid and Baderic.{{sfn|Jarnut|2009|p=288, contains a family tree}}{{sfn|Martindale|1980|pp=1336, contains a family tree}}

Bertachar was probably not a Thuringian himself.{{sfn|Neumeister|2014|p=91}} Frankish sources, such as Venantius Fortunatus, make the three brothers sons of King Bisinus. They are sometimes considered as sons of Bisinus' wife Menia,{{sfn|Jarnut|2009|p=288, contains a family tree}} or else as sons of Basina, who is called a wife of Bisinus by the Frankish historian Gregory of Tours.{{sfn|Mladjov|2014|}} Many scholars, however, reject Bisinus' marriage to Basina as ahistorical, leaving Menia as his only known wife.{{sfn|Hartmann|2009|p=13}}

Bertachar's rule probably began between 507 and 511. He was murdered by his brother Hermanfrid, who later murdered Baderic to become sole ruler of Thuringia.{{sfn|Martindale|1980|pp=225–226, s.v. "Berthacharius"}} This assassination may have taken place as early as 525.{{sfn|Burns|1984|p=95}}

Bertachar had at least one daughter and, depending on the source, one or several sons. His sons are unnamed.{{sfn|Neumeister|2014|p=90}} His daughter, Radegund, married the Frankish king Chlothar I and founded Holy Cross Abbey in Poitiers. She is revered as a saint in the Catholic Church. Two hagiographies of her were produced by her friends Baudovinia and Venantius Fortunatus.{{sfn|Halsall|2001|p=125}}{{sfn|Jarnut|2009|pp=283–84}} Fortunatus specifies that she was "from the Thuringian region", a daughter of King Bertachar and a granddaughter of King Bisinus.Fortunatus, p. 365: Beatissima igitur Radegundis natione barbara de regione Thoringa, avo rege Bessino, patruo Hermenfredo, patre rege Bertechario.