Hermanafrid

Herminafried (also Hermenefred, Erminafried, Irminfried; * before 485, † 534 in Zuelpich, then called Tolbiacum ) was a son of the Thuringian king Bisinus and took to 510 the reign of his father. Between 506 and 510 he married Amalaberga, a niece of the Ostrogoth Theodoric, who thus be anti- Frankish alliance system expanded in central Germany. From this connection, two or more children were born: the son Amalafrid and a daughter who was married to the Duke Audoin / King of the Lombards. Whether Herminafried was baptized, can not be determined. His wife was Arianerin definitely. Excavation results, however, suggest that at least parts of the Thuringian nobility accepted Christianity ( Catholic or Arian ).

Reign

After the reign takeover, it probably came to a division of the kingdom, as Herminafrieds brothers bathing Rich and Berthachar are also mentioned as kings. As the ratio of the three kings had among themselves, can not find his way out. At the very least seems to have taken a leading position Herminafried. The Frankish sources ( Gregory of Tours: Historiarum libri decem Venantius Fortunatus and Vita Radegundis ) are indifferent in this regard. The negative portrayal of Herminafried Gregor may be explained by the enmity of the Franks to the Thuringians and Gregory intention to justify the Frankish conquest of the Thuringian kingdom.

After the reign consolidation Herminafrieds tape Theodoric of Thuringia probably 507 in its anti- Frankish coalition, which was cemented by the marriage with Amalaberga and saved the country from Frankish attacks to the death of Theodoric in 526. Probably around 529 a first invasion attempt of the Merovingians was probably repulsed. However, was the Frankish invasion of 531, after a crushing defeat in the Thuringian army at the Unstrut, successful, and had to fall Herminafrieds at least in its core areas result. By 534 he was able to maintain even in a remote eastern part of area apparently. In the year 534 (according to other sources already 531 ) he was I. a pretext to negotiate with the Merovingian Theuderic lured to Zuelpich and there fell of the fortress walls. Gregory of Tours says tersely to: a nesquio quo ( you do not know by whom), but suggests that Theodoric should have put behind the act. It could also Clotaire I. or Theudebert I have been, since 534 was Theodoric I ( † 533) has died.

Herminafried under the name Irminfried one of the main characters of the so-called Iringliedes. Apparently there was the sinking of the Thuringian kingdom and betrayal as this saga it implies. The caused by the Sage presumption that Burgscheidungen the royal residence has been Herminafrieds, was refuted by excavations.

Herb life is seen because of its optimal location in the Thuringian basin of the songwriter Reinhold Andert as the royal seat of the Herminafried, but the persons name in the place name " Herifridesleiben, " Herfridesleba " Herfried and is not Herminafried.