Redbad or Radbod (died 719) was the king (or duke) of Frisia from c. 680 until his death. He is often considered the last independent ruler of Frisia before Frankish domination. He defeated Charles Martel at Cologne. Eventually, Charles prevailed and compelled the Frisians to submit. Redbad died in 719, but for some years his successors struggled against the Frankish power.
Redbad
King (or Duke) of Frisia
Embroidery depicting the legend in which the Frisian king Radbod is ready to be baptized by Wulfram (in this embroidery replaced by Willibrord), but at the last moment refuses. From the Museum Catharijneconvent, Utrecht
What the exact title of the Frisian rulers was depends on the source. Frankish sources tend to call them dukes; other sources often call them kings. Being Germanic pagans, it is likely that they would have been called kings by their followers, whereas the Christianized Franks would have referred to them as dukes.[citation needed]
Reign
While his predecessor, Aldgisl,[1] had welcomed Christianity into his realm, Redbad attempted to extirpate the religion and free the Frisians from subjugation to the Merovingian kingdom of the Franks. In 689, however, Redbad was defeated by Pepin of Herstal in the battle of Dorestad[2] and compelled to cede Frisia Citerior (Nearer Frisia, from the Scheldt to the Vlie) to the Franks.
Between 690 and 692, Utrecht fell into the hands of Pepin. This gave the Franks control of important trade routes on the Rhine to the North Sea. Some sources say that, following this defeat, Redbad retreated, in 697, to the island of Heligoland. Others say he retreated to the part of the Netherlands that is still known as Friesland.
Around this time there was an Archbishopric or bishopric of the Frisians founded for Willibrord[3] and a marriage was held between Grimoald the Younger, the oldest son of Pepin, and Thiadsvind, the daughter of Redbad in 711.[4]: 794
On Pepin's death in 714, Redbad took the initiative again. He forced Saint Willibrord and his monks to flee and advanced as far as Cologne, where he defeated Charles Martel,[5] Pepin's natural son, in 716. Eventually, however, Charles prevailed and compelled the Frisians to submit. Redbad died in 719,[6]: 90 but for some years his successors struggled against the Frankish power.
As an example of how powerful King Redbad still was at the end of his life, the news that he was engaged in assembling an army was reportedly enough to fill the Frankish kingdom with fear and trembling.[4]: 794
Relation with the Roman Catholic Church
During the second journey of Saint Boniface to Rome, Wulfram (or Vulfran), a monk and ex-archbishop of Sens tried to convert Redbad, but after an unsuccessful attempt he returned to Fontenelle. It is said that Redbad was nearly baptised but refused when he was told that he would not be able to find any of his ancestors in Heaven after his death. He said he preferred spending eternity in Hell with his pagan ancestors than in Heaven with a pack of beggars.[7] This legend is also told with Wulfram being replaced with bishop Willibrord.
In Richard Wagner's Lohengrin a certain "Radbod, ruler of the Frisians" is mentioned as Ortrud's ancestor.
In Harry Harrison's The Hammer and the Cross series of novels, Redbad becomes the founder of "the Way", an organized pagan cult, created to combat the efforts of Christian missionaries.
Black metal band Ophidian Forest recorded a concept album Redbad[8] in 2007.
Dutch folk metal band 'Heidevolk' recorded a song 'Koning Radboud' (King Redbad) on their 2008 album 'Walhalla Wacht' singing about the legend of Wulfram and Redbad.
In 2015 the Frisian Folk-Metal band Baldrs Draumar[9] released a full album on the life and deeds of king Redbad called Aldgillessoan.[10] It is based on the book Rêdbâd, Kronyk fan in Kening[11] (Chronicles of a King) by Willem Schoorstra.
In 2018, Dutch production company Farmhouse released a film, Redbad, based on the historical Redbad. It is directed by Roel Reiné and stars Jonathan Banks and Søren Malling alongside a variety of Dutch actors.[12]
^TeBrake, William H. (1978). "Ecology and Economy in Early Medieval Frisia". Viator. 9: 1–30. doi:10.1484/J.VIATOR.2.301538. Retrieved 2013-08-30.
^Blok, Dirk P. (1968). De Franken : hun optreden in het licht der historie. Fibulareeks (in Dutch). Vol. 22. Bussum: Fibula-Van Dishoeck. pp. 32–34. OCLC 622919217. Retrieved 2014-09-17.
^it Liber Pontificalis (Corpus XXXVI 1, side 168) en Beda Venerabilis (Corpus XLVI9, page 218)
^ abHalbertsma, Herrius (1982). "Summary" (PDF). Frieslands Oudheid (Thesis) (in Dutch and English). Groningen: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. pp. 791–798. OCLC 746889526.
^. boudicca.de (in Dutch). 2003. Archived from the original on 2009-06-08. Retrieved 2009-01-22.[self-published source]
^Halbertsma, Herrius (2000). Frieslands oudheid: het rijk van de Friese koningen, opkomst en ondergang (in Dutch and English) (New ed.). Utrecht: Matrijs. ISBN9789053451670.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Frisians". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 11 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 234–235.
Petz, G. H. (ed). MGH Scriptures. (Hanover, 1892).
External links
Media related to Redbad, King of the Frisians at Wikimedia Commons
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Redbad or Radbod died 719 was the king or duke of Frisia from c 680 until his death He is often considered the last independent ruler of Frisia before Frankish domination He defeated Charles Martel at Cologne Eventually Charles prevailed and compelled the Frisians to submit Redbad died in 719 but for some years his successors struggled against the Frankish power RedbadKing or Duke of FrisiaEmbroidery depicting the legend in which the Frisian king Radbod is ready to be baptized by Wulfram in this embroidery replaced by Willibrord but at the last moment refuses From the Museum Catharijneconvent UtrechtReignc 680 719PredecessorAldgislSuccessorBuboBornc 648Died719ReligionGermanic paganism Contents 1 King or duke 2 Reign 3 Relation with the Roman Catholic Church 4 Legacy 5 See also 6 References 6 1 Other sources 7 External linksKing or duke EditWhat the exact title of the Frisian rulers was depends on the source Frankish sources tend to call them dukes other sources often call them kings Being Germanic pagans it is likely that they would have been called kings by their followers whereas the Christianized Franks would have referred to them as dukes citation needed Reign EditWhile his predecessor Aldgisl 1 had welcomed Christianity into his realm Redbad attempted to extirpate the religion and free the Frisians from subjugation to the Merovingian kingdom of the Franks In 689 however Redbad was defeated by Pepin of Herstal in the battle of Dorestad 2 and compelled to cede Frisia Citerior Nearer Frisia from the Scheldt to the Vlie to the Franks Between 690 and 692 Utrecht fell into the hands of Pepin This gave the Franks control of important trade routes on the Rhine to the North Sea Some sources say that following this defeat Redbad retreated in 697 to the island of Heligoland Others say he retreated to the part of the Netherlands that is still known as Friesland Around this time there was an Archbishopric or bishopric of the Frisians founded for Willibrord 3 and a marriage was held between Grimoald the Younger the oldest son of Pepin and Thiadsvind the daughter of Redbad in 711 4 794 On Pepin s death in 714 Redbad took the initiative again He forced Saint Willibrord and his monks to flee and advanced as far as Cologne where he defeated Charles Martel 5 Pepin s natural son in 716 Eventually however Charles prevailed and compelled the Frisians to submit Redbad died in 719 6 90 but for some years his successors struggled against the Frankish power As an example of how powerful King Redbad still was at the end of his life the news that he was engaged in assembling an army was reportedly enough to fill the Frankish kingdom with fear and trembling 4 794 Relation with the Roman Catholic Church EditDuring the second journey of Saint Boniface to Rome Wulfram or Vulfran a monk and ex archbishop of Sens tried to convert Redbad but after an unsuccessful attempt he returned to Fontenelle It is said that Redbad was nearly baptised but refused when he was told that he would not be able to find any of his ancestors in Heaven after his death He said he preferred spending eternity in Hell with his pagan ancestors than in Heaven with a pack of beggars 7 This legend is also told with Wulfram being replaced with bishop Willibrord Legacy Edit Portrait of Redbad Radboud Castle Saint Radboud was a descendant of Redbad Saint Radboud was a bishop of Utrecht who adopted his ancestor s native name The Nijmegen University and its corresponding medical facility were named after him in 2004 In Richard Wagner s Lohengrin a certain Radbod ruler of the Frisians is mentioned as Ortrud s ancestor In Harry Harrison s The Hammer and the Cross series of novels Redbad becomes the founder of the Way an organized pagan cult created to combat the efforts of Christian missionaries Black metal band Ophidian Forest recorded a concept album Redbad 8 in 2007 Dutch folk metal band Heidevolk recorded a song Koning Radboud King Redbad on their 2008 album Walhalla Wacht singing about the legend of Wulfram and Redbad In 2015 the Frisian Folk Metal band Baldrs Draumar 9 released a full album on the life and deeds of king Redbad called Aldgillessoan 10 It is based on the book Redbad Kronyk fan in Kening 11 Chronicles of a King by Willem Schoorstra In 2018 Dutch production company Farmhouse released a film Redbad based on the historical Redbad It is directed by Roel Reine and stars Jonathan Banks and Soren Malling alongside a variety of Dutch actors 12 See also EditFrisian Frankish wars Low Countries mythologyReferences Edit TeBrake William H 1978 Ecology and Economy in Early Medieval Frisia Viator 9 1 30 doi 10 1484 J VIATOR 2 301538 Retrieved 2013 08 30 Blok Dirk P 1968 De Franken hun optreden in het licht der historie Fibulareeks in Dutch Vol 22 Bussum Fibula Van Dishoeck pp 32 34 OCLC 622919217 Retrieved 2014 09 17 it Liber Pontificalis Corpus XXXVI 1 side 168 en Beda Venerabilis Corpus XLVI9 page 218 a b Halbertsma Herrius 1982 Summary PDF Frieslands Oudheid Thesis in Dutch and English Groningen Rijksuniversiteit Groningen pp 791 798 OCLC 746889526 Geschiedenis van het volk der Friezen boudicca de in Dutch 2003 Archived from the original on 2009 06 08 Retrieved 2009 01 22 self published source Halbertsma Herrius 2000 Frieslands oudheid het rijk van de Friese koningen opkomst en ondergang in Dutch and English New ed Utrecht Matrijs ISBN 9789053451670 Friese sagen amp Terugkeer 2000 Conserve Uitgeverij Redbald en Wulfram ISBN 978 90 5429 138 1 Redbad metal archives com Retrieved 2013 08 30 Baldrs Draumar baldrsdraumar com Aldgillessoan soundcloud com Redbad Kronyk fan in Kening bol com 754 A D REDBAD 2018 incrediblefilm com Other sources Edit This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Chisholm Hugh ed 1911 Frisians Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 11 11th ed Cambridge University Press pp 234 235 Petz G H ed MGH Scriptures Hanover 1892 External links Edit Media related to Redbad King of the Frisians at Wikimedia CommonsRegnal titlesPreceded byAldgisl King of Frisia680 719 Succeeded byBubo Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Redbad King of the Frisians amp oldid 1107174340, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
