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Merovingian Iron Sword with Gold and Garnet Inlay, 7th Century AD

A very similar sword was found in excavations at Paley (Seine et Marne) in 1912. It is attributed to the reign of the Merovingian King Clovis II (AD 637 –658). His wife was Queen Bathild who later became known as Saint Balthild of Ascania.

She was as an elite born Anglo-Saxon perhaps a relative of Ricberht of East Anglia, the last pagan king of East Anglia. Ricberht was ousted by Sigeberht, who had spent time as an exile in the Frankish court, during which he had been converted to Christianity. Sigeberht was established as the rightful heir to the throne with Frankish help. Balthild was thus sold into slavery as a young girl and served in the household of Erchinoald, the mayor of the palace of Neustria to Clovis. It was said that Balthild was beautiful, intelligent, modest and attentive to the needs of others. Erchinoald, whose wife had died, was attracted to Balthild and wanted to marry her, but she did not want to marry him so she hid herself away and waited until Erchinoald had remarried. Later, possibly because of Erchinoald, Clovis noticed her and asked for her hand in marriage. Even as queen, Balthild remained humble and modest. She is famous for her charitable service and generous donations. From her donations, the abbeys of Corbie and Chelles were founded. Balthild bore Clovis three children, all of whom became kings: Clotaire, Childeric and Theuderic. When Clovis died (between 655 and 658), his eldest son Clotaire succeeded to the throne, at age five. His mother Balthild, acted as the queen regent until he came of age in 664. As queen, she was a capable stateswoman. She abolished the practice of trading Christian slaves and strove to free children who had been sold into slavery. After Balthild's three children reached adulthood, Balthild entered an abbey and gave up her royal rank. She dedicated the rest of her life to serving the poor and the infirm. She died on January 30, 680 and was buried at the Abbey of Chelles, east of Paris. Her official cult began when her remains were transferred from the former abbey to a new church, in 833, under the auspices of Louis the Pious. Balthild was canonized by Pope Nicholas I, around 200 years after her death.