Baddo

Baddo (Bauda) (6th-century – fl. 589) was a Visigoth queen consort by marriage to King Reccared I (580–601). She is the only Visigoth queen consort known to have signed official state documents and church documents, which signifies that she played a role in politics and had some influence over the government. Biography Lineage Many modern historians believe that Baddo’s lineage was first written about in Isidore of Seville’s Historia de regibus Gothorum, Vandalorum et Suevorum and the Continuatio Byzantia-Arabica. These historical sources mention that the mother of Liuva II, who himself was born in 583 or 584, was a commoner and a concubine to Reccared, who was at that time the youngest son of the ruler of the Visigothic kingdom Liuvigild. These researchers consider Baddo the sole known lawful wife of Reccared I. Other modern medievalists, however, also hold the opinion that Baddo was not the mother of Liuva II, as marrying commoners was not a widespread practice among the Visigothic monarchy. The supporting claim is also made that Baddo was unable to bear Reccared a son and that Liuva II was declared heir to the throne after being borne by one of Reccared’s concubines.