Merovingian kings. Dynasty of Clovis. From 511 to 638.

Monuments of the Merovingian Kings. Monuments des Rois Merovingiens. Clovis 1er, Chlotilde, Childebert 1er, Chlotaire 1er, Charibert, Chlotaire II

Merovingian kings.

DYNASTY OF CLOVIS. FROM 511 to 638.

The rest of the Merovingian dynasty, except Dagobert, were utterly worthless; and the only incidents recorded in their reigns are sanguinary quarrels, family feuds, murders, wars, and crimes too odious to deserve relation.

It was customary among the Franks for all sons, at the death of their father, to share alike; consequently, every time a king died, leaving two or more sons, his kingdom was divided, and a civil war ensued.

Clovis left four sons, each of whom had his separate court and seat of government: Thierry, the eldest, resided at Metz [Mess]; Clodomir at Orleans; Childebert at Paris; and Clotaire, the youngest, at Soissons [Swois-so’ng].

Of these four, Clodomir died first, leaving three infants; two of whom were murdered by their uncle Clotaire; and the other, Cloudoald, made his escape and became a monk. Afterwards he founded a monastery near Paris; and both the monastery and the suburb in which it stood were called by his name, since shortened into St. Cloud [San Cloo].

Soon after the death of Clodomir, the three surviving brothers combined against the king of Burgundy; dethroned him; and partitioned his dominions among themselves.

Clotaire, the youngest, outlived his brothers, and re-united the kingdom for a short time; but as he left four sons, the contentions and crimes of the last half century were again repeated with very little variation.

Of the three sons of Clotaire I., the eldest soon died; and the entire kingdom was divided into three parts called Neustria, Austrasia, and Burgundy. Neustria, or the new kingdom, was all that part of France encompassed by the Loire and the Meuse (supposing them joined together), and excepting the peninsula of Bretagne (Bre-tan’y).

Neustria was in the period from 511 to 737 the north-western part of the Frankish kingdom between the Loire and Scheldt. The Merovingians were the masters of this realm. In the course of his existence, Neustria often had conflicts with his eastern neighbor Austrasien, but these two countries were often associated with each other in personal union.

Neustria was the realm of Soissons and predecessors of the West Franconian Empire. His chiefs all bore the title of king. Austrasia, or the eastern kingdom, lay east of the river Meuse.

Lorraine and Alsace, with Bavaria, Barden, and Wurtemburg, formed this kingdom. Subsequently it was enlarged by the addition of all the south of France, bounded by the Garonne, and carrying the branch, called the Tarn, up to the river Rhone.

Austrasia (the land in the east) had been a self-sufficient Franconian kingdom since the death of Clovis I in 511 to Pippin the Younger, first with the capital Reims and later Metz. In the beginning this kingdom was also called the kingdom of Metz, until the name Austrasien came into existence from 584 onwards.

The area covered the Franconian areas around the Rhine, the Meuse and the Moselle, and, besides Metz, the towns of Reims, Cologne, and Trier, and the territories of the defeated Germanic tribes.

Pepin the Short 715-768 from the Carolingian family and since 751 King of the Franks. He was the son of Charles Martell and the father of Charlemagne.

Bertrada of Laon c. 725-783 Queen of the Franks, wife of Pepin the Short and the mother of Charlemagne, Carloman and Gisela.

Pépin “Le Bref” de FRANCIE III 715-768. Bertrade de Laon “Berthe au Grand Pied” de FRANCIE (née de LAON c. 725-783. Fille: Charles “Charlemagne” I., Carloman I., Pepin de FRANCIE, Gisèle de FRANCIE, Gertrude de FRANCIE, Berthe de FRANCIE, Rothaïde de FRANCIE, Adélaïde de FRANCIE.

Under the Austrasian King Dagobert I, the Lex Ripuaria (also Lex Ribuaria), which includes a collection of Latin law texts of the Rhine francs, was created in the Rhine-Franconian region at the beginning of the 7th century.

At the accession of Charlemagne the name of Austrasia was lost; and that of Neustria in 843 at the treaty of Verdun. Austrasia merged into Germany, and Neustria into France.

NEUSTRIA is Neust-reich [new kingdom]. AUSTRASIA or rather Ostrasia is Oster-reich [east kingdom].

Fredegonde and Brunehaut.

The only incident worth mention during the reign of the three sons of Clotaire I. is the hatred which subsisted between the kings of Neustria and Austrasia, fomented by their wives Fredegonde and Brunehaut [Bruno].

This hatred gave rise to an intestine war, which for half a century desolated France, led to numerous murders, and brought about the death of both the queens. Fredegonde, having invaded the kingdom of Austrasia, gained a complete victory; but died a few days afterwards either by poison or the dagger.

Brunehaut

survived her rival 16 years; when she was seized by Clotaire II., the son of Fredegonde; and being lashed to the tail of a wild horse, was kicked to death by the infuriated animal.

This remarkable woman, who had for 48 years been the terror of her enemies, united to an active and powerful genius, the most towering ambition and unflinching recklessness of purpose.

Her crimes were frightful; but she was a great promoter of the arts; caused several roads to be constructed; built a prodigious number of churches and monasteries; and tried, not without success, to introduce into Gaul the Roman laws and literature.

Clotaire II. (584 to 628)

son of Chilpéric and Fredégonde, succeeded to the kingdom of Neustria at four months old, but ultimately united for the third time all France under one sceptre. The greatest event of his reign was the royal ordinance which rendered the mayors of the palace a permanent appointment.

These Mayors were the chief judges or magistrates of the nation ; and after the reign of the next king, the whole power of the state passed into their hands.

Dagobert was amazed when Éloi presented him with the second chair. Dagobert fut émerveillé quand Éloi lui présenta le second fauteuil. (Source: Paris à travers les siècles. Histoire nationale de Paris…)

Dagobert I. (628-688)

his son, succeeded next, the wisest and most redoubtable of all the descendants of Clovis; but, like several others of the same race, he united to great religious zeal a cruel and licentious disposition.

He made enormous gifts to the clergy; filled France with his churches and convents; lived in eastern pomp and splendour; and had his court crowded with bishops, nobles, and foreign ambassadors.

Amongst other foundations he built and endowed the rich abbey of St. Denis [San Dneé], near Paris, celebrated as the place of sepulture of the French kings. St.  Éloi* was his friend and minister.

*  The Holy Eligius (lat. The Chosen One, also Eulogius, French: Saint Éloi) at 589-659, 660? Was Bishop of Noyon. His relics are in the cathedral of Noyon. Another is admitted in the bust of St. Eulogius in the parish church in Aftholderberg (Germany).

The Puppet Kings from 638 to 742. (Les rois faineants)

Clovis II. and his ten successors were so utterly worthless, that they have gained for themselves the ignoble appellation of the “Good-for-nothing kings” (les Rois Fainéants).

These kings were all parents at 15, and old men at 30, to which age only one of them attained. Clotaire IV. died at the age of 12; Clovis III. and Dagobert III. at 15; Clotaire III. at 18: Chilpéric II. at 20: Clovis II. at 23: Thierry IV. at 25; Childerbert II. at 28; and Thierry III. was the only one who outlived 30. Fainéant (fain’-yarn) is from faire-neant, to do nothing.

Mayors Of the Palace.

The whole power of the kingdom during this century was vested in the mayors of the palace, originally superintendents of the household, and stewards of the royal leitdes or companies.

Being also chief magistrates they were called Mord-domes, that is, judges of murder. The word mord-dome was corrupted by the Romans into Major-domus, and the Latin corruption, retranslated into French, became Maire-du-Palais.

From being the king’s chief man, who superintended all his house, the palace-mayor became the head of the aristocracy; and ultimately greater than even the king himself. The most celebrated of these officers are the two Pepins, Ebroin, and Charles Martel.

(1) Pepin de Landen (613-649) generally called Pépin the Elder (le vieux), was palace-mayor during the reign of Clotaire II., Dagobert I., and the minority of Sigebert II. He was so virtuous a magistrate, that at death he was canonized.

(2) Ebroin (656-681). At the decease of Clotaire III., all France, was united again in the person of his brother Childéric. Ebroin, a man of infamous character and most despotic temper, was at the time the palace-mayor of Neustria.

The nobles of Austrasia revolted against his tyranny; separated from the united kingdoms of Neustria and Burgundy, and placed themselves under Martin and Pepin the Fat, his cousin, a grandson of the other Pepin, whom they created their leaders or dukes. Ebroin lost no time in crushing this revolt; the army of the two dukes was defeated, and Martin put to death.

Pepin escaped and raised another army; but while Ebroin was on his way to give him battle, one of his own officers cleft his head open with his sword, and left Pepin without a rival.

(3) Pépin d’Heristal (681-714), surnamed The Fat or Corpulent, now caused himself to be proclaimed the palace-mayor, and in this capacity ruled both kings and subjects for 32 years with absolute sway.

He placed successively on the throne Clovis III., Childeric III., and Dagobert III. But in order to mask his power, revived the Assembly called the Champ de Mars which had fallen into disuse. (Champ-de-Mars pronounce Sharnd-Mars’. After 755 these Meetings were held in May, and called Champs-de-Mai (Sharnd-May’).

Napoleon I. revived them in the “Hundred Days.” (1 June 1815). These March-meetings had been held by Clovis and his immediate followers sometimes as mere pageants, such as military reviews, for the amusement of the freemen who came to offer homage to their lord, and pay him their annual gifts; sometimes they were made use of for business purposes, especially when the king wished to consult his great warriors about some intended expedition, or his bishops about some affairs of state.

Pépin the Fat revived them solely for the purpose of ceremony and amusement. The nobles and great vassals came to do homage and offer gifts; and the king in his robes of state was drawn to the place of muster in his ox-chariot, took his seat on a golden throne, gave audience to ambassadors, made a set speech, and returned home again to exercise no other royal function till the next annual show-day. Pepin died at a very advanced age. He was called Héristal from his palace of Héristal on the Meuse.

(4) Charles le Martel (714 – 741), a natural son of Pépin d’Heristal was next created duke of Austrasia and palace-mayor.

The murder of Dagobert III. freed him from his only rival. He brought Chilpéric II. from a cloister to place him on the throne; but the child had the folly to quarrel with his minister, and even tried to disseat him.

Charles now took up arms; surprised the royal camp, as it passed through the forest of Ardennes [Ar-denn]; and, in the battle which ensued the next day, entirely defeated the king’s forces. Upon this, Chilpéric entered into an alliance with Eudes [Ude], by ceding to him the kingdom of Aquitaine.

Charles, however, placed on the throne another of the royal family named Clotaire, advanced against Chilpéric and Eudes, and entirely defeated them near Soissons. After this disaster Eudes, despairing of success, delivered up Chilpéric into the hands of his antagonist.

Charles treated him with the greatest courtesy, and even restored him to the throne after the death of Clotaire.

In 731 Duke Eudo of Aquitaine was threatened by the Arabs, and applied to the palace-mayor for aid. Charles readily responded to this appeal; and the encounter which ensued has placed his name amongst the foremost of the world’s great warriors. (Since the 1990s, voices have become more and more important, which are relativizing the importance of Karl’s slaughter.

The success is seen as a defense against a movement that is already altogether sloping.) Never since the time of Attila had so formidable a host appeared in Gaul. Narbonne [Nar-bonri] had succumbed already, and now Aquitaine was threatened.

Duke Eudo of Aquitaine collected an army; but the Saracens utterly routed it, and marched without further resistance to Bordeaux, which they consumed by fire. While they were still revelling in the spoils, Charles halted on the plains of Poitiers. A great question was at stake, whether Europe was to acknowledge the crescent or the cross.

If the Saracens prevailed, the Muhammadan religion would have been forced upon the people; and probably other nations of Europe would have been subjugated by the same power.

If the Franks prevailed, the Christian religion would continue dominant; and the power of Mahomet in Europe be crushed for ever. Never was the issue of a battle more important.

For seven days the two armies watched each other’s movements without striking a blow; but at length the engagement began. The Saracen leader was Abd-el-Rahman, viceroy of Spain, who began the battle with his light cavalry. The Franks on their powerful horses received the charge without flinching; and, defended by their heavy armour, stood like a wall of iron.

Duke Eudo of Aquitaine at this moment appeared in the enemy’s rear, and fired their camp. The Saracens were panic-struck; gave way; and Charles commanded his soldiers to advance.

Abd-el-Rahman in vain attempted to rally his troops; they fled in every direction; Abd-el-Rahman was slain; darkness alone put a stop to the carnage; and next morning no trace of the Mohammedan could be found, except in the heaps of slain which covered the whole field (732).

This was a really great victory; and Charles, who knocked down the foe and crushed them beneath his axe, as a martel or hammer crushes what it strikes, received the surname of le Martel, the hammer (Judas Asmonaeus was for a similar reason called Maccabaus, the hammerer.).

It is said that 300,000 Saracens, and only 1500 Franks, fell in the encounter, but this doubtless is a gross exaggeration.

Karl Martell was later exalted as a savior of the West because of the victory. However, the battle in contemporary sources was not regarded as an outstanding event, but only incidentally mentioned, which makes the reconstruction of the operations very difficult.

In mediaeval historiography the Battle of 732 was less important than in modern times. The battle was only stylized into a world-historical event in modern times. In Arabic, the battle is also called Battle of the Balat-ash-Shuhadā’ (“Battle of the Martyrs”.

Battle of Tours also called the Battle of Poitiers on 18th or 25th October 732.

Franks and allies under the command of Karl Martell. Troop strength 15,000 men. 1000-2,000 dead. About 4,000 wounded.

Moors under the command of Abd ar-Rahman, Governor-General of al-Andalus. Troop strength 20,000 men. About 5,000 dead and about 5,000 wounded.

Charles Martel lived nine years longer, all-powerful and allhonored. He defeated the Bavarians by land, and the Frissons by sea; triumphed twice over the Alemanni, and five times over the Saxons.

Though not king in name, he disposed of the kingdom at death to his three sons, Carloman, Pépin, and Grifon. Grifon, the youngest, was seized by his brothers, and confined in a monastery.

Carloman, the eldest, reigned 5 years, and then abdicated; leaving Pépin, surnamed The Short (le Bref), sole ruler of France.

Source:

• The political, social, and literary history of France. Brought down to the middle of the year 1874. By the Rev. Dr. Cobham Brewer.
• Costumes civils et militaires des Français à travers les siècles. 1883. Author: Jean Baptiste Marie Augustin Challamel. Engraver: Meunier, Jean-Baptiste. Ouvrage couronné par l’Académie francaise.
• Paris à travers les siècles. Histoire nationale de Paris et des Parisiens depuis la fondation de Lutèce jusqu’à nos jours, etc. Author: Nicolas Jules Henri, Gourdon de Genouillac. Paris 1879.