Chilperic II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chilperic II |
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| King of the Franks | |
Chilperic's seal
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| King of the Franks | |
| Reign | 715–721 |
| Predecessor | Dagobert III |
| Successor | Theuderic IV |
| Born | 672 |
| Died | 13 February 721 (aged 48–49) Attigny, Ardennes |
| Issue | Childeric III? |
| Dynasty | Merovingian |
| Father | Childeric II |
| Mother | Bilichild |
Chilperic II (born around 672 – died February 13, 721) was a king of the Franks. He ruled from 715 until his death.
He was the son of Childeric II and his wife, Bilichild. When he was a baby, he was sent to a monastery. This was to keep him safe from the family fights common among kings. He grew up there, known as Daniel.
Contents
Becoming King of the Franks
Chilperic was 43 years old when Dagobert III died in 715. He was then brought out of the monastery. The Neustrian warriors chose him as their new king.
At first, people thought he would be a puppet king. They believed he would be controlled by Ragenfrid. Ragenfrid was the powerful "Mayor of the Palace" of Neustria. A Mayor of the Palace was like a chief minister or prime minister. He held much of the real power.
Chilperic's Early Reign and Battles
Chilperic, however, was a strong leader. He was a good fighter and always led his troops into battle. In 716, he and Ragenfrid led an army into Austrasia. Austrasia was another part of the Frankish kingdom.
There was a power struggle in Austrasia. Plectrude was fighting for her grandson, Theudoald. Charles Martel, son of Pepin of Heristal, was also fighting for control.
Chilperic and Ragenfrid joined forces with Radbod, King of the Frisians. They fought Charles Martel near Cologne. Chilperic won this battle, and Charles fled. The king and his mayor then surrounded Cologne. Plectrude accepted Chilperic as king. She gave him the Austrasian treasury and gave up her grandson's claim.
Challenges and Defeats
Things soon changed for Chilperic. As he and Ragenfrid returned to Neustria, Charles Martel attacked them. This happened near Malmedy, at the Battle of Amblève. Charles defeated them badly, and they had to flee.
After this, Charles Martel was almost always victorious. Chilperic's strong will was tested in many battles. These fights took place in Neustrian lands.
In 717, Charles returned to Neustria with his army. He won another big victory at Vincy, near Cambrai. He chased Chilperic and Ragenfrid all the way to Paris. Then Charles went back to deal with Plectrude and Cologne.
The Rise of Charles Martel
After his success, Charles Martel named Chlothar IV as king of Austrasia. This was a direct challenge to Chilperic. In 718, Chilperic made an alliance with Odo the Great. Odo was the duke of Aquitaine. He had become independent during the earlier conflicts.
But Chilperic was defeated by Charles again. This happened at Soissons in 718. King Chilperic II fled south with Duke Odo. His mayor, Ragenfrid, fled to Angers.
Soon after, Chlothar IV died in 718. Duke Odo then gave Chilperic II over to Charles Martel. In return, Charles agreed to recognize Chilperic as king of all the Franks. In exchange, Chilperic gave up his political power to Charles. He recognized Charles as the Mayor over all the kingdoms in 718.
Later Life and Legacy
In 719, Chilperic II was officially recognized as King of all the Franks. However, he only lived for one more year. His successors were known as rois fainéants. This French term means "do-nothing kings." It describes kings who had little real power.
Chilperic II died in Attigny and was buried in Noyon. It is possible that Chilperic II was the father of Childeric III. However, this is not certain.
See also
In Spanish: Chilperico II para niños
