Pepin of Herstal facts for kids

Pepin II (around 635 – December 16, 714) was an important leader of the Franks. He is often called Pepin of Herstal. From 680 until his death, he was like the real ruler of Francia. He held the title of Mayor of the Palace. After he conquered all the Frankish lands, he took the title of Duke and Prince of the Franks.

Pepin was the son of a powerful Frankish leader named Ansegisel. He worked hard to make his family, the Pippinids, the strongest in Francia. He became Mayor of the Palace in Austrasia in 680. Pepin then fought several wars to gain more power. By 687, he had united all the Frankish lands by conquering Neustria and Burgundy.

Pepin also made the Franks more powerful by defeating the Alemanni, the Frisians, and the Franconians. He also started the spread of Christianity in Germany. Pepin made the Merovingian kings less powerful. He also made sure his family had the clear right to rule. Because of this, Pepin was able to name his grandson, Theudoald, as his heir. However, Pepin's powerful son, Charles Martel, did not accept this. After Pepin's death, a civil war began, and Charles Martel won.

Who Was Pepin II?

Pepin, sometimes known as Pepin the Middle, was the grandson of Pepin I the Elder. His mother, Begga, was Pepin I's daughter. She married Ansegisel. This marriage brought together two important families: the Pippinids and the Arnulfings. This union eventually led to the famous Carolingian dynasty. Pepin II was likely born in Herstal, which is in modern Belgium. This is why he is sometimes called "Pepin of Herstal."

How Pepin II Gained Power

As the mayor of Austrasia, Pepin and Martin, the duke of Laon, fought against Ebroin. Ebroin was the Neustrian mayor who wanted to control all of Francia. Ebroin defeated the Austrasians in the Battle of Lucofao. He almost united all the Franks under his rule. However, Ebroin was killed in 681 by his many enemies. Pepin quickly made peace with Ebroin's replacement, Waratton.

Later, Waratton's replacement, Berchar, and the Neustrian king Theuderic III went to war against Austrasia. Theuderic III had been the king of all the Franks since 679. In 687, the king and his mayor were soundly defeated at the Battle of Tertry. Berchar and Theuderic went back to Paris. Pepin followed them and made them sign a peace treaty. The treaty said that Berchar had to leave his job. Pepin then became mayor in all three Frankish kingdoms: Austrasia, Neustria, and Burgundy. He began to call himself the Duke and Prince of the Franks.

Pepin as Duke and Prince

The people of Neustria did not like having an Austrasian ruler very much. But Pepin chose to ignore these local problems to focus on Germany. Over the next few years, Pepin brought the Alemanni, Frisians, and Franconians under Frankish control. Between 690 and 692, the city of Utrecht was captured. This gave the Franks control of important trade routes on the Rhine River to the North Sea. Pepin also supported the work of Willibrord, a missionary. In 695, he made his son Drogo the mayor of Burgundy. He made his other son, Grimoald, the mayor of Neustria.

Around 670, Pepin married Plectrude. She owned a lot of land in the Moselle region. Plectrude was the mother of Drogo of Champagne and Grimoald II. Both of them died before their father. Pepin also had another partner, Alpaida (or Chalpaida). She had two more sons with him: Charles Martel and Childebrand.

Pepin's Death and What Happened Next

Just before Pepin died, Plectrude convinced him to choose her grandson, Theudoald, as his heir. Theudoald was the son of Pepin and Plectrude's son Grimoald. He was still a young child, which meant Plectrude could easily control him. Pepin died suddenly on December 16, 714, at the age of 79, in Jupille (in modern Belgium).

Pepin's grandchildren through Plectrude claimed they were his rightful successors. With Plectrude's help, they tried to keep the position of mayor of the palace after Pepin's death. However, Charles (Pepin's son with Alpaida) had become popular among the Austrasians. This was mainly because of his military skills and his ability to get them valuable goods from his conquests. Plectrude tried to stop Charles by putting him in prison. But Charles became the only mayor of the palace and the real ruler of Francia. This happened after a civil war that lasted more than three years after Pepin's death.

Pepin in Culture

In 2018, a Dutch company called Farmhouse released a movie called Redbad (film). The movie is based on the historical figure Redbad, King of the Frisians. Roel Reiné directed it. Jonathan Banks played Pepin of Herstal, who is the main villain in the movie.

See also

In Spanish: Pipino de Heristal para niños