Theudebert I facts for kids
.jpg)
Theudebert I (born around 500 – died 547 or 548) was a king of the Merovingian family. He ruled a part of the Frankish kingdom called Austrasia from 533 until his death. Theudebert was the son of Theuderic I and the father of Theudebald.
Contents
A Young Warrior King
Theudebert showed he was a strong fighter even when his father was king. In 516, he defeated a Danish army. This army, led by King Chlochilaich (also known as Hygelac from the Beowulf story), had attacked northern Gaul. Theudebert also gained fame by leading many military campaigns against the Visigoths in a region called Septimania.
Becoming King
When his father died, Theudebert had to fight his uncles, Childebert and Clotaire I, to become king. He was a very skilled warrior, and this helped him. Childebert eventually decided to stop fighting and accepted Theudebert as the new ruler. Theudebert and Childebert then fought against Clotaire. However, a big storm hit their armies, and they decided to make peace.
The Gothic War and New Power
After the Frankish kings settled their differences, Theudebert became involved in the Gothic War. This war started when the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I tried to take control of Italy from the Ostrogoths. Justinian thought Theudebert would be a good ally because Austrasia was next to the Ostrogoths' land in northern Italy.
An Unreliable Ally
The emperor paid Theudebert a lot of money for his help. However, Theudebert did not prove to be a trustworthy friend. The Frankish armies saw the war in Italy as a chance to get rich by taking things. They also wanted to claim parts of northern Italy for themselves. Because of this, the Byzantines ended up fighting the Franks almost as much as they fought the Ostrogoths.
A King's Own Coins
Theudebert seemed to enjoy his growing power in Europe. His letters show that he claimed many lands around Austrasia, even lands that belonged to the Byzantine Empire. Before Theudebert, Frankish kings usually showed respect to the Byzantine Emperor. But Theudebert did not see himself as a lesser leader. For example, he broke an old rule by making gold coins with his own image on them. Earlier Frankish kings had always used the emperor's image on their gold coins. It is not surprising that some people in Constantinople, the Byzantine capital, thought Theudebert might be planning to invade their lands.
Family Life and Faith
Like other Frankish rulers of his time, Theudebert had several wives. He married them when he wanted to. To secure his claim to the throne, he was first promised to Wisigard. She was the daughter of Wacho, the king of the Lombards. This kind of political marriage was not common for Merovingian kings.
Marriages and Decisions
Theudebert left Wisigard for a woman named Deuteria. He had met her during a military campaign in southern Gaul. However, his supporters were not happy about how he treated Wisigard. This might have been because of the important political connection. They convinced Theudebert to take Wisigard back. But Wisigard died soon after, and Theudebert married again.
Supporting the Church
Besides being known for his military skills, Theudebert was also praised for supporting the Gallic (French) Church. A writer named Gregory of Tours spoke highly of him for this. Another writer, Fortunatus, also mentioned Theudebert's strong faith.
The End of His Reign
Theudebert died in the 14th year of his rule, either in late 547 or early 548. He was killed by a bison while he was on a hunting trip. His son, Theudebald, whose mother was Deuteria, became king after him. Unlike many other Merovingian kings, Theudebald took the throne peacefully.
Images for kids
-
A robot for kids.
