Chilperic II, Frankish king (b. 672)

Chilperic II: The Merovingian King Who Challenged the Rise of Charles Martel

Chilperic II, born around 672 and passing on 13 February 721, stands as a compelling figure in the twilight years of the Merovingian dynasty. Initially known by his monastic name Daniel, he was the youngest son of Childeric II, a Frankish king, and his half-cousin, Bilichild. His reign marked a turbulent period, first as King of Neustria from 715 and subsequently as the nominal sole King of the Franks from 718 until his death.

From Monastery to Monarchy: Daniel's Unexpected Ascension

The early life of Chilperic II was shaped by the brutal realities of Merovingian power struggles. As an infant, he was clandestinely removed and placed in a monastery, a common practice to safeguard royal children from the often-lethal internecine feuding that characterized the era. This strategic move protected him from the constant rivalries among the Frankish nobility and within his own family, which frequently led to assassination or usurpation, a hallmark of the declining Merovingian influence known as the "Age of the Mayors."

Within the cloistered walls, he was raised as Daniel, far removed from the political machinations of the secular world. This monastic seclusion lasted until 715, when the death of Dagobert III, the reigning Merovingian king, created a power vacuum. At the advanced age of forty-three, an unusually late age for a Merovingian to assume the throne, Daniel was dramatically brought forth from the monastery. He was then "raised on the shield" by the Neustrian warriors and nobility, a traditional Germanic acclamation ritual signifying popular support and legitimizing his claim to kingship by physically elevating him. Upon his coronation, he adopted the royal name Chilperic, consciously linking himself to earlier Merovingian rulers. However, his monastic upbringing profoundly influenced his character, setting him apart from his namesake, Chilperic I, who was known for his ruthlessness and ambition, suggesting a different approach to kingship.

Chilperic II's Initial Resistance: A King Defying Expectations

Initially, Chilperic II was perceived by many as a mere puppet, a figurehead to be controlled by the powerful Neustrian Mayor of the Palace, Ragenfrid. Ragenfrid had been acclaimed in 714, challenging the succession of Theudoald, the designated heir of Pepin of Heristal. This period, following Pepin of Heristal's death, plunged the Frankish kingdom into a severe civil war, primarily a struggle between the various factions vying for control of the Mayoralty of the Palace, the true seat of power that overshadowed the Merovingian kings.

Defying these expectations, Chilperic II proved to be a formidable and independent monarch. Unlike many of his "roi fainéant" (do-nothing king) predecessors who were largely symbolic, he was a proactive leader and a courageous warrior, consistently leading his troops from the front lines in battle. This active role in military affairs was a stark contrast to the typical Merovingian king of the 8th century, who often remained cloistered while the Mayors of the Palace held de facto power.

In 716, Chilperic II and Ragenfrid mounted a significant campaign into Austrasia, then embroiled in a succession dispute between Plectrude, acting on behalf of her young grandson Theudoald, and Charles Martel, Pepin of Heristal's illegitimate but militarily gifted son. The Neustrians, forming a strategic alliance with Radbod, the powerful King of the Frisians, confronted Charles Martel's forces. This combined army met Charles in a decisive engagement near Cologne, a city then under Plectrude's control, often referred to as the First Battle of Cologne. Chilperic II emerged victorious, forcing Charles Martel to retreat into the rugged Eifel mountains. Following this triumph, the king and his mayor besieged Plectrude in Cologne. Recognizing Chilperic as the legitimate king, Plectrude capitulated, surrendering the substantial Austrasian treasury and abandoning her grandson's claim to the mayoralty, a major victory for Chilperic and Neustria that momentarily solidified his position.

The Tide Turns: Charles Martel's Ascendance and Chilperic's Decline

The momentum, however, shifted dramatically against Chilperic II. As he and Ragenfrid were leading their victorious army back to Neustria, Charles Martel launched a surprise attack. In the pivotal Battle of Amblève, near Malmedy, Charles thoroughly routed the triumphant Neustrian forces. This ambush, occurring while the Neustrians were seemingly relaxed after their victory, marked a significant turning point in the Frankish civil war, demonstrating Charles Martel's strategic brilliance.

From this point onward, Charles Martel demonstrated unparalleled military prowess, remaining virtually undefeated. He relentlessly pursued a series of campaigns across Neustrian territory, systematically eroding Chilperic's authority and subduing his strong will. The balance of power was irreversibly shifting towards the emerging Carolingian dynasty, spearheaded by Charles Martel, who would soon become the dominant force in the Frankish realm.

Submission and the Return of the "Roi Fainéant"

In 717, Charles Martel returned to Neustria with a formidable army, solidifying his supremacy with a decisive victory at the Battle of Vincy, near Cambrai. He chased the fleeing King Chilperic and Mayor Ragenfrid all the way to Paris before turning his attention back to Plectrude and securing his control over Cologne. Having achieved this, Charles Martel strategically proclaimed Chlothar IV as King of Austrasia, directly challenging Chilperic's legitimacy and fragmenting his claim to the sole kingship of the Franks.

In a desperate move in 718, Chilperic II forged an alliance with Odo the Great, the semi-independent Duke of Aquitaine, who had capitalized on the Frankish civil war to assert his autonomy. Despite this alliance, Chilperic was once again decisively defeated by Charles Martel at the Battle of Soissons. This crushing defeat forced the king to flee south of the Loire with Duke Odo, while Ragenfrid sought refuge in Angers. Shortly thereafter, Chlothar IV died, removing Charles's puppet king from the political chessboard.

Facing insurmountable odds, Odo the Great abandoned his support for Chilperic. In a significant political maneuver, Chilperic II formally surrendered his remaining political power to Charles Martel in 718. In exchange for Charles recognizing Chilperic's kingship over all the Franks – albeit as a symbolic gesture, providing a veneer of Merovingian legitimacy to Carolingian control – Chilperic acknowledged Charles as the Mayor over all the kingdoms, effectively making Charles Martel the de facto ruler of the entire Frankish realm. This act solidified Charles Martel's authority and relegated Chilperic II to the status of a ceremonial monarch, a stark return to the "roi fainéant" role he had initially defied.

Legacy: The Last Act of an Active Merovingian

In 719, Chilperic II was officially re-acclaimed "raised on the shield" as King of all the Franks, a final ceremonial gesture confirming his nominal sovereignty under Charles Martel's firm control. However, he survived only for another year, dying in 721 at Attigny, a royal residence, and subsequently buried in Noyon, a significant Merovingian burial site. His successors would indeed be mere "rois fainéants," a term meaning "do-nothing kings" (literally "lazy kings"), whose authority was entirely eclipsed by the burgeoning power of the Carolingian Mayors of the Palace, a lineage that would eventually seize the throne itself under Pepin the Short. While it remains uncertain and subject to historical debate, some historical speculation links Chilperic II as a potential father to Childeric III, the very last Merovingian king, further tying his lineage to the dynasty's ultimate demise.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chilperic II

Who was Chilperic II?
Chilperic II was a Merovingian King who reigned over Neustria from 715 and nominally over all Franks from 718 until his death in 721. He was notably one of the last Merovingian kings to actively participate in military and political affairs, despite the rising power of the Mayors of the Palace.
What was Chilperic II's original name?
Prior to his coronation and ascension to the throne, Chilperic II was known by his monastic name, Daniel. He adopted the royal name Chilperic upon becoming king, a common practice for Merovingian monarchs.
How did Chilperic II become king?
He was unexpectedly brought out of a monastery at the age of 43 in 715, following the death of Dagobert III. He was then "raised on the shield" by Neustrian warriors, a traditional Germanic ceremony, signifying his popular acclamation as king.
What role did the "Mayor of the Palace" play during Chilperic II's reign?
The Mayor of the Palace had become the de facto ruler of the Frankish kingdoms, wielding significant political and military power while the Merovingian kings often held only symbolic authority. Chilperic II initially tried to assert his independence from the Neustrian Mayor, Ragenfrid, but ultimately had to cede real power to Charles Martel, the Austrasian Mayor of the Palace, who effectively became the true ruler.
Who was Charles Martel and what was his relationship with Chilperic II?
Charles Martel was the powerful Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia and the illegitimate son of Pepin of Heristal. He was Chilperic II's primary adversary in the Frankish civil war that followed Pepin's death. Charles Martel ultimately defeated Chilperic II in a series of decisive battles, forcing the king to surrender his political authority and effectively establishing Carolingian dominance over the Frankish realm.
What does "roi fainéant" mean in the context of Chilperic II?
"Roi fainéant" is a French term meaning "do-nothing king" or "lazy king." While Chilperic II initially showed strong leadership and actively participated in battles, his eventual defeat by Charles Martel and the subsequent surrender of his political power relegated him to the status of a symbolic "roi fainéant." This solidified Charles Martel's authority and paved the way for the ultimate end of the Merovingian dynasty.