Chilperic II

Biography

Chilperic II (c. 672 – 13 February 721) was King of the Franks from 715 until he died. His reign was during one of the most chaotic times in Merovingian history. Born to Childeric II and his half-cousin wife Bilichild, Chilperic faced tragedy early on when both his parents and his eldest brother Dagobert were killed in 675 during the violent political unrest of late seventh-century Francia. As an infant during these events, Chilperic was secretly taken to a monastery where he lived under the name Daniel for forty years, completely apart from politics while the Frankish kingdoms were controlled by powerful mayors of the palace.

In 715, after Dagobert III died, the forty-three-year-old monk was pulled from his religious life and made king by Neustrian nobles who wanted a legitimate Merovingian ruler to counter the Austrasian succession crisis. Ragenfrid, the mayor of the palace, had been backed in 714 against Theudoald, Pepin of Heristal's designated heir, and hoped to use Chilperic as a useful figurehead for Neustrian aims. However, Chilperic turned out to be more than just a puppet ruler, showing real military leadership and political savvy despite his monastic background.

Chilperic's time as king was full of warfare against Charles Martel, the illegitimate son of Pepin of Heristal, who aimed to reunite the Frankish kingdoms under Austrasian control. In 716, Chilperic and Ragenfrid launched a successful invasion of Austrasia, teaming up with Radbod, King of the Frisians. They defeated Charles Martel near Cologne, forcing him to retreat to the Eifel mountains while Plectrude, acting for Theudoald, recognized Chilperic as king and handed over the Austrasian treasury. This victory marked the peak of Chilperic's military success and seemed to establish Neustrian dominance over the Frankish lands.

However, Charles Martel's tactical skills soon changed the situation. As Chilperic and Ragenfrid headed back to Neustria with their triumphant army, Charles ambushed them near Malmedy in the Battle of Amblève, defeating the Neustrian forces. This began a series of campaigns that eventually confined Chilperic to a shrinking territory. The defining defeat came in 717 at the Battle of Vincy near Cambrai, where Charles's victory gave him control over both Austrasia and much of Neustria. From then on, Chilperic remained king in title only, while Charles Martel held the real power in Francia until Chilperic died in Noyon on 13 February 721.