Childeric II

Childeric II, born in six hundred fifty-five, was a prominent monarch of the Franks during the seventh century. He ascended to the throne of Austrasia in six hundred sixty-two and later ruled over Neustria and Burgundy from six hundred seventy-three until his untimely death, ultimately becoming the sole king for the last two years of his life.

As the second eldest son of King Clovis II and the grandson of King Dagobert I and Queen Nanthild, Childeric was raised in a royal lineage. His mother, Saint Balthild, and his elder brother, Chlothar III, played significant roles in his early life. Chlothar briefly held the title of sole king in six hundred sixty-one but ceded Austrasia to Childeric the following year, when Childeric was still a child, symbolically raised on the shields of his warriors.

Childeric's marriage to his cousin Bilichild resulted in the birth of two sons: Dagobert and the future king Chilperic II. Following the death of his brother Chlothar in six hundred seventy-three, Childeric was invited to reclaim the throne of Neustria and Burgundy amidst a rebellion against Theuderic III, his youngest brother. He successfully invaded and displaced Theuderic, establishing himself as the sole king.

However, his reign was marred by controversy, particularly his decision to impose corporal punishment on a nobleman named Bodilo. This act led to a conspiracy against him, resulting in his assassination while hunting in the forest of Livry, alongside his wife and young son Dagobert. Childeric's surviving son, Chilperic, was raised in a monastery, while Childeric, Bilichild, and Dagobert were interred in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, near Paris, where their tombs were later discovered in sixteen forty-five.