This profile of Childebert I is part of
Who's Who in Medieval History
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Childebert I was known for:

Ruling a segment of Frankish Gaul and expanding Frankish territory with the help of his brothers. Childebert was also responsible for the murder of two of his nephews.

Occupations:

King
Military Leader

Places of Residence and Influence:

Europe
France

Important Dates:

Born:c. 498
Died:Dec. 23, 558

About Childebert I:

Childebert was the second son of Clovis and Clotilda. His elder brother was Chlodomer, and his younger brother was Chlotar. Childebert also had an older half-brother, Theuderic.

After Clovis died in 511, his kingdom was partitioned into four pieces to be governed by his four sons. Although this has been viewed as following Frankish custom, it is possible that the idea of dividing the land was Clotilda's, in order to keep her stepson Theuderic from ruling the entire kingdom as Clovis' firstborn son. Childebert received territory in northwestern France, from Brittany up to the Somme River, and he took Paris as his capital.

In 523 Childebert joined Chlodomer and Chlotar in attacking Burgundy; although they were successful in defeating the Burgundians and in capturing and executing their king, Sigismund, they did not annex the territory. Sigismund's brother Godomer became king and retained control over Burgundy. The following year, Chlodomer and Theuderic invaded Burgundy again; although they were victorious in battle, Chlodomer died in the attempt, and Godomer regained his kingdom.

Eventually, Childebert and Chlotar would successfully conquer Burgundy, and divide it between them in 534.

Upon the death of Chlodomer, his three sons Theodoald, Gunther and Chlodovald were sent to live with Clotilda. It wasn't long before Childebert recognized that they posed a political threat. According to the History of the Franks by Gregory of Tours, Childebert and Chlotar tricked their mother into sending the boys to them so that they might be "raised to the throne." Instead they killed Theodoald and Gunther. Chlodovald escaped, "freed by the aid of brave men," and joined the Church. Gregory maintains that the murder was Childebert's idea, but that he had second thoughts, and was goaded into carrying out his plan by Chlotar, who showed no mercy.

After the death of the boys, Childebert and Chlotar divided Chlodomer's territory equally among themselves and their brother Theuderic.

In 531 Childebert campaigned against the Visigoths, who at this time still governed a strip of land along the coast between the Pyrenees Mountains and the Rhone River. He saw little success; but when he returned to invade Spain in 542, this time with the aid of Chlotar, he brought back the martyred Saint Vincent's tunic. Childebert housed this relic in a new abbey in Paris that would later be called Saint-Germain-des-Pres.

Through a treaty with the Ostrogoths, Childbert was able to add Provence to his holdings in 536.

Childebert had no sons. After he died on December 23, 558, his lands were taken over by Chlotar.

 

More Childebert I Resources:

Childebert I in Print
The links below will take you to a site where you can compare prices at booksellers across the web. More in-depth info about the book may be found by clicking on to the book's page at one of the online merchants.

The Franks
by Edward James

A History of the Franks
(Penguin Classics)
by Gregory of Tours

Early Europe

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