Grimoald the Elder
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Pippinids
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Arnulfings
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Carolingians
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After the Treaty of Verdun (843)
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Grimoald I (616-662), called the Elder (in French, Grimaud) was the Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia from 643 to 656. He was the son of Pepin of Landen and Itta. Grimoald served under the Merovingian kings Clovis II and Clotaire III.
With the death of Pepin of Landen in 640, Grimoald became the head of his household, the most powerful in Austrasia. At this time, Radulf, duke of Thuringia, rebelled against Sigebert III, king of Austrasia. Grimoald participated in the ensuing expedition against the insurrection, but it was a failure. Nevertheless, Grimoald succeeded in saving the life of the king and became his close friend. Then, by removing the mayor of the palace, Otto, he took over the position which his father once held.
Grimoald then convinced the childless king to adopt as his son Grimoald's son, named Childebert at his baptism. Sigebert eventually had an heir, Dagobert II, but Grimoald feared the fate of his own dynasty and exiled the young Dagobert to either an Irish monastery or the cathedral school of Poitiers. Upon Sigebert's death, Grimoald put his son on the throne.
There are two differing accounts of his death, however. Either the king of Neustria, Clovis II, and his mayor of the palace, Erchinoald, captured and executed him in 657 or Clotaire III of Neustria annexed Austrasia in 661, deposing the young usurper and executing them both the next year.
| Preceded by: Otto |
Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia 643–656 |
Succeeded by: Wulfoald |
