Theudebert I
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Theudebert I (French: Thibert or Théodebert) (c. 500 – 547 or 548) was the Merovingian king of Metz, Rheims, or Austrasia—as it's variously called—from 533 to his death in 548. His chief residence was Rheims in northeast Gaul.
He was the son of Theuderic I, king of Metz. In 533, he married Deuteria, a Gallo-Roman. Later, he abandoned Deuteria to marry Wisigarda (daughter of Wacho, king of the Lombards). His children were Theudebald and Berthoara.
C. 516, he defeated the Scandinavian King Chlochilaich (a.k.a. Hygelac of Beowulf) who had invaded his realm.
In the year 532, Theudebert completed, together with Gunthar (son of his uncle King Clotaire I of Soissons), the reconquest of territories held by his grandfather Clovis I, which had been taken by the Goths following Clovis' death. After the death of Theuderic at the end of 534, Theudebert inherited his father's possessions, prevailing against the claims of his uncles King Childebert I of Paris and Clotaire. The childless Childebert then allied himself with his nephew, and split with him the inheritance of Chlodomer's lands in Burgundy. Soon afterward, he adopted Theudebert.
The Merovingian kings then joined to fight the Ostrogoths. Allying himself with the Gepids and the Lombards (through Wisigarda's marriage), Theudebert won the northern provinces as well as Rhaetia. Large parts of Venice were taken in 545, but Theudebert's party avoided a confrontation with the Byzantine Emperor.
Theudebert displayed both the gifts of his family and its flaws: high statesmanship and unruly sensualism, unthinking lust for power mixed with intelligent power politics and perfidiousness. He celebrated his coronation with the striking of gold coins with his own picture (as opposed to the Emperor's) and the staging of circus performances in Arles.
Theudebert died in the 14th year of his reign (at the end of 547 or the beginning of 548) and his son Theudebald succeeded him.
[edit] See also
- Franks (main history of Frankish kingdoms)
- List of Frankish Kings
- Merovingians
| Merovingian Dynasty Born: 500
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| Preceded by: Theuderic I |
King of Rheims 534–548 |
Succeeded by: Theodobald |
