Dagobert I Secures His Realm and Expels Non-Converted Jews

Following the death of his half-brother Charibert II in 632 CE, Dagobert I consolidates power, securing his rule through diplomacy, military campaigns, and religious policies. His reign marks the last strong Merovingian kingship before the decline of royal authority in favor of the Mayors of the Palace.

1. Diplomatic Alliance with the Byzantine Empire

• Dagobert strengthens Frankish diplomacy by forming a friendship treaty with Emperor Heraclius of Byzantium.
• This alliance provides mutual strategic benefits:
  • Heraclius gains Frankish support against the advancing Muslim forces in the east.
  • Dagobert gains recognition as the dominant Western European ruler, reinforcing his legitimacy and authority.

2. Military Campaigns: Securing Frankish Borders

To stabilize and expand his realm, Dagobert wages three significant military campaigns:

• Defeat of the Gascons (Vascones) in the Pyrenees
  • Dagobert subjugates the Basque tribes, reinforcing Frankish control over Gascony and the southwestern frontier.
• War Against the Bretons
  • Dagobert defeats the Bretons, who had long resisted Frankish rule in western Gaul.
• Eastern Campaign Against the Slavs
  • Facing Slavic incursions along the Frankish eastern frontier, Dagobert leads a campaign against them, securing Austrasia’s borderlands.

These successful military operations reinforce Dagobert’s image as a strong Merovingian king, ensuring the stability of the Frankish realm.

3. Forced Conversions and the Expulsion of Jews

• Encouraged by Emperor Heraclius, Dagobert issues an ultimatum to the Jews:
  • Convert to Christianity or face exile.
• This policy leads to the expulsion of all non-converted Jews from Frankish lands, marking one of the first large-scale forced conversions or expulsions of Jews in medieval Europe.
• The edict aligns with Heraclius’ own anti-Jewish policies, as the Byzantine emperor had recently blamed the Jews for supporting Persian invasions in the East.
• This breaks the relative tolerance of previous Frankish rulers, marking a shift toward greater religious uniformity under royal and ecclesiastical authority.

4. The Decline of Royal Authority After Dagobert

• While Dagobert secures the realm militarily and diplomatically, his reign marks the last period of strong Merovingian kingship.
• After his death in 639 CE, the Mayors of the Palace begin to dominate Frankish politics, leading to the emergence of the "do-nothing kings" (rois fainéants).

Conclusion: The Last Strong Merovingian King

Dagobert I’s reign is marked by military victories, diplomatic alliances, and religious enforcement. By securing alliances with Byzantium, defeating regional opponents, and enforcing Christian uniformity, he strengthens the Frankish kingdom, though his policies—especially his anti-Jewish decree—foreshadow the rise of religious persecution in medieval Europe. His death in 639 CE paves the way for the decline of Merovingian royal authority, setting the stage for the Carolingian takeover in the following century.