The Fall of Grimoald the Elder and the Execution of Childebert the Adopted (657 CE)

Following the death of Sigebert III in 656 CE, Grimoald the Elder, Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia, attempts to usurp the Merovingian throne by installing his own son, Childebert the Adopted, as king. However, his coup provokes widespread opposition from the Neustrian monarchy, leading to his capture and execution by Clovis II, King of Neustria.

1. The Usurpation of the Austrasian Throne (656 CE)

• After exiling Dagobert II to an Irish monastery, Grimoald places his son, Childebert the Adopted, on the throne of Austrasia.
• This move violates the Merovingian tradition of hereditary rule, alarming both Neustrian and Austrasian nobles, as the Mayors of the Palace were meant to serve, not rule.
• The usurpation marks the first major attempt by an aristocratic faction to replace the Merovingian dynasty, setting a precedent for later Carolingian ambitions.

2. The Neustrians Retaliate: The Capture and Execution of Grimoald and Childebert

• Clovis II of Neustria, viewing Grimoald’s actions as an existential threat to Merovingian legitimacy, orders his arrest.
• Grimoald is captured, possibly betrayed by Austrasian nobles who remained loyal to the Merovingian line.
• Childebert the Adopted is also seized, bringing an abrupt end to his short-lived reign in Austrasia.
• Both are executed in 657 CE, decisively restoring Merovingian rule over Austrasia.

3. The Aftermath: The Merovingians Reassert Control

• With Grimoald dead, the Neustrian rulers, led by Clovis II and his successor, Chlothar III, reestablish Neustrian dominance over Austrasia.
• Austrasia falls under the control of Neustrian-backed mayors, weakening the autonomy of the Austrasian nobility—at least temporarily.
• The Merovingian dynasty survives, though its power continues to decline in favor of the Mayors of the Palace.

4. The Long-Term Impact: A Prelude to Carolingian Rule

• Though Grimoald’s attempt to replace the Merovingians fails, his actions demonstrate that real power now lies with the Mayors of the Palace, not the kings themselves.
• This event foreshadows the successful Carolingian coup of the 8th century, when Pepin the Short, another Austrasian Mayor of the Palace, will finally depose the last Merovingian king.

Conclusion: A Failed Usurpation but a Sign of Things to Come

The capture and execution of Grimoald the Elder and Childebert the Adopted in 657 CE restore Merovingian rule over Austrasia, but they also reveal the growing weakness of the monarchy. Although Clovis II successfully removes the usurpers, the Neustrian and Austrasian nobility continue to erode royal authority, paving the way for the eventual rise of the Carolingians and the end of the Merovingian dynasty.