The Assassination of Chilperic I and the Rise of Fredegund as Regent (584 CE)

After twenty-three years of rule, Chilperic I, King of Neustria, is stabbed to death while returning from a hunt near Chelles in 584 CE. His assassination plunges Neustria into political turmoil, but his widow, Fredegund, seizes power, ensuring that her infant son, Chlothar II, is recognized as the rightful heir.

1. Chilperic’s Rule and the Expansion of Neustria

• Chilperic’s realm stretches from Aquitaine to the northern seacoast, making him one of the most powerful Merovingian rulers.
• He had ruthlessly pursued power, engaging in bitter wars with his half-brother Sigebert I of Austrasia and later with Guntram of Burgundy.
• His reign was marked by oppressive taxation, Church conflicts, and dynastic bloodshed, earning him the hatred of both his subjects and his rivals.

2. Chilperic’s Assassination Near Chelles (584 CE)

• While returning from a hunt, Chilperic is stabbed to death under mysterious circumstances.
• Fredegund, his wife, is widely believed to have financed the assassination, likely to secure power for herself and their young son, Chlothar II.
• The assassination is one of the many violent power struggles within the Merovingian dynasty, further deepening the civil wars that plagued Frankish Gaul.

The Revolt Against Charles the Simple (922): The Breaking Point

By 922, Charles the Simple has increasingly alienated his West Frankish nobles, particularly through his favoritism toward Hagano, a low-ranking Lotharingian noble who had become his closest advisor. The final straw comes when Charles grants the town of Chelles to Hagano, despite the fact that it is already held by Rothilde, daughter of Charles the Bald, prompting the nobility to rise in rebellion.

Growing Resentment Among the Nobility

• Hagano’s influence at court has been a source of noble discontent for years, as Charles granted him monastic benefices and lands at the expense of powerful lords.
• The loss of Richard of Burgundy in 921, one of Charles’ most loyal supporters, further weakens royal authority, leaving Charles politically vulnerable.
• The grant of Chelles to Hagano in 922—directly infringing on Rothilde’s holdings—is seen as an unjust violation of noble rights.

The West Frankish Revolt Against Charles (922)

• Enraged by Hagano’s growing power, the West Frankish barons rise in open rebellion against Charles.
• This revolt is not merely about Chelles, but a culmination of Charles’ alienation of the nobility.
• Charles now faces a full-scale aristocratic uprising, led by Robert of Neustria, the younger brother of King Odo and the most powerful noble in West Francia.

Consequences of the Revolt

• Charles' authority collapses as more nobles join Robert of Neustria, who is soon proclaimed king in opposition to Charles.
• This leads to the final confrontation between the Carolingians and the Robertians, marking a major turning point in the decline of Carolingian rule.
• With the loss of noble support, Charles’ reign is effectively doomed, paving the way for his eventual capture and imprisonment in 923.

Conclusion: The Beginning of the End for Carolingian Rule in West Francia

Charles’ favoritism toward Hagano, coupled with his alienation of the nobility, directly leads to his overthrow in 922. With Robert of Neustria rising in rebellion, the Carolingian dynasty in West Francia is on the brink of collapse, setting the stage for dynastic change and the transition to the Capetian era.