The Assassination of Sigebert I and the Survival of Childebert II (575 CE)

By 575 CE, Sigebert I has nearly defeated Chilperic I, seizing most of Neustria and being proclaimed king by Chilperic's subjects at Vitry, a key Neustrian stronghold. However, at the moment of his greatest triumph, he is assassinated by agents of Fredegund, abruptly altering the course of Frankish history.

1. The Acclamation of Sigebert at Vitry (575 CE)

• With Chilperic in hiding at Tournai, Sigebert is declared king of Neustria by its nobles and subjects.
• Vitry, a significant Neustrian seat of power, is chosen over Arras, where Chilperic had ruled.
• Sigebert is raised on the shield, following Frankish royal tradition, symbolizing his official acceptance as king.

2. The Assassination by Fredegund’s Agents

• At the moment of his triumph, two assassins, reportedly acting on orders from Fredegund, strike him down.
• The assassination is swift and unexpected, preventing him from fully consolidating his rule over Neustria.
• With Sigebert’s death, Chilperic is saved from certain defeat, allowing him to reclaim Neustria.

3. The Struggle for Childebert II’s Inheritance

• Sigebert’s young son, Childebert II, is now the rightful king of Austrasia.
• Chilperic attempts to seize his lands, taking advantage of Sigebert’s sudden death.
• However, Guntram, King of Burgundy, intervenes to protect Childebert, preventing Chilperic from claiming Austrasia.
• Guntram acts as a mediator, ensuring that the Merovingian civil war does not escalate further.

4. The Aftermath and the Continued Blood Feud

• Brunhild, Sigebert’s widow, becomes the regent for Childebert II, taking control of Austrasia.
• She vows vengeance against Fredegund and Chilperic, ensuring that their rivalry continues.
• The conflict between Neustria and Austrasia persists, dominating Frankish politics for decades.

Conclusion: A Turning Point in the Merovingian Civil War

The assassination of Sigebert I in 575 CE is a pivotal moment in Frankish history, dramatically shifting the balance of power:

• Fredegund’s cunning saves Chilperic from certain defeat, allowing him to regain control of Neustria.
• Childebert II, under the protection of Guntram, survives to rule Austrasia, keeping the Merovingian civil war alive.
• Brunhild and Fredegund’s rivalry intensifies, ensuring decades of dynastic bloodshed, political intrigue, and assassinations.

Sigebert’s premature death prevents the unification of Austrasia and Neustria, prolonging the fragmentation and internecine conflicts that define the Merovingian dynasty.

The Seclusion of the Infant Chlothar II (584 CE)

Following the assassination of Chilperic I in 584 CE, his posthumous son, Chlothar II, is placed under the protection of his mother, Fredegund. According to Gregory of Tours, Fredegund removes the infant king from Cambrai and sends him to Vitry to be raised in seclusion and security.

1. The Circumstances of Chlothar II’s Birth and His Perilous Position

• Chlothar II is born shortly after his father’s murder, making him the last direct heir to Chilperic’s throne.
• His mother, Fredegund, a powerful and ruthless figure, acts as his regent, ensuring his survival.
• With Neustria vulnerable, Fredegund fears that Chlothar’s rivals, particularly Brunhild of Austrasia and Guntram of Burgundy, might seek to eliminate him.

2. The Decision to Hide Chlothar at Vitry

• To protect the infant king, Fredegund sends him to Vitry, where he is raised in secrecy and security.
• This move keeps him safe from potential assassins, allowing Fredegund to strengthen her position as regent.
• Despite his temporary removal from the political scene, Fredegund remains active in governing Neustria in his name.

3. The Political Survival of Chlothar II

• Under Fredegund’s regency, Chlothar’s Neustrian kingdom is preserved despite the threats from Austrasia and Burgundy.
• In 597 CE, upon Fredegund’s death, Chlothar assumes direct rule, later uniting the Frankish kingdom in 613 CE after defeating Brunhild’s forces.

Conclusion: The Hidden King Who Would Reunite Francia

Chlothar II’s early seclusion at Vitry, arranged by Fredegund, ensures his survival during one of the most turbulent periods of Merovingian history. Though hidden from the political arena as an infant, he eventually emerges as a powerful king, playing a crucial role in the final struggles of the Merovingian dynasty and the eventual reunification of the Frankish kingdom.