Dagobert the 11. King of France. Anno 632.
DAgobert being possessed of the Crowne Anno Dom. 632. not∣withstanding the oppositions of Brunulph, Vncle and governour of Aribert, he assigned him the Countries of Aquitan and Guienne for his mainte∣nance, whereunto he gave the stile and Page 45 title of a Kingdome, and bounded it with the River Loire, and the Pyrenian Mountaines. After that he laboured to polish his Kingdome, administring justice to every man. In the ninth yeare of his reigne, which was the third yeare after the decease of his Father, he captivated himselfe to vices, and voluptuousnesse, in such sort, that hee grew infamous, although hee seemed much devoted to the Abby of St. De∣nis, which he caused to be built, and enriched it with the pillaging of o∣ther Churches.
In the interim, King Aribert de∣ceased the seventh yeare of his reigne, leaving a sonne called Chilperic, who survived him but few dayes, of whose death Dagobert was strongly suspect∣ed. Hee immediately united the Kingdome of Aquitan to the Monar∣chy of France, and dismembred the Dukedome of Almania into divers parts, as Munster affirmes. Hee released the Saxons of a yearely Tri∣bute Page 46 of five hundred Cowes, which they payed to those of Austrasia, up∣on condition that they should keepe the Sclavonians out of the Domini∣ons of France.
After this hee crowned his sonne Sigisbert King of Austrasia. But be∣cause that in the 12 yeare of his reigne, Clovis, or Lewis was borne by his wife Nentilde, he confirmed the kingdom of Austracy upon Sigisbert, and designed the occidentall part of his Kingdome, called Neustria, together with that of Burgundy, to his sonne Clovis. At that time Radulphe Duke, and governour of Thuringia, for King Dagobert would needes oppose himselfe against Ansigise Maire of the Palace of Austracy, and make himselfe King; but in vaine. Af∣terwards Dagobert combated victori∣ously the rebellious Gascognes, and in∣tending as much to the Bretons Iudicael did him homage for his Kingdome. Lastly, he deceased with a Flux the 19. or, as others affirme, the 29 of Ianuary, Page 47 Anno Dom. 647. sixteene yeares after the decease of his Father. Hee lyes inhumedat St. Denis: with this King dyed the splendour of the Kings of France, and the power of the Maires of the Palace beganne to take a dangerous and pernicious roote.
The Character of this King may bee thus drawne: He was better furnished with vertue than his education promi∣sed: he strained the Kingdome by Iu∣stice, and brought it to moderation, and obedience; the state thereof be∣ingtoo much slackned by his fathers le∣nity, and as he had tun'd the govern∣ment to yeeld a vertuous harmony, he grew into the opinion of his Sub∣jects, by his affection to Piety, which he made to shine most cleare and evi∣dent, by building and enriching many Temples, especially St. Denis, honour'd since by being the constant Sepulchre where the Kings of France lye buried. He banished also the Iewes out of his Territories. But these resplendant ver∣tues Page 48 were darkened and disgraced by the foule sinne of Adultery, whereby he grew infamous to his Subjects and Strangers, and was so confirmed in this vice, that Anand Bishop of Paris perswading his Conversion, was therefore banished. But his reason was awaked by Pepius constant repre∣hension, to whom banishment being threatned, yet he persisted, and by a brave importunity, neglecting his owne danger, obtained of the King to bee mercifull unto himselfe, and forsake his sinne; such was the minde of this vertuous Prince to hearken to the words of a wise man which were spoken in season, that ever after he was wary both of his words & actions; lea∣vingan example of loyalty in a servant, and of Reasons victory in a Prince.
