Clovis, (aliâs) Lewis 2. the 12. King of France, Anno 645.

THis Clovis or Lewis, although he were the younger brother of Sigisbert, whom some hold to have beene borne of a Concubine, tooke the possession upon him of the King∣domes both of France and Burgundy, under the government of his Mother Page  50 Nentilde, and of Prince Aega, Mayre of the Palace, who shortly after dyed: in whose place was substituted Ercembault, kinsman to the late Dagobert by the mo∣thers side. In the meane time Pepin, Mayre of the Palace of Austrasie, dyed, into whose office and place his sonne Grimoald would enter. But perceiving himselfe to be opposed by a certaine O∣tho, who formerly had had the govern∣ment of Sigebert in his minority made a quarrell betweene him and Leuther, Duke of Almaine, who slew him. After, taking upon him the dignity of Mayre of the Palace, hee matched his Sister Begga to the Duke Ansigise, sonne of St. Arnulph, by whom hee had Pepin Heristel. Nentilde deceased Anno Dom. 651. as also her Favorite Flaveate did, who was by Nation a Frenchman, Con∣stable of Burgundy, and Wilebald Go∣vernour of Burgundy Trans-jurane; by the reason whereof Ercembault gover∣ned solely the Kingdome, until the King came to age. Afterwards in the yeare Page  51 657, Sigebert perswading himselfe that he should have no issue, adopted Childe∣bert, sonne of Grimoald, Mayre of his Palace as his sonne: but after having a son borne to him, whom he named Dagobert, at his decease hee left him to succeede under the charge of Grimoald, who caused the Infant Dagobert to be transported into Scotland by Dudo, Bi∣shop of Poictiers, there to be made a Monke, and caused his owne sonne Childebert to be crowned King of Au∣strasie; which caused the King Clovis, accompanied with his Mayre Ercem∣bault, to give him battaile, in which they were both taken, and carryed to Paris, where they dyed. By reason whereof Clovis instituted his second sonne Childeric King of Austrasie, and appointed Walfroy for Mayre of his Pa∣lace. After that there being a great famine, Clovis tooke all the Plate and Treasure out of the Church of St. De∣nis, and gave it to the poore, and in recompence thereof hee exempted that Page  52 Abby from the subjection of the Bishop of Paris. He departed this life to a bet∣ter, An. Dom. 665, in the 21. yeare of his age, or as others, 23, and lyeth at St. Denis, expecting a glorious Resur∣rection.

This King and many other his suc∣cessors, retained nothing of Soveraign∣ty, but the name and habilements of Kings, having resign'd their Regall power to their Mayres. For after they had committed all their Authority to these Vice-kings, they themselves did never appeare in publick, but on the first day of May, and then in their Chariots, stuck with flowers, and drawne with 4. Oxen. No suiters were admited to the Kings presence, who in his Chamber surfetted on all kind of pleasure, while the Subjects complained onely to the Mayre, and by him had their wrongs re∣dressed; for the whole government, which belonged unto the Kings, was now ordered by Mayres: yet this King was happy in his Consort and Queene Page  53 Bandour, of whose Piety and devotion to Religion, the Abby of Shelces, called St. Bandour, and other religious buil∣dings were lasting Monuments.