An epitome of all the lives of the kings of France From Pharamond the first, to the now most Christian King Levvis the thirteenth. With a relation of the famous battailes of the two kings of England, who were the first victorious princes that conquered France. Translated out of the French coppy by R.B. Esq.

Theodoric 2. 15. King of France. Anno 680.

THeodoric (alias) Thierry, the second of that name, having beene called out of the Mo∣nastery by Ebroin, who in the time that things were in a combustion

and confusion through the death of Childeric, went and assaulted Leudesie, from whom hee recovered the Royall Finances. Afterwards pursuing him, he, contrary to his promise, caused him to be put to death, and causing him∣selfe to bee re-estated in that dignity of which formerly hee had beene de∣prived, persecuted all those that had any way opposed him, filling all France with murtherous cruelties: insomuch, that he put to death Leger, Bishop of Authun, and his brother Guerin. Whilst the Austrasians substituted Pe∣pin, Heristed, Maire of the Palace of Austrasie, in the place of Vlsoald, and appoynted for his Coadjutor Martin, his Cousen German, sonne of Clo∣dulphe, second Sonne of S. Arnulph. Where of Ebroin being advertised, went to give them battaile at a place called Locofic, where Pepin was enforced to betake himselfe into Austrasie for safe∣ty, and Martin to Laon: From whence Ebroin, upon his word given him in

way of promise, fetcht him out, and caused him to be put to death. Imme∣diately hereupon Hermonfroy slew Ebroin, and for refuge betooke him∣selfe to Pepin. By the reason where∣of, Theodoric took to bee Maire of the Palace one named Waraton, a man well advised, who having beene supplanted and undermined by his sonne Gisle∣mare, who dyed shortly after, entered into the State, although hee kept it not long, but dying left it in the hands and power of Bertaire, who in such a high nature disgusted the Lords and Nobility of France, that they withdrew their affection from him, and there went (namely Andr am∣ne and Reole) to consult with Pepin for a Warre upon Theodoric the King, and Bertaire, who was neare Taxieres in Vermandois defeated, and the said Bertaire slaine by some that pursued him. Whereupon Theodoric made a peace with Pepin, and gave him the office of Maire of his Palace, as

he already had that of Austrasie. Pepin being desirous to compose the matters of Austracy in order, instituted Norbert as his Lievtenant in France, in his absence. Afterwards he made his eldest sonne Drogon Duke of Campagne: Pe∣pin began to governe in France, Anno Domini 687.

Theodoric deceased 688. having reigned nineteene yeares, beeing a wonderfull patient King, and one that would not be moved with a∣ny small disaster that should have hap∣pened unto him, either through the Divine Power, or Humane Resi∣stance. Hee left behinde him three Sonnes, Clovis, Clotharius, and Chil∣debert.

This King being onely a picture of Soveraignty, without any active moti∣on, Ne vixisse inutilis olim, videa∣tur, left issue to shew that he had li∣ved. He sate like a patient man, and beheld the Tragedies playd by the Mayres, as they had beene a game of

Tables, untill Pepin wonne the set and Soveraignty of France.

This King was of a slow disposition, not contemning, but neglecting the World; for if he had onely slighted earthly glory, he would have violated Curius, who when the Samnites brought him great store of Treasure, as he was sitting by the fire side, hee said, Non aurum haberi praeclarum sibi videri dixit; sedeis, qui haberent au∣rum, imperare: He accounted it no glory to have store of Gold, but to governe those that had store of gold. This was a magnanimity of minde, but a dejected minde in a Prince, suffering a Subject to over-toppe him, did not expresse the Cou∣rage of a Caesar, or an Alexan∣der, that desir'd to bee Monarchs of the whole world.