Childebert 2. the 17. King of France. Anno 692.
After the death of Clovis, his bro∣ther Childebert succeeded him, and reigned according to all Authours, 17. or 18. yeares, except A∣do, who alloweth him but 13. Never∣thelesse it seemeth that it was in his time that Pepin made warre upon Ratbod, Page 72 Duke of Frizeland, who was as yet a Pagan and an Idolater; so that he being overthrowne, Pepin would not grant him any conditions of peace, unlesse he would permit a Monke called Wilebros, (aliâs) Clement, a learned and vertuous man, might freely give instructions to the Frizons in the Christian Religion; which for the most part was generally approved and liked by the people: but the Nobles and chiefe men remained and continued in their ancient errour together with their Prince. Moreover, that Pepin was a man accomplished, and of singular parts, yet contrary to the Lawes of Marriage, he was so much ta∣ken with the fond love of a Gentlewo∣man called Alpaide, that hee utterly loathed his wife Plectrude. By reason whereof Lambert, Bishop of Utrecht, or (as some report) Liege, a man of a holy life, boldly undertooke to lay open his sinne unto him, although he had resto∣red him to his See Episcopall, whereof Ebroin had deprived him. Whereupon Page 73 Alpaide was so much enraged, that shee instigated her brother Dodon to kill him: but he and his associates received a reward due for such a demerite and murther. Pepin on the other part hea∣ring that Norbert his Lieutenant of Maireship of France was deceased, sub∣stituted his second sonne Grimoald in the place, and caused him to marry Theudesinde, Daughter of Ratbod, Duke of Frizeland.
About five yeares after, Drogon, the sonne of Pepin, Duke of Champagne, dyed, (as Ado noteth) Anno Dom. 708, but according to Sigebert, 699, whose estates were by Pepin given to his sonne Thibault: after that, seeing the Swedes to rebell against Childebert, under the conduct of Villarius he sent Anepos Bi∣shop against them with a powerfull Ar∣my, which overthrew them, saith Ado. Childebert deceased An. Dom. 710, ha∣ving reigned 17. yeares, leaving issue, Dagobert, Clowis, and Daniel.
That which is chiefly observable in Page 74 this King, was his dotage on Alpaide, a faire & beautifull Gentlewoman, whom he loved beyond all respect of himselfe, letting his Fame bleed to death, woun∣ded with a bad report for his inconti∣nent life. For that King that is addicted to the love of a woman, hath all his sen∣ses so charmed, that he understands no∣thing but his pleasure, and is quite given over to follow his owne wicked desires. For, Est infoelicius quàm meretrice nihil.
And hee that endeavours to make a King see his owne vice, does alwaies pe∣rish in the attempt, & resembles Virgils poore Gnat which the shepheard killed with clapping his hand against his face, while he strove to wake him. So Bishop Lambert, that would have wak'd the King, was by Alpaides plot and the Kings consent murdered.
