Clotharius the 4, 19 King of France. Anno 719.

CLotharius the fourth, sonne of Theodoric, who was the fifteenth King of France, was brother to the Kings, Clovis the third, and Childe∣bert the second, and Uncle to Dagobert the second; and by the plots of Charles Martel, upon the decease of Dagobert, Page  80 was made King. For, hee perceiving that the greatest part of the French had constituted King, a certaine Daniel, a man of the Royall blood, whom they had drawne out of the Monastery, and nominated him Chilperic the second; he, by force of Armes having valiantly fought it out in the field, and victori∣ously overthrowne them, (as hereafter shall be mentioned) made himselfe Ma∣ster of all France, and from thence∣forth Charles Martel against his will was made King: But he knowing that the French, that could not containe them∣selves without a King, and would not admit any to the Title, but those of the Royall blood, knowing also himselfe not so descended, he caused this Clotha∣rius to be Crowned King, as the next of blood; not that hee thought him worth such a dignity as that of a King∣dome, but for a gaining of authority by this faire pretext, and for the transfer∣ring of the Crowne of France by little and little to his Children, which after∣wards Page  81 came to passe. For under the name of Clotharius, Charles Martel did what he pleased, which so fortunately succeeded daily, that by this meanes he made a scaling-Ladder for his sonne Pepin to the Crowne: So, that Clo∣tharius the fourth, was made but an imaginary or titulary King, who did not any thing worthy of memory, because hee reigned not above two yeares or little longer: and in the time of his reigne, all France was in great Factions and Divisions, by the reason of so many pretendants to the Office of Maire of the Palace: also that Charles Martel had after him the entire govern∣ment of the whole Kingdome, and com∣mand of all; insomuch, that he was cal∣led, Prince of the French-men, great Ma∣ster and Governonr of France: And Clotharius had but the bare title of King: which is a cause that Paulus Ae∣milius, and other Historians have not inserted him into the Catalogue of the Kings of France. The Page  82 aforesaid Clotharius deceased about the yeare 719, and lyeth inhumed at Nancy.

This King, having not the power of a King was like a Picture of Majesty, for some years exposed to the publick view, but afterwards death drew a Curtaine between him and the world, and then he was soone forgotten, whereas vertue doth give a second life to Princes, while their name is preserved fresh in memo∣ry: For Sola virtus expers Sepulchri.

And therfore that excellent monument, better than any Marble stone cut into forme by Carvers Art, is the statue of the mind, not that of the body: for Statuae huiusmodi relinquendae, quae virtutis sint monumenta magis, quàm staturae corpo∣ris.