Childebert, the sixt King of France. Anno 514.
CHildebert, the eldest sonne of Clovis, succeeded in the King∣dome of Paris, which was the Regall Seate of the Monarchy of France, Anno Domini 514. Upon his undertaking the government, he was by his Brothers instigated, and his Mo∣ther Page 24 Clotilda to the revenge of the death of his Father and Mother, who were by Gondebault murthered: whereupon making Warres upon the Burgundians, their King Sigismund was taken in a Battaile, and together with his Queene and Progeny was throwne into a Well at Orleans. After that, they retreated against Gondemar, brother to Sigis∣mund, where Clodomire was slaine in the pursuite. By the meanes whereof, and the Warres following upon the whole Countrey of France, Gondemar tooke possession of Burgundy: Whilst Theodorick afterwards was against Her∣monfroy for the estating himselfe in the Kingdome of Thuringia, by the ayde and assistance of his brother Clotharius; Childebert seized upon the County of Auvergne, but having intelligence of the returne of his Brother Theodorick, whom he supposed to have beene dead, he went into Spaine, against Almerick, King of the Visigoths, on a quarrell for the ill usage of his Sister Clotilda, which Page 25 Alarick hee slew neare to Toledo, and tooke that City: and upon his returne he reduced Gascogny to his obedience, chasing the Visigoths backe againe into Spaine, by this meanes making the Frenchmen sole possessors of both the Gaules, excepting one part of Provence, which for a time remained in the hands and power of the Ostrogoths of Italy. Childebert upon his returne from Spaine, went with Clotharius to beate Gondemar out of his Kingdome, which was divided betweene them, as also that of Orleans was, after the slaughter of the children of their brother Cloda∣mire, except Claudius that made an es∣cape.
About that time Theodobald, King of the Ostrogoths of Italy, yeelded up all the possessions they had in Provence, into the power of the French, to the end that they should joyne forces with him against Belisarius, Captaine Gene∣rall of the Army of the Emperour Justinian in Italy, in the interim that Page 26 Childebert and Theodobert through am∣bition were in an ill course against Clo∣tharius; but these being reconciled by the Nobility of the Countrey, Childe∣bert and Clotharius went into Spaine, and surprised Saragoca. Afterwards upon a plot of Cranne, a Nephew of his, hee made Warre upon Clotharius, who being too eager and earnest to scoure the Field, and cleare him of his Enemies, hee dyed, in the 45. yeare of his Reigne, Anno Domini 558, and according to Sigebert & Aymoynus, 49. Hee lyeth inhumed at St. Germans des prez.
This King was much troubled by his Brethren, with whom he had a divided power, and ruled as the chiefe King; But Soveraignty admits no Partners, for Royall power, like an entire streame, fed by the Spring, whence it descended, will not mingle with other Titles, but doth maintaine an absolute and unde∣nyed Prerogative. His troublesome Reigne concluded with his fatall death, Page 27 for he was slaine by a wilde Bull, which he hunted, the manner of his death be∣ing an Embleme of his life; for in his life hee persu'd wilde imaginations and vaine desires, untill this sad mischance layd him to rest in a Grave, to shew the vanity of humane designes, which are so soone strooke dead, such is the glory of this World. There is no ver∣tue in this life, except it be to love the thing that is to be beloved; and to love that, is Prudence; and not to be moved or troubled for any matter of molesta∣tion, that is Fortitude; nor for any matter of Flattery and delight, that is Temperance; nor for pride, that is Justice.
