This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. Searching, reading, printing, or downloading EEBO-TCP texts is reserved for the authorized users of these project partner institutions. Permission must be granted for subsequent distribution, in print or electronically, of this text, in whole or in part. Please contact project staff at eebotcp-info@umich.edu for further information or permissions.
CHilderic succeeded his brother Theodorick, Anno Domini 740. He was the last King of the race of the Merovees, Charles Martel deceased at Paris, October the 22. An. Dom. 741, leaving Carloman and Pepin surnamed The short, Giles Arch-bishop of Rouen,
(and Griffon, who was by another Mo∣ther) Carloman and Pepin tooke upon all their Fathers possessions, and enti∣tuled themselves Dukes and Princes of the French. They called Hunaud to ac∣compt, who had made himselfe a pro∣prietary Lord of Aquitaine. In the meane time Griffon fastened upon Laon, claiming it as his right; from whence he was fetcht out, and imprisoned at Ar∣dennes. After Carboman having com∣pelled the Almans (who had revolted) to his obedience, An. Dom. 743, went with his brother to combate Odilon (or) Vtilon, Duke of Bavaria, who was now in Rebellion, and had stolen and marri∣ed their sister: whom they having com∣pelled to alter his Title of King to Duke, they were contented he should peaceably enjoy their Sister as his wife. At their departure out of Bavaria, An. Dom. 744. they went against the Sax∣ons, whom they enforced to undergoe their accustomed yoake, giving their Duke Theodoric as an Hostage, who
upon his owne word was sent backe; but the yeare following hee was againe taken in a relapse of a new revolt against the French. An. Dom. 746. Carloman became a Monke of Mount Soracte in Tuscany, and afterward at Mount Cassin. Whereupon Pepin reduced the whole Monarchy into his sole power. After∣wards hee pursued his brother Griffon, who had retired himselfe into Saxony, and from thence into Bavaria, from whence Pepin having fisht him, hee brought him into France, and gave him the Dukedome of Angely in Normandy. After this Pepin affecting to joyne to himselfe both the name and the Royall Authority, wrought with Pope Za∣chary by Bouchard Bishop of Witsbourg, and by Volrude his Domesticke Chap∣laine so farre, that the States of France assembling at Soyssons, following the declaration of Pope Zachary, degraded Childeric and his wife Gisale, and sent them to live a Monasticke life in the Countrey of Bavaria, Anno Dom. 752.
Thus was the Merovaean race deprived of its honour 293. yeares after the death of Merovaeus.
This King and his Queene were en∣forced to be religious, and being de∣pos'd, were sent to a Monastery; for it was a usuall custome sometime to con∣fine the right Heire to such houses, or when they would be rid of their Kings, they did shave their heads, and made Monks of them, wherein it may bee they did their soules good; but compel∣led Religion can never be sound. Jerome living in a Wildernesse beheld Rome, and a King in a Cave will thinke on a Crowne, and therefore it may be said,
When a King weares the Fryers hood, He is either very bad or good.