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Chlothar I

Type Figure Region Frankish Kingdom Time c. 500–561 Also known as Chlothar I

Chlothar I (c. 500–561) was a Merovingian king of the Franks, youngest son of Clovis I, who briefly unified the entire Frankish kingdom in 558.

Timeline

  1. c. 500–511Soissons · Northern GaulChlothar I was the youngest son of Clovis I and Clotilde. After his father's death in 511, following Merovingian partition tradition he received the northern kingdom centered on Soissons, becoming one of four brothers who divided rule.
  2. 511–558Soissons · Northern GaulDuring his long reign, Chlothar I actively participated in Frankish expansion. In 524, at the Battle of Vézeronce, he joined his brothers in attacking Burgundy; after his brother Chlodomer fell in battle, Chlothar personally killed Chlodomer's young sons to eliminate succession threats. In 531 he joined Childebert in conquering Thuringia and married the Thuringian princess Radegund. From 532 to 534 he finally annexed the Kingdom of Burgundy. He took multiple wives and concubines, including Ingund and Aregund. In 555, after his nephew Theudebald died, Chlothar took over the Kingdom of Austrasia, greatly expanding his realm.
  3. 558–561Soissons · Northern GaulIn 558, the last surviving brother, Childebert I, died, leaving Chlothar I as the sole surviving son of Clovis; he briefly unified the entire Frankish kingdom, fulfilling his father's dream of a unified realm. However, in 561 he fell ill and died while hunting near Compiègne. Following Merovingian custom, he divided the kingdom among four sons—Charibert I, Guntram, Sigibert I, and Chilperic I—and the Franks were once again split.

Sources