Pèpin DE FRANKS

Medieval Lands by Charles Cawley, Foundation for Medieval Genealogy PEPIN, son of CHARLES "Martel" & his first wife Chrothrudis(715-Saint-Denis 24 Sep 768, bur église de l'abbaye royale de SaintDenis). Einhard names "Karlomannum…et Pippinum atque Grifonem" as thethree sons of "Karlus maior domus" when recording the latter'sdeath[1]. He succeeded his father as maior domus jointly with hisbrother Carloman. They deprived their half-brother Grifo of hisinheritance and defeated him after he rebelled against them. In thedivision of territories agreed with his brother Carloman, Pépingoverned Neustria, Burgundy, Provence, Metz and Trier. The brotherswere faced with revolts in Frisia, Bavaria, Alemannia and Aquitaine.As a symbolic assertion of their authority, they nominated ChildericIII as Merovingian king in 743. In 745, Pépin appropriated theprovince of Alemannia for himself. He deposed King Childeric III atSoissons in Nov 751, with approval from Pope Zacharius[2], andsucceeded as PEPIN “le Bref” King of the Franks. He was anointed kingat Saint-Denis 28 Jul 754 by Pope Stephen III [II], who had come toFrance to seek Pépin's help against the Lombards[3]. During hisexpedition to Italy the following year, Pépin obliged the Lombards toaccept the independence of Rome, marking the beginning of the PapalState. He captured Narbonne from the Muslim invaders in [759], andfinally conquered Aquitaine after the death of Duke Waifar in 768.The necrology of Prüm records the death "768 VIII Kal Oct" of"Pippinus vir illuster"[4]. The necrology of the abbey of Saint-Denisrecords the death "VIII Kal Oct" of "Pipinus rex"[5]. The AnnalesMetenses record the death "VIII Kal Oct" of "Pippinus" and his burial"in basilica beati Dionysii"[6]. His burial place is confirmed by theAnnales Laurissenses which record that the body of "domna Bertaregina" was transferred to "ecclesia sancti Dionysii martiris" next toher husband[7]. m ([743/44]) BERTRADA [Berta] "au Grand Pied", daughter of CHARIBERTComte de Laon & his wife --- ([720]-Choisy-au-Bac, near Compiègne 12Jul 783[8], bur église de l'abbaye royale de Saint Denis). TheAnnales Laurissenses record the marriage in 749 of "Bertrademcognomine Bertam, Cariberti Laudunensis comitis filiam" and"Pippinus"[9]. "Pippinus rex Francorum" donated property to foundKloster Prüm by charter dated 13 Aug 762 which names "coniux meaBertrada…genitor suus Heribertus"[10]. Pépin planned to divorce hiswife, but was convinced otherwise by Pope Paul I in 762. After thedeath of her husband, she assumed a prominent role in government. Shetried unsuccessfully to reconcile her two sons, meeting with Carlomanat Seltz and also travelling to Italy in 770[11]. The AnnalesFuldenses record that "Berhta regina" brought "filiam Desiderii regisLangobardorum" back from Italy as the wife for "Karolo filio suo"[12].The Annales Laurissenses record the death "783 IV Id Jul" of "domnaBerta regina", her burial "in Cauciaco", and the subsequent transferof her body to "ecclesia sancti Dionysii martiris" next to herhusband[13]. The necrology of Argenteuil Priory records the death "IVId Jul" of "Bertrada regina"[14]. King Pépin & his wife had six children: 1. CHARLES (near Aix-la-Chapelle 2 Apr 748-Aix-la-Chapelle 28Jan 814, bur Aix-la-Chapelle, Chapelle Sainte-Marie). The GenealogicaArnulfi Comitis names (in order) "Karolum et Karlomannum et Gislam" aschildren of "Pipinus rex…ex Bertrada regina"[15]. On the death of hisfather, he received the larger part of Austrasia, Neustria and westernAquitaine, succeeding as CHARLES I Joint-King of the Franks, crowned 9Oct 768 at Noyon. - see below. 2. CARLOMAN (751-Samoussy, near Laon 4 Dec 771, bur Reims,église de l'abbaye de Saint-Rémi). The Genealogica Arnulfi Comitisnames (in order) "Karolum et Karlomannum et Gislam" as children of"Pipinus rex…ex Bertrada regina"[16]. He is named second son of KingPépin and Bertrada in the Cartulaire of Saint-Bertin[17]. At thecoronation of his father in 754, Carloman was also anointed by thePope with his brother Charles[18]. On the death of his father, hereceived Burgundy, Provence, Gothia [Septimania], Alsace and Swabia,succeeding as CARLOMAN Joint King of the Franks. He refused tosupport his brother in suppressing a revolt in Aquitaine in Mar 769,but they were reconciled in early 770. His death is recorded in theRoyal Frankish Annals[19]. Einhard records the death "II Non Dec" 771of "Karlomannus frater [Karoli]" at "villa Salmontiaco"[20]. TheAnnales Fuldenses record the death "II Non Dec 771 in villaSalmuntiaco" of "Karlomannus rex" and his burial "Remis"[21]. TheAnnalium Sancti Amandi records the death at "Salmuniaco 771 pridie NonDec" of "Karlomannus"[22]. The Annales Xantenses record the death "IINon Dec 771" of "Karlomannus rex"[23]. The Annales Laurissensesrecord that "Carlomanni" was buried "iuxta urbem Remorum in basilicambeati Remigii" in 771[24]. The necrology of Reims Saint-Rémi recordsthe death "II Non Dec" of "Karlomannus Francorum rex"[25]. m ([769])GERBERGA, daughter of --- (-772 or after). The Annales Laurissensesname "Girberga uxor Carlomanni" when recording that she left for Italyafter her husband died[26]. She is not mentioned in any of thesurviving charters of her husband[27]. The Annales Lobienses recordthat "uxor eius [=Karlomannus] cum duobus filiis et Otgario marchione"took refuge with "Desiderium regem, patrem suum" after the death ofher husband[28], which would mean that she was Gerberga of theLombards, daughter of Desiderius King of the Lombards. Settipanihighlights that this may be incorrect, assuming that the text resultsfrom confusion with the first wife of Carloman's older brother KingCharles being the daughter of King Desiderius, and the fact thatGerberga sought refuge at the Lombard court[29]. Another factor isalso significant in deciding the question: numerous authorities, forexample the Annales Fuldenses[30], record the visit to Italy of QueenBerta, mother of Charles and Carloman, to bring back the bride for herson Charles, but none mentions two sisters being brought back asbrides for the two brothers. On the other hand, the fact that KingDesiderius supported the candidacy of Gerberga's son Pépin to succeedhis father could have been motivated by a close family relationship(see below). There is no direct proof of the date of Gerberga'smarriage. If Gerberga was the daughter of King Desiderius, it isreasonable to suppose that the marriage would have taken place at thesame time as the marriage of Carloman's brother, whose first wife wasthe daughter of King Desiderius, although this would leave little timefor two children to have been born from the marriage before Carlomandied. King Carloman & his wife had two children: a) PEPIN (770-after 774). The Annales Petaviani record thebirth in 770 of "Pipini filii Karlomanni"[31]. The Annales Lobiensesrecord his mother's departure to Italy "cum duobus filiis" after herhusband's death[32]. Einhard also records that "Karlomannus frater[Karoli]…uxor eius et filii" went to Italy after Carloman died[33].Desiderius King of the Lombards supported Pépin's claim to succeed hisfather, and requested Pope Adrian I to crown him. He fled KingCharles I to Verona in 774 and was later confined to a monastery[34]. b) child (-after 772). The evidence for the existence of thissecond child is provided by the Annales Lobienses which record hismother's departure to Italy "cum duobus filiis" after her husbanddied[35]. Einhard also records that "Karlomannus frater [Karoli]…uxoreius et filii" went to Italy after Carloman died[36]. Although hedoes not specify how many children were involved, there was presumablyinsufficient time between Carloman's marriage and his death for hiswife to have given birth to more than two children. There is noindication of the sex of this second child. 3. GISELA (757-Chelles 30 Jul 810). The Genealogica ArnulfiComitis names (in order) "Karolum et Karlomannum et Gislam" childrenof "Pipinus rex…ex Bertrada regina"[37]. Einhard names "Gisla unicasoror" of King Charles, specifying that she was "a puellaribus annisreligiosæ conversationi mancipata"[38]. The continuator of theAnnales Petaviani record the birth in 757 of "Gislanæ"[39]. Abbess ofChelles 788. "Ghysela regis filia Pippini et Bertredane regine"donated "Villa Putialis" to Saint-Denis by charter dated 12 Jun799[40]. "Carolus…rex Francorum et Langobardorum" confirmed thedonation to the abbey of Saint-Denis by "illustris deo sacrataGisla…soror nostra" by charter dated 15 Jun 799 which names "domneBertradane genitricis nostre"[41]. [42]Betrothed (765, contractbroken 766) to LEON of Byzantium, son of Emperor KONSTANTINOS V"Kopronymos" & his first wife Eirene [née Chichek] of the Khazars (Jan750-8 Sep 780, bur Constantinople, Church of the Holy Apostles). Hesucceeded in 775 as Emperor LEON IV. [m WENILO [Bishop of Laon].Settipani discusses this possible marriage, noting that "Gisela andher husband Wenilo" are listed in the obituary of Argenteuil[43].However, the couple's being named together in this obituary does notappear consistent with Gisela's monastic career which, as shown above,she started more than twenty years before she died.] 4. PEPIN (759-[761/62]). The Annales Laurissenses record thebirth in 759 of "Pippinus regis filius" who was named after hisfather, specifying that he lived two years and died in his thirdyear[44]. His birth and death two years later are recorded in theRoyal Frankish Annals[45]. 5. CHROTHAIS (-young, bur Metz, Saint Arnoul). "Rodthaid" isnamed daughter of King Pépin in the Pauli Gesta, when recording herplace of burial[46]. Paulus Diaconus wrote a poem in memory of"Rothaidis filiæ Pippini regis", which names "germanus…Karolus,Pippinus pater…Pippinus proavus…abavus Anschisa…[huius] pater…beatusArnulfus"[47]. 6. ADELAIS (-young, bur Metz, Saint Arnoul). "Adelaid" isnamed daughter of King Pépin in the Pauli Gesta, when recording herplace of burial[48]. Paulus Diaconus wrote a poem in memory of"Adheleidis filiæ [Pippini regis]"[49]. 7. [daughter . The only reference to this unnamed daughter isin the Vita Maximini Episcopi Trevirensis which records that "Pippiniregis ex filia nepos…Chunibertus" was "atrociter a dæmone vexatus" andcured after he was taken to the saint[50], assuming that "nepos" inthis context is correctly translated as grandson. This contradictsEinhard who names Gisela as the only sister of Charles I King of theFranks[51]. m ---.] [One possible child:] a) [CHUNIBERT . The Vita Maximini Episcopi Trevirensisrecords that "Pippini regis ex filia nepos…Chunibertus" was "atrocitera dæmone vexatus" and cured after he was taken to the saint[52].] TheAnnales Murbacenses record the foundation of the monastery in 715 by"comes…Eberhardus, filius ducis Adelberti", and his donationsfollowing the death of "filio predicti comitis", with the consent of"fratris sui Leudofredi et coniugis sue Emeltrudis", and his burial inthe monastery[53]. 8. [daughter . The only reference to this unnamed daughter isin the Annales Murbacenses which records that "sanctus Sintpertus siveSimbertus, Caroli magni ex sorore nepos" was fifth abbot of themonastery of Murbach[54]. m ---.] [One possible child:] a) [SINTBERT . The Annales Murbacenses name "sanctusSintpertus sive Simbertus, Caroli magni ex sorore nepos" as fifthabbot of the monastery of Murbach[55].] [1] Annales Einhardi 741, MGH SS I, p. 135. [2] Scholz, B. W. with Rogers, B. (2000) Carolingian Chronicles: RoyalFrankish Annals and Nithard's Histories (University of Michigan Press)(“RFA”), 749, p. 39. [3] RFA 753 and 754, p. 40. [4] Annales Necrologici Prumienses, MGH SS XIII, p. 219. [5] Obituaires de Sens Tome I.1, Abbaye de Saint-Denis, p. 327. [6] Annales Metenses 768, MGH SS I, p. 335. [7] Annales Laurissenses 783, MGH SS I, p. 164. [8] RFA 783, p. 61. [9] Annales Laurissenses 749, MGH SS I, p. 136. [10] DD Kar. 1, 16, p. 21. [11] RFA 770, p. 48. [12] Annales Fuldenses 770, MGH SS I, p. 348. [13] Annales Laurissenses 783, MGH SS I, p. 164. [14] Obituaires de Sens Tome I.1, Prieuré d'Argenteuil, p. 348. [15] Genealogiæ Comitum Flandriæ, Witgeri Genealogica Arnulfi ComitisMGH SS IX, p. 302. [16] Genealogiæ Comitum Flandriæ, Witgeri Genealogica Arnulfi ComitisMGH SS IX, p. 302. [17] Guérard, M. (ed.) (1840) Cartulaire de l'abbaye de Saint-Bertin(Paris), p. 56. [18] RFA 754, p. 40. [19] RFA 771, p. 48. [20] Einhardi Annales 771, MGH SS I, p. 149. [21] Annales Fuldenses 771, MGH SS I, p. 348. [22] Annalium Sancti Amandi Continuatio Altera 771, MGH SS I, p. 12. [23] Annales Xantenses 771, MGH SS II, p. 222. [24] Annales Laurissenses 771, MGH SS I, p. 148. [25] 'Obits mémorables tirés de nécrologes luxembourgeois, rémois etmessins', Revue Mabillon VI (1910-1911), p. 272. [26] Annales Laurissensis 771, MGH SS I, p. 148 (only in one ms.). [27] DD Kar I 43 to 54, pp. 61-76. [28] Annales Lobienses 771, MGH SS XIII, p. 228. [29] Settipani, C. and Kerrebrouck, P. van (1993) La préhistoire desCapétiens 481-987, 1ère partie, Mérovingiens, Carolingiens etRobertiens (Villeneuve d'Ascq), p. 186. [30] Annales Fuldenses 770, MGH SS I, p. 348. [31] Annales Petaviani 770, MGH SS I, p. 13. [32] Annales Lobienses 771, MGH SS XIII, p. 228. [33] Einhardi Annales 771, MGH SS I, p. 149. [34] Settipani (1993), p. 186, citing Lib. Pontif. 97, Vita Hadrianipapæ c. 9, pp. 126-27, Davis. [35] Annales Lobienses 771, MGH SS XIII, p. 228. [36] Einhardi Annales 771, MGH SS I, p. 149. [37] Genealogiæ Comitum Flandriæ, Witgeri Genealogica Arnulfi ComitisMGH SS IX, p. 302. [38] Einhardi Vita Karoli Imperator 18, MGH SS II, p. 453. [39] Annalium Petavianorum Continuatio 757, MGH SS I, p. 11. [40] DD Kar I 319, p. 483. [41] DD Kar. 1, 190, p. 254. [42] McCormick, M. 'Byzantium and the West, 700-900', in The NewCambridge Medieval History, vol. 2: c. 700-c. 900, ed. R. McKitterick(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995), p. 365, and Herrin, J.The Formation of Christendom (Princeton: Princeton University Press,1987), p. 381, and BMPZ No. 4243. [43] Settipani (1993), p. 186. [44] Annales Laurissenses 759, MGH SS I, p. 142. [45] RFA 759, p. 43. [46] Pauli Gesta Episcop. Mettensium, MGH SS II, p. 265. [47] Pauli Diaconi Carmina, XX Epitaphium Rothaidis filiæ Pippiniregis, MGH Poetæ Latini ævi Carolini I, p. 57. [48] Pauli Gesta Episcop. Mettensium, MGH SS II, p. 265. [49] Pauli Diaconi Carmina, XXI Epitaphium Adheleidis filiæ cuiussupra, MGH Poetæ Latini ævi Carolini I, p. 57. [50] Vita Maximini Episcopi Trevirensis 23, MGH SS rer. Merov. III, p.81. [51] Einhardi Vita Karoli Imperator 18, MGH SS II, p. 453. [52] Vita Maximini Episcopi Trevirensis 23, MGH SS rer. Merov. III, p.81. [53] Annales Murbacenses I, p. 7. [54] Annales Murbacenses I, p. 8. [55] Annales Murbacenses I, p. 8.

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