Dagobert I

Q: Who was Dagobert I?

Dagobert I was a Frankish king, who ruled as King of Austrasia from 623 to 634 and as King of All the Franks from 629 to 639. He is considered the last king of the Merovingian Dynasty to hold any real power before the Merovingian kings became puppet rulers for the mayors of the palaces.

Q: What is Dagobert I known for?

Dagobert I is known for being the last great ruler of the Merovingian Dynasty, but today, he is also recognizable from a French nursery rhyme "Le Bon Roi Dagobert".

Q: Who were the do-nothing kings?

The term "do-nothing kings" refers to the later rulers of the Merovingian Dynasty in Francia, usually beginning with the sons of Dagobert I. They were referred to as "do-nothing kings" because they were little more than figureheads with no real authority; the mayors of the palaces became the true powers behind the Frankish throne.

Harrison W. Mark

Dagobert I

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Definition

Dagobert I (l. 605-639) ruled as King of Austrasia from 623 to 634 and as King of All the Franks from 629 to 639. Together with the reign of his father, Chlothar II, the period of Dagobert's rule has been characterized as the peak of Merovingian power. However, Dagobert was the last king of the Merovingian Dynasty to exercise any significant royal authority.

More about: Dagobert I

Timeline

623 - 639
Reign of King Dagobert I, the last Merovingian king to hold any real power.

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