The Merovingians

Send us a text The episode we talk about the changing world around the Frankish kingdoms. We get our first description of a Slavic state from a Frankish source, and talk about the interesting stories Frankish sources provide about the Lombard court.

Send us a text This episode is all about culture. How did cultural products play into the political game in the Frankish kingdoms? How did they affect the upper classes? What kind of works are we even talking about? In a place where politics is so dangerous everything that can be used to increase someone's power or influence will become dangerous as well. L'histoire des Francs et des Mérovingiens podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Iw0uxGoZ9pM9ndH76jQHV?si=7e4862d84b114e08

Send us a text This episode is all about the aftermath of Chlothar's victory and consolidation of the Frankish kingdoms. There was once again a single Merovingian in charge, and we will explore how he sought to establish his authority and how the elites of the kingdoms reacted to this new reality.

Send us a text This episode we finally reach the end of Brunhild's story. She's been a major player in Merovingian politics for decades, but here her story ends as we enter a new period of Merovingian history.

Send us a text This episode will see the final phase of the conflict between the brother kings, Theudebert II of Austrasia and Theuderic II of Burgundy. Only one can be victorious. Who will come out on top? What will be the consequences for the Frankish kingdoms? What will happen to the loser?

Send us a text This episode is about a conflict between Queen Brunhild and the popular holy man Columbanus. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this power hungry queen and strict Irish monk didn't get along and they fought to pull King Theuderic in different directions.

Send us a text In this episode we're going to talk about a failed marriage, jealous queens, angry kings, and an international coalition. Plus some Late Antique ethnicities, just for fun.

Send us a text This episode focusses on discussions of ethnicity and their reality in the Merovingian period. Using Fredegar's discussion of the Frankish Bertoald and the Roman Protadius we'll look at pre-modern concepts of race and how they were used in Merovingian chronicles.

Send us a text This episode is about the conflicts between Chlothar II, king of Neustria, Theudebert II, king of Austrasia, and Theuderic II, king of Burgundy. All three were young, ambitious, and desperately wanted to be the one to unite the Frankish realm.

Send us a text This episode is about Brunhild and her second fall from grace. The conflict between her and the Austrasian court will spark a new period in her life, one that is darker and more controversial.

Send us a text This episode we dive into Fredegar's work, looking at a few examples from early in his chronicle to compare his style to Gregory's and get a sense of what to expect moving forward.

Send us a text This episode is all about Brunhild. One of the most controversial figures, in a period with nothing but controversial figures, we'll take a look at her governing style, some of the attacks against her, and some of her worst actions.

Send us a text This episode, like the title suggests, is about the death of two Merovingian kings. Specifically Guntram and Childebert II, both very significant rulers. We'll discuss the legacy of Guntram and then delve into what Childebert got up to before his own untimely demise.

Send us a text Special episode this week, as we celebrate ten thousand downloads! This episode I work my way through the Merovingian family tree and share my hot takes on each of the figures, both ones we've already met and those we've yet to meet.

Send us a text In this episode we discuss the transition from Gregory to Fredegar, as well as some of the controversies and issues with Fredegar's work. Plus we'll meet some of the academics whose work will be important moving forward.

Send us a text This episode we bid a fond farewell to our friend Gregory, whose histories finally stop around 590-591. We discuss aspects of his life and work and how he would probably like to be remembered. Goodbye Gregory, you've been a fascinating companion.

Send us a text This episode is all about faith, power and revelations. As Christianity moved through it's rebellious youth phase the church tried to clamp down on and control the fervour of its many fresh converts. The faith was still fairly fresh outside of the urban areas of Gaul, and this led to conflict as the church hierarchy clashed with insurgent religious figures. Were they possessed by the devil? Were they simply misinformed? Or were they just naturally finding their own revelations?

Send us a text This episode is all about justice, in all its forms from differing perspectives. Justice will come for noble rebels, for Guntram against his enemies in Neustria, and even Fredegund will dip her toe into the waters of justice. It'll be in interesting journey through the restless Frankish nobles and the attempts of Merovingian central authority to keep them in line.

Send us a text This episode is all about the trial of Egidius, bishop of Rheims. Egidius was one of the last major figures left that had opposed Brunhild and held influence during Childebert's minority. In this episode we'll see how he tries to defend his actions, and how the trial of a prominent bishop is handled by the young king Childebert II.

Send us a text In this episode we cover a rollercoaster of a military campaign, a concerted effort by our major source to keep tarnishing a queen's reputation and the final end of the revolt of Saint Radegund's Convent of the Holy Cross. Ambition and brutality knows no gender boundaries in the Merovingian period.