Editing Chlothar II (section)

==Ruler of Neustria==

===Battle of Dormelles===
In 599, he made war with his nephews, [[Theuderic II]] of [[Burgundy (region)|Burgundy]] and [[Theudebert II]] of Austrasia, who were old enough to be his cousins. They defeated him at [[Dormelles]] (near [[Montereau-Fault-Yonne|Montereau]]), forcing him to sign a treaty that reduced his kingdom to the regions of [[Beauvais]], [[Amiens]] and [[Rouen]], with the remainder split between the two brothers. At this point, however, the two brothers took up arms against each other. In 605, he invaded Theuderic's kingdom, but did not subdue it. He remained often at war with Theuderic until the latter died in [[Metz]] in late 613 while preparing a campaign against him.

In 604, a first attempt to reconquer his kingdom ended in failure for Clothar. His son Merovech was taken prisoner by Theuderic at the [[Battle of Étampes]] and was murdered at the order of Brunhilda by Bertoald. Clothar agreed that he would become the godfather of Theuderic's son in 607, naming him Merovech.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ty8UAAAAQAAJ&dq=m%C3%A9rov%C3%A9e+prisonnier+605&pg=PA39 Fastes juifs, romains et françois &#91;by J.B. Mailly&#93;.]</ref>

Around the same time, Theuderic, seeking a marriage to the Spanish Visigoth princess Ermenberge, daughter of King [[Witteric]], created new political tensions. Witteric then negotiated with Clothar II for an alliance, as well as [[Agilulf]], King of the Lombards. The coalition against Theuderic does not appear to have been followed by significant effects.

===War between Austrasia and Burgundy (610–612)===
In 610 Theudebert and Theuderic entered into a war. Theudebert won initial victories in 610, which led Theuderic to approach Clothar, promising to return northern Neustria to him for his aid. Theudebert was crushed in 612, at the battles of Toul and Tolbiac, near Cologne.

===War between Clothar and Austrasia-Burgundy (613)===
[[File:Clotaire tue le duc Berthoualt.jpg|thumb|Clothar slays Bertoald]]
As agreed, Theuderic ceded northern Neustria to Clothar, but then turned around and organized an invasion of Neustria. However he died of dysentery in Metz in 613. His troops dispersed immediately, and Brunhilda placed her great-grandson [[Sigebert II]] on the throne of Austrasia.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=PDkNAAAAIAAJ&dq=chlothar+ii+king+of+the+franks&pg=PA522 Oman, Charles. ''The Dark Ages, 476–918'', Rivingtons, 1908, p. 174]{{PD-notice}}</ref>

[[File:Supplice de Brunehaut.jpg|thumb|Brunhilde is dragged to her death]]

At that time, [[Warnachar]], [[mayor of the palace]] of Austrasia, and [[Rado (mayor of the palace)|Rado]], mayor of the palace of Burgundy, abandoned the cause of Brunhilda and her great-grandson, [[Sigebert II]], and the entire realm was delivered into Chlothar's hands. Brunhilda and Sigebert met Chlothar's army on the [[Aisne]], but the Patrician Aletheus, Duke Rocco, and Duke Sigvald deserted the host and the grand old woman and her king had to flee. They got as far as the [[Orbe]], but Chlothar's soldiers caught up with them by the lake [[Neuchâtel]]. Both of them and Sigebert's younger brother Corbo were executed by Chlothar's orders, then proceeded to execute many of the family members of this house except Merovech, his godson, and perhaps Childebert who had fled.

Brunhilde was accused of murdering ten members of the Neustrian royal family, as well as other Frankish royalty, and was tried and convicted. She underwent a very severe torture and execution by being dragged on the back of a horse and drawn-and-quartered.<ref>''Chronique de Frédégaire'', IV, 42 ; ''Continuation de la Chronique d'Isidore''.</ref>  After this victory, Clothar was left as the sole royal ruler of the Frankish peoples and consolidated his power.