31.6. 6. Second Epoch of the Humiliation of our Kings of the first Race.
After the execution of Brunehault, the mayors were administrators of the
kingdom under the sovereigns; and though they had the conduct of the
war, the kings were always at the head of the armies, while the mayor
and the nation fought under their command. But the victory of Duke Pepin
over Theodoric and his mayor
[51]
completed the degradation of our
princes;
[52]
and that which Charles Martel obtained over Chilperic and
his mayor Rainfroy confirmed it.
[53]
Austrasia triumphed twice over
Neustria and Burgundy; and the mayoralty of Austrasia being annexed as
it were to the family of the Pepins, this mayoralty and family became
greatly superior to all the rest. The conquerors were then afraid lest
some person of credit should seize the king's person, in order to excite
disturbances. For this reason they kept them in the royal palace as in a
kind of prison, and once a year showed them to the people.
[54]
There
they made ordinances, but these were such as were dictated by the
mayor;
[55]
they answered ambassadors, but the mayor made the answers.
This is the time mentioned by historians of the government of the mayors
over the kings whom they held in subjection.
[56]
The extravagant passion of the nation for Pepin's family went so far
that they chose one of his grandsons, who was yet an infant, for
mayor;
[57]
and put him over one Dagobert, that is, one phantom over
another.
Footnotes
[51]
See the "Annals of Metz," years 687 and 688.
[55]
Ex chronico Centulensi, lib. ii.
[56]
"Annals of Metz," year 691. "Annals of Fuld," or of Laurishan,
Pippinus dux Francorum obtinuit regnum Francorum per annos 27, cum
regibus sibi subjectis.
[57]
The anonymous continuator of Fredegarius, chap. 104, in the year 714.
