Theuderic III explained

Theuderic III
King of the Franks
Succession:King in Neustria and Burgundy
Reign:673
Predecessor:Chlothar III
Successor:Childerich II
Reign1:675–691
Predecessor1:Childeric II
Successor1:Clovis IV
Succession2:King in Austrasia
Reign2:679-691
Predecessor2:Dagobert II
Successor2:Clovis IV
Spouse:Chrothildis
Amalberga
Issue:Clovis IV
Childebert III
Clovis III (?)
House:Merovingian
House-Type:Dynasty
Father:Clovis II
Mother:Balthild
Birth Date:c. 651
Death Date:c.

Theuderic III (also spelled Theuderich, Theoderic or Theodoric; French: Thierry, c. 651–691) was King of the Franks in the 7th century. He ruled Neustria and Burgundy on two occasions (in 673 and again from 675 to 691), as well as Austrasia from 679 until his death in 691.

The son of Clovis II and Balthild, Theuderic has been described as a puppet ruler – a roi fainéant. After the death of his older brother Chlothar III, he was appointed King in Neustria by Ebroin, Mayor of the Palace, in 673, though Childeric II of Austrasia displaced him soon thereafter. After Childeric II was killed in 675, Theuderic II retook the throne. He subsequently fought a war against Dagobert II, with his forces under Ebroin victorious at the Battle of Lucofao. After Dagobert was murdered in 679, Theuderic was also recognized as king in Austrasia as well.

He and the Neustrian mayor of the palace, Waratton, made peace with Pepin of Heristal, mayor of the palace of Austrasia, in 681. However, on Waratton's death in 686, the new mayor, Berchar, made war with Austrasia and Pepin vanquished the Burgundo-Neustrian army under Berchar and Theuderic (a Neustrian) at the Battle of Tertry in 687, thus paving the way for Austrasian dominance of the Frankish state.

Marriage and issue

Theuderic married Chrothildis-Chrodechild Königin der Franken, a daughter of Ansegisel and Saint Begga of Landen.

They had the following children:

He married Amalberge (Saint Amalaberga) before 674, daughter of Wandregisis and Farahild.

Bibliography