38 Facts About Chlothar I

Chlothar I spent most of his life in a campaign to expand his territories at the expense of his relatives and neighbouring realms in all directions.

Chlothar I's brothers avoided outright war by cooperating with Chlothar's attacks on neighbouring lands in concert or by invading lands when their rulers died.

Chlothar I likely had an illegitimate son named Gondovald with an unnamed woman, born sometime in the late 540s or early 550s.

Since Chlothar I had sown children all throughout Gaul this was not unlikely.

Chlothar I married Guntheuc, Queen of Orleans and widow of Chlodomer, his brother.

Chlothar I remained his wife until the death of her sister, Ingund, in 546, after which she fell out of favor with Chlothar.

Chlothar I insisted that much of her food be given to the poor.

Chlothar I spent most of her time praying and singing psalms but spent very little time with the king.

Chlothar I's allegiance was to God first and to Chlothar second.

Chlothar I retired to a convent and went on to found the abbey in Poitiers St Croix, the first nunnery in Europe.

Chlothar I was very ambitious and sought to extend his domain.

Chlothar I shared the second half of the kingdom with his brothers Childebert and Chlodomer.

Chlothar I received the northern portion, Childebert the central kingdom of Paris, and Chlodomer the southern Kingdom of Orleans.

The domain inherited by Chlothar I consisted of two distinct parts: one in Gaulic Belgium, corresponding to the kingdom of the Salian Franks, where he established his capital at Soissons and included the dioceses of Amiens, Arras, Saint-Quentin and Tournai; and the other in Aquitane including the dioceses of Agen, Bazas, and Perigueux.

However, having been injured after a victory, he appealed to Chlothar I to continue the war.

Chlothar I was the chief instigator in the murder of his brother Chlodomer's children in 524, and his share of the spoils consisted of the cities of Tours and Poitiers.

Chlothar I gave the queen an ultimatum: the boys could either live as monks or die.

Chlothar I demanded that Childebert carry through with the murder, stating that it was the only way to consolidate power.

Chlothar I renounced all claims and chose a monastic life.

Chlothar I received Grenoble, Die and many of the neighbouring cities.

Chlothar I attempted to take advantage of Theuderic's illness during this time, trying to attain his kingdom with the help of Childebert.

In spring 542, Childebert and Chlothar I, accompanied by three of his sons, led an army into Visigoth Hispania.

The murder of Amalasuntha, the daughter of Theodoric the Great, and of Audofleda, sister of Clovis I, at the hands of King Theodahad of Tuscany caused Chlothar I to threaten invasion if he did not receive a payment.

However, Childebert and Theudebert cheated Chlothar I, Childebert taking the money and Theudebert the land that Theodahad's successor, Vitiges turned over.

Chlothar I's treasury was still much larger than either Childebert's or Theudebert's.

In 555, Chlothar I attacked and conquered the Saxons, who had revolted, in the upper valley of the Weser, Elbe, and the coast of the North Sea.

Chlothar I offered to forego battle if they would accept his demand to continue to pay him tribute, despite a previous rejection.

Chlothar I sent his sons Charibert and Guntram to lead an army against Chram.

The rumor that Chlothar I had died in Saxony spread throughout Gaul, even reaching the ears of Childebert.

Chlothar I had made such an agreement with his father-in-law Willacharius, Count of Orleans, although he was currently taking refuge himself in the Basilica of St Martin of Tours.

Conomor owned land on both sides of the Channel, and Chram perhaps intended to flee from Chlothar I to take refuge in England with the support of Conomor.

Chlothar I was then captured and immediately sentenced to death.

In 561, Chlothar I attempted to raise taxes on churches, despite the exemption granted by Roman law which had been routinely confirmed by past kings.

Similarly, Chlothar I exiled the bishop of Trier, Nizier, because of its inflexibility on canon law.

Ingund and Chlothar I made many additions to churches, including the decorations of the tomb of Saint-Germain Auxerre; the basilica are preserved with a given royal chalice.

Chlothar I financed the construction of the monastery of Sainte-Croix in Poitiers, which folds Radegund.

Chlothar I transferred reliquaries that the queen had accumulated during her stay with the king to the monastery of St Croix.

Chlothar I died at the end of 561 of acute pneumonia at the age of 64, leaving his kingdom to his four sons.