Historical Figures

Clotaire I (497 - 561)

Third son of Clovis and Clotilde, Clotaire is the bloodiest and most cunning of his brothers. He inherited the kingdom of Soissons (future Neustria). When his brother Clodomir dies, he brutally murders his sons despite Childebert's reluctance. The two brothers then set off on a campaign against the Burgundians and the Visigoths. On the death of Théodebert son of Thierry I, he again enlarged his territory. He ravaged Saxony and Thuringia in the East, then after coming into conflict with his son left to confront him in Brittany where he found refuge. On the death of Childebert and Théodebald (son of Théodebert), Clotaire reigns over the entire Frankish kingdom which has grown since the reign of his father Clovis. Clotaire has a large number of women including the widow of his brother Clodomir. The kingdom is divided between his four sons at his death (Caribert, Gontran, Sigebert I, and Chilpéric I).