Towards a new western Empire, 714–800
Roger Collins
The change of dynasty in Francia 751 inevitably coloured the perspective all those historical works that were composed period followed it. Moreover, final century rule preceding has left us so few accounts itself it is fair to say last Merovingians do not speak for themselves. So much we know about them through distorting mirror Carolingian historiographical tradition. Even a work firmly Merovingian its original date composition, such as so-called Chronicle Fredegar, received continuations their inspiration and intent. core text, was completed around year 660, augmented by an equally anonymous author middle eighth century, working, he notes, on orders count Childebrand (d. 751/2) his son Nibelung. half-brother Charles Martel, Mayor Palace father first king.1