Mayors and Princes
Edward James
Dagobert I died in 638, the last energetic and effective Merovingian king; there followed over one hundred years during which ‘rois faineants’ ruled Francia — ‘do-nothing kings’. This traditional picture is misleading: a great deal of difference between immediate successors misty figures early eighth century. If some seventh-century kings were ‘do-nothings’, it was because dynastic accident: they minors, under domination their mother or mayor palace. The period has often been seen terms gradual inevitable rise Carolingian mayors palace; but perhaps more significant long run (and far inevitable) way monarchy lost control much Gaul. reconquest Gaul century only brought temporary pause movement towards regional local autonomy.