Coup d'État, Part Three (S2: E11)

This week we’re finishing the trilogy that began back in Episode Nine when Grimoald rode out into a field following the death of King Sigisbert III, collected up two boys - his son, Childebert, and the Crown Prince, Dagobert II - then sent the latter into exile while placing the former onto the throne of Austrasia. This coup almost worked; however, unlike horseshoes and hand grenades, where “almost” is good enough, well… as we’ve seen, it wasn’t good enough to keep Grimoald from likely being tortured and executed, and it wasn’t good enough to keep Childebert III (a.k.a. Childebert the Adopted) on the throne.

Now, just because the coup didn't succeed doesn't mean there were no aftershocks. And the person who gained the most from these was Queen (and eventual Saint) Bathilda. Her son Chlothar III would end up ruling in Paris, while the second oldest, Childeric II, would head to the throne of Austrasia in 660. The third child, Theuderic, had been born near to the time of his father’s death, and was still very young, but would get his chance at a crown in due course. Altogether, these boys ensured that all parts of France were tied to Bathilda and her benevolence. She was Queen Dowager, Queen Mother and Queen Regent, positions she Usinnot have held if not for the Austrasian coup. She used the power available to her unique position to advocate for causes near to her heart: she ended unbearable taxes that led people to sell their children into bondage, or worse yet, to end the lives of infants that parents couldn’t sustain. These same taxes restrained many from marrying, and the good Queen discharged her people from these burdens, earning their love and devotion. Past all of this, she worked to put an end to slavery; not too bad for a woman who arrived to Francia in chains...

So come along as we see the notion of unintended consequences in action in this, the final episode of our Coup d'État trilogy!

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