Chlodomer

Chlodomer, also spelled Clodomir or Clodomer, born around 495, was the second of the four sons of Clovis I, King of the Franks. On the death of his father, in 511, he divided the kingdom of the Franks with his three brothers: Theuderic I, Childebert I and Clotaire I. Although Theuderic, the eldest, had a better claim, Chlodomer divided half of the kingdom with his two other brothers. This was the Kingdom of Orléans, taken from the former kingdom of Syagrius. This kingdom included, most notably, the bishoprics of Tours, Poitiers and Orléans.

Related Topics:
495 - Clovis I - King of the Franks - 511 - Franks - Theuderic I - Childebert I - Clotaire I - Kingdom of Orléans - Syagrius - Bishopric - Tours - Poitiers - Orléans

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chlodomer married Guntheuca, with whom he had three sons: Theodebald, Gunthar and Clodoald (later known as St. Cloud).

Related Topics:
Guntheuca - Theodebald - Gunthar - Clodoald

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 523-524, possibly at the instigation of his mother Clotilde, who was eager to avenge her nephew who had been assassinated by Sigismund of Burgundy, Chlodomer joined with his brothers in an expedition against the Burgundians. After capturing Sigismund, Chlodomer returned to Orléans. However, Sigismund's brother Gondomar returned triumphantly to Burgundy at the head of the troops sent by his ally, the Ostrogoth king Theodoric. There, he massacred the garrison the Franks had left behind.

Related Topics:
523 - 524 - Clotilde - Sigismund of Burgundy - Burgundians - Gondomar - Ostrogoth - Theodoric

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Although victorious, Chlodomer had Sigismund and his sons Gisald and Gondebaud assassinated on May 1, 524. He then led a second expedition against the Burgundians.

Related Topics:
Gisald - Gondebaud - May 1 - 524

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was killed on this expedition, in the spring or summer of the same year, at the Battle of Vézeronce. His three sons were entrusted to his mother until his widow married Clotaire I. Clothair however had Chlodomer's children killed, although Clodovald managed to escape. Better known as Saint Cloud, he later became abbot of Nogent, having given up his hair, the symbol of the Frankish royalty, rather than giving up his life.

Related Topics:
Battle of Vézeronce - Clotaire I - Nogent

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~