The Death of Charibert II and the Reabsorption of Aquitaine by Dagobert I (632 CE)

On April 8, 632 CE, Charibert II, the King of Aquitaine, dies at Blaye, possibly assassinated on the orders of his half-brother, Dagobert I. Shortly thereafter, his infant son, Chilperic of Toulouse, is also killed, effectively eliminating his bloodline and bringing an end to the independent rule of Aquitaine.

Following these events, Aquitaine and Gascony are reabsorbed into Dagobert’s realm, making him the most powerful Merovingian king in the West.

1. The Death of Charibert II and His Son

• Charibert dies at Blaye under suspicious circumstances, possibly due to an assassination orchestrated by Dagobert I to remove a rival claimant to power.
• His infant son, Chilperic of Toulouse, is also killed soon after, ensuring that Charibert’s dynasty is completely extinguished.
• Both Charibert and Chilperic are buried in the Basilica of Saint-Romain at Blaye, marking the final end of their short-lived rule over Aquitaine.

2. Dagobert I Becomes the Supreme Merovingian King

• With Charibert’s death and the collapse of his dynasty, Aquitaine and Gascony revert to Dagobert I, who annexes them into his already vast realm.
• This makes Dagobert the most powerful Merovingian ruler of his time, briefly achieving a level of unity not seen since Clovis I.

3. The Legacy of Charibert II’s Reign

• Though short-lived, Charibert’s rule marked the first attempt at establishing an independent Aquitaine within the Frankish kingdom.
• His death reinforces the pattern of brutal Merovingian succession struggles, where assassination and dynastic purges are common tools of power consolidation.
• The temporary unity under Dagobert foreshadows future divisions, as Aquitaine will later regain autonomy under the Carolingians.

Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Charibert’s Death

The assassination of Charibert II and his son in 632 CE marks a turning point in Merovingian history, as Dagobert I emerges as the most dominant ruler in Western Europe. However, while Aquitaine is reintegrated into the Frankish realm, the region’s independent identity remains strong, setting the stage for future separatist movements in southern Gaul.