Arnulf of Metz

Saint Arnulf of Metz (c. 582 – 640) is a Frankish bishop of Metz and advisor to the Merovingian court of Austrasia, who retires to the Abbey of Remiremont.

Arnulf was born to an important Frankish family at an uncertain date around 582.

His father was probably Baudgise or Baudegisel II of Aquitaine (d. 588), Palace Mayor and Duke of Sueve and his mother probably Oda.

In his younger years he is called to the Merovingian court of king Theudebert II (595–612) of Austrasia and sent to serve as dux at the Schelde.

Later he becomes bishop of Metz.

During his career he was attracted to religious life, and he retired to become a monk.

After his death he is canonized as a saint.

In French he is also known as Arnoul or Arnoulf.

In English he is also known as Arnold.

Arnulf gives distinguished service at the Austrasian court under Theudebert II.

After the death of Theudebert in 612 he is made bishop of Metz.

The rule of Austrasia comes into the hands of Brunhilda, the grandmother of Theudebert, who rules also in Burgundy in the name of her great-grandchildren.

In 613 Arnulf joins his politics with Pippin of Landen and leads the opposition of Frankish nobles against Queen Brunhilda.

The revolt leads to her overthrow, torture, and eventual execution, and the subsequent reunification of Frankish lands under Chlothar II.

Chlothar later makes his son Dagobert I king of Austrasia and he rules with the help of his adviser Arnulf.

Not satisfied with his position as a bishop, he is involved in the 624 murder of Chrodoald, an important leader of the Frankish Agilolfings family and a protégé of Dagobert.

From 623 (with Pippin of Landen, then the Mayor of the Palace), Arnulf is an adviser to Dagobert I.

He retires around 628 to a hermitage at a mountain site in the Vosges, to realize his lifelong resolution to become a monk and a hermit.

His friend Romaric, whose parents had been killed by Brunhilda, had preceded him to the mountains and together with Amatus had already established Remiremont Abbey there.

Arnulf settles there, and remains there until his death twelve years later.

Arnulf was married ca 596 to a woman whom later sources give the name of Dode or Doda, (born ca 584), and had children.

Chlodulf of Metz was his oldest son, but more important is his second son Ansegisel, who married Begga daughter of Pepin I, Pippin of Landen.

Arnulf is thus the male-line grandfather of Pepin of Herstal, great-grandfather of Charles Martel and 3rd great grandfather of Charlemagne.

Arnulf was canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.

In iconography he is portrayed with a rake in his hand.

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