Pepin (c. 635 – 16 December 714), commonly known as Pepin of Herstal, is a Frankish statesman and military leader who de facto rules Francia as the Mayor of the Palace from 680 until his death.
He takes the title, Duke and Prince of the Franks, upon his conquest of all the Frankish realms.
The son of the powerful Frankish statesman, Ansegisel, Pepin works to establish his family, the Pippinids, as the strongest in Francia.
He is able to realize his dreams by becoming Mayor of the Palace in Austrasia in 680.
Pepin subsequently embarks on several wars to expand his power.
He unites all the Frankish realms by the conquest of Neustria and Burgundy in 687.
In foreign conflicts, Pepin increases the power of the Franks by his subjugation of the Alemanni, the Frisians, and the Franconians.
He also begins the process of evangelization of Germany.
Pepin's statesmanship is notable for the further diminution of Merovingian royal authority, and for the acceptance of the undisputed right to rule for his family.
Therefore, Pepin is able to name as heir, his grandson, Theudoald; however, this is not accepted by his powerful bastard son, Charles Martel, leading to a civil war after his death in which the latter emerges victorious.
