Скачать или смотреть The Rival Queens and the Rise of the Mayors

After the death of Chlothar I, the Frankish kingdom fractured into competing territories, primarily Austrasia, Neustria, and Burgundy, which were governed by his sons. This era was defined by a brutal, decades-long rivalry between two powerful queens, Brunhilda and Fredegund, whose personal hatred fuelled constant civil war and political assassinations. As these royal conflicts weakened the Merovingian dynasty, the mayors of the palace began to seize administrative control, eventually transforming their roles into permanent, hereditary positions of authority. Over time, the kings lost their influence and became figureheads known as the "do-nothing kings", while the mayors effectively ruled the realms. This shift in power allowed ambitious officials like Pippin the Elder to consolidate strength, setting the stage for a new political order. The sources illustrate a turbulent transition from a unified monarchy to a system dominated by noble administrators and internal strife.