Pepin of Landen
Pippin the Elder Pepin of Landen or (* 580, † 640) was from 615/625 Franconian Meier house in Austrasia under three Merovingian kings. He is the progenitor of the Pippinids and was replaced by his daughter Begga to the ancestors of the later ruling dynasty of the Carolingians.
Life
About Pippin's ancestors is virtually nothing is known. Occasionally Carloman is called (of Landen Austrasia ) as a father.
His rise to power began in 613, when he intervened together with Bishop Arnulf of Metz and other Austrasian nobles in an internal power struggle of the Merovingians by the King Clotaire II of Neustria against the ruling in Austrasia and Burgundy, widow of King Sigibert I., Brunechildis, called for help. After her fall Chlothar prevailed all over the empire, but had to acknowledge in Edictum Chlotharii the power positions of the Austrasian nobility.
Another concession was the appointment of Chlothar 15 - year-old son Dagobert I. Under the king in Austrasia in 623. This was part of the Empire, which was dominated by Pippin and Arnulf with their clients, a certain degree of independence within the Merovingian kingdom. Pippin at the same time was an important advisor position and took no later than 625 formally the title of mayor of the palace, the most important public official in the kingdom.
Since Chlothar II but 629 died and his son Dagobert I moved to Neustria to take control in the overall realm, Pippin could not compete in the long run this influential position, although he retained the title of an Austrasian mayor of the palace. The alliance with Arnulf strengthened Pippin by his daughter married to Begga 635 with Arnulf's son Ansegisel.
First and Dagobert I. 638 or 639 died, leaving no sons in the government -age, Pippin could do with the support of the Austrasian nobility his leadership reassert claims.
Pippin the Elder died, however, even in the year 640
In the subsequent battle for the home office Meier, his son Grimoald sat by the Elder.
Pippin was married to Itta or Iduberga of Nivelles (* 592, † 8 May 652 ), which founded the monastery in the year 640 Andenne. The couple had four children:
- Bavo, also known as Count allowin of Haspengau.
- Begga, from 620 to about 692-695, married around 635 to Arnulf Inger Ansegisel and thus combined the power of Pippinids with Arnulf Inger.
- Grimoald the Elder, who I, of 615 or 616 to about 656, 657 or 662, was the successor of Pippin as home Meier.
- Saint Gertrude, 626-659, which was at 644 abbess of her mother recently donated the monastery of Nivelles. She is patron of the earth.