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Carloman, d. 754, mayor of the palace in the kingdom of Austrasia after the death (741) of his father, Charles Martel. Ruling with his brother, Pepin the Short, he carried on successful wars against the dukes of Acquitaine, the Saxons, the Swabians, and the Bavarians. The brothers helped St. Boniface reform the Frankish Church, bringing church and state into closer relationship. In 747, Carloman retired to a monastery. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sigebert I (sĭg′əbərt), d. 575, Frankish king of Austrasia (561–75), son of Clotaire I. He constantly feuded with his brother Chilperic I, who had inherited the western portion of the Frankish lands, which came to be known as Neustria. The hatred between the two was intensified after Chilperic murdered (567) his wife, Galswintha, who was the sister of Sigebert's wife, Brunhilda. When Chilperic attacked Austrasia in 573, a desire for vengeance made Sigebert vindictive, and in the fighting he overran Neustria. He was about to be proclaimed king of Neustria when he was assassinated by order of Fredegunde, whom Chilperic had married after Galswintha's death. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Pepin of Landen (Pepin I), d. 639?, mayor of the palace of the Frankish kingdom of Austrasia. With Arnulf, bishop of Metz, he called in King Clotaire II of Neustria to overthrow (613) Queen Brunhilda of Austrasia. Clotaire II became king of Austrasia as well as Neustria but was forced to concede much of his authority to Pepin and Arnulf. From 623 they ruled Austrasia in the name of Clotaire's son Dagobert I, whom he had designated king. After Dagobert succeeded his father (629), Pepin lost his influence and withdrew into Acquitaine. By the marriage of Pepin's daughter with Arnulf's son, Pepin and Arnulf founded the Carolingian dynasty. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Pepin of Heristal (Pepin II) (hĕr′ĭstəl pĕp′ĭn), d. 714, mayor of the palace (680–714) of the Frankish territory of Austrasia; grandson of Pepin of Landen and father of Charles Martel. After defeating the nobles of Neustria at the battle of Tertry (687), Pepin made himself mayor, or ruler, of all the Frankish kingdoms except Acquitaine, with the Merovingian dynasty retaining the nominal kingship. He defeated the Frisians, the Alemanni, and the Bavarians and established a strong government, thus laying the foundation for the empire of his descendants, the Carolingian mayors and kings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]