General Notes

Blessed Pepin of Landen (AC)
(also known as Pippin)
Died February 21, c. 646. Pepin was, perhaps, the most important,
powerful person in the empire during his age. As duke of Brabant and
mayor of the palace (first minister) of kings Clotaire II, Dagobert I,
and Sigebert III, he determined much of the policy of the Franks. Pepin,
the ancestor of the Carolingian dynasty of French kings, was the husband
of Blessed Itta and father Grimoald, of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles and
Saint Begga. He is described as "a lover of peace and the constant
defender of truth and justice," though it may not seem that way at first
glance.
Pepin and Bishop Arnulf of Metz aided King Clotaire II of Neustria in
overthrowing Queen Brunhilda of Austrasia in 613. In recognition of the
important roles they played, Clotaire appointed them mayors of the palace
to rule Austrasia for Clotaire's son Dagobert I from 623. When Pepin
rebuked Dagobert (who had succeeded his father about 629) for his
licentious life, Dagobert discharged him and he retired to Aquitaine.
Dagobert still respected him enough to appoint him tutor of his
three-year-old son Sigebert before his death in 638, and Pepin returned
and ruled the kingdom until his own death the following year.
Pepin worked to spread the faith throughout the kingdom, defended
Christian towns from Slavic invaders, and chose responsible men to fill
vacant sees. The marriage of his daughter, Begga, and Bishop Arnulf's
son, Segislius, produced Pepin of Herstal, the first of the Carolingian
dynasty in France. Pepin of Landen was buried at Landen, but his relics
were later translated to Nivelle, where they are now enshrined with those
of his wife and daughter Gertrude. Here is feast is kept. Pepin was never
canonized but is listed as a saint in some of the old Belgic
martyrologies and a litany published by the authority of the archbishop
of Mechlin (Benedictines, Delaney, Encyclopedia, Husenbeth).