General Notes

King of Austrasia & the Franks, King of Metz 531-35

King of Metz 561-575 - Sigebert inherited the kingdom of Metz on the death of his father Chlotar in 561. In 562, Sigebert defeated a Hunnic army that invaded Gaul, and peace was made between the two forces. At that time, his brother Chilperic, King of Soissons, invaded Metz and took several cities rightly belonging to Sigebert, thus starting a civil war. Sigebert marched to the city of Soissons, exiled Theudebert, Chilperic's son in command of the city, and then beat Chilperic in battle. Sigebert married Brunhild, the Arian daughter of King Anthanagild of the Visigoths, who was converted to Catholicism. In 566 the Huns again invaded Metz, and this time were successful over Sigebert. The next year, Sigebert's brother King Charibert of Paris died, and his kingdom was divided between the three living sons of Chlotar. Right away, Chilperic invaded Sigebert's share. He attacked Tours and left his son Clovis in command. Clovis was driven out of Tours by Sigebert, and then driven out of Bordeaux by Sigulf (573), one of Sigebert's generals. Civil war then began between Sigebert and his other brother King Guntram of Burgundy, and, at the same time, Theudebert (son of Chilperic before mentioned) invaded Metz and destroyed many cities. In 574, Sigebert allied himself with Guntram and planned to counter, but when Guntram shifted his alliance from Chilperic to Sigebert that was enough to make him surrender. However the next year, Chilperic succeeded in winning back his brother Guntram, and another war was started with Sigebert. Theudebert was beaten and killed, Guntram again swiched alliances, and Chilperic again retreated. This year, however, Sigebert was assassinated, and his kingdom passed to his son Childebert II.