Editing Carolingian dynasty (section)

==== Grimoald (640–656) ====
Following Pippin's sudden death, the Pippinid family worked swiftly to secure their position. Pippin's daughter [[Gertrude of Nivelles|Gertrude]] and wife [[Itta of Metz|Itta]] founded and entered the [[Nivelles Abbey]], and his only son [[Grimoald the Elder|Grimoald]] worked to secure his father's position of ''maior palatii.'' The position was not hereditary and therefore passed to another Austrasian noble, Otto, the tutor of Sigebert III.<ref name="Riché-1993c" /> According to the ''Continuations'', Grimoald began to work with his father's accomplice Cunibert to remove Otto from office. He finally succeeded in {{Circa|641}}, when [[Leuthari II|Leuthari II, Duke of Alamannia]] killed Otto under Grimoald's and, we must assume, Cunibert's orders.<ref name="Nelson-1960c" /> Grimoald then became mayor of Austrasia. His power at this time was extensive, with properties in [[Utrecht]], [[Nijmegen]], [[Tongeren]] and [[Maastricht]]; he was even called 'ruler of the realm' by [[Desiderius of Cahors]] in 643.<ref name="Riché-1993c" />

This could not have been done if Grimoald had not secured Sigibert III's support. The Pippinids already gained royal patronage from Pippin I's support, but this was further bolstered by Grimoald's role in Duke Radulf of Thuringia's rebellion. Just prior to Otto's assassination, in {{circa|640}} Radulf revolted against the Merovingians and made himself King of Thuringia. Sigibert, with an Austrasian army including Grimoald and Duke [[Adalgisel]], went on campaign and after a brief victory against [[Fara (son of Chrodoald)|Fara]], son of the assassinated [[Agilolfings|Agilofing]] lord Chrodoald, the Austrasians met Radulf on the [[Unstrut|River Unstrut]] where he had set up a stronghold. What followed was a disorganized battle spread over several days, in which the Austrasian lords disagreed on tactics. Grimoald and Adalgesil strengthened their position by defending Sigibert's interests, but could not establish a unanimous agreement. During their final assault, the 'men of [[Mainz]]' betrayed the Austrasians and joined with Radulf. This penultimate battle killed many important Austrasian lords, including Duke [[Bobo of Auvergne|Bobo]] and Count [[Innowales]], and resulted in Sigibert's defeat. The ''Continuations'' offers a famous description of Sigibert being 'seized with the wildest grief and sat there on his horse weeping unrestrainedly for those he had lost' as Radulf returned to his camp victorious.<ref name="Nelson-1960c" />

Upon Sigibert's return from Unstruct, Grimoald, now mayor, began to build power for the Pippinid clan. He utilized the existing links between the family and ecclesiastical community to gain control over local holy men and women who, in turn, supported Pippinid assertions of power. Grimoald established links with Aquitanian and Columbianan missionaries [[Amandus]] and [[Remaclus]], both of whom came to be influential bishops within the Merovingian court. Remaclus, in particular, was important as after becoming bishop of Maastricht, he established two monasteries: [[Stavelot Abbey|Stavelot Abbey and Malmedy]]. Under Grimoald's direction, the Arnulfings were also further established with [[Chlodulf of Metz]], son of St. Arnulf, taking the bishopric of Metz in 656.<ref name="Riché-1993c" />