Theoderic and Theodebert, Kings of Franks

Theoderic II and Theodebert II were Merovingian kings of Burgundy and Austrasia respectively — grandsons of Queen Brunhild — who appear 5 times in this collection in connection with Pope Gregory the Great's correspondence. They were children during most of Gregory's pontificate, with Brunhild serving as regent. Gregory's letters to the Frankish kings deal with church reform, the suppression of simony, and the organization of the English mission. They reveal papal diplomacy at work: carefully crafted letters to barbarian rulers, mixing flattery with instruction, designed to advance the church's interests in territories Rome could not control but hoped to influence.
1
Letters sent
7
Letters received
8
Total letters
4
Correspondents

Top correspondents

All letters (8)

From Cassiodorusc. 506

BOOK ONE OF THE VARIAE

cassiodorus #20001
From Gregory the Great (Wisigothic)c. 594

I have sent my servant Augustine [later the first Archbishop of Canterbury] on a mission to the English people [the...

gregory great #4058
From Pope Gregory the Greatc. 599

Since the renown of your kingdom has been resplendent of old among all others by the grace of the Christian religion, great pains should be taken that, wherein you stand out more glorious than other nations, you should therein please more perfectly the Almighty Lord who gives health and wealth to kings, and have the faith which you observe in al...

gregory great #9110
From Pope Gregory the Greatc. 599

It is the chief good in kings to cultivate justice, and to preserve to every man his rights, and not to suffer subjects to have done to them what there is power to do, but what is equitable. Our trust that you both love and altogether aim at this invites us to indicate to your Excellency things that call for amendment, that so we may be able by ...

gregory great #9116
From Pope Gregory the Greatc. 601

One who receives with willing mind and embraces in the bosom of his heart words of fatherly admonition declares himself without doubt to be one who would be an amender of faults. On which account the absolute promise of your Excellence assures us sufficiently. For we hold in place of a pledge the words of one who is good for payment.

gregory great #11060
From Bonifacec. 746

To my most dear lord Aethelbald, King of the English, beloved in Christ above all other kings, Boniface, the...

boniface #32
To Bonifacec. 750

To the most holy archbishop Wynfrith, called Boniface, and worthily invested with the pontifical insignia,...

boniface #44
From Bonifacec. 753

To the most noble lord Pippin, King of the Franks, Bishop Boniface sends greetings.

boniface #45