Battle of Autun (640s)
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The Battle of Autun was a pitched battle in 642 or 643,[1] concluding a feud between Flaochad and Willebad, two magnates of the Merovingian kingdom of Burgundy.[2] The battle is recounted in detail in the final chapter of the contemporary Chronicle of Fredegar and also in the biographies of saints Eligius of Noyon and Sigiramn. While Fredegar seems hostile to Willebad, the hagiographers are hostile to Flaochad.[3] The anonymous author of Fredegar may have been an eyewitness.[4]
Shortly before her death, the queen regent Nantechildis appointed Flaochad, described by Fredegar as "of the race of the Franks" (genere Francorum), as mayor of the palace of Burgundy. This office had been vacant since 626 or 627, when the mayor Warnachar died and the Burgundian nobility opted not to replace him.[5] According to Fredegar, it was on his first circuit of Burgundy that Flaochad remembered he had long hated Willebad, who held the rank of patrician, and began plotting to kill him.[4] According to the Life of Sigiramn, Willebad was a former pupil of Flaochad. Fredegar claims that Willebad "had become very rich by seizing the properties of a great many people by one means or another" and, puffed up with pride on account of his rank and wealth, demeaned Flaochad.[3]
In May 642 or 643, Flaochad convoked a placitum at Chalon, intending to seek a judgement against Willebad.[6] When the latter arrived with his retinue, he realized the danger he was in and refused to enter the palace.[3][6] Flaochad attempted to have Willebad killed, but his plan was foiled and he marched out to fight. Flaochad's brother, Amalbert, intervened successfully to prevent bloodshed.[4] Willebad, however, took the mayor's brother hostage to cover his retreat from Chalon.[6]
Royal intervention and the battle at Autun
After the failed placitum, Flaochad went to Paris to ask the child-king Clovis II to intervene in person.[6] The king summoned Willebad to appear before him in Autun.[3] In September, Clovis and Flaochad, accompanied by a large group of Neustrians, arrived in Autun. Suspecting he would have to fight, Willebad collected a large army from his followers, both ecclesiastical and lay, before marching on Autun.[6] According to Fredegar, "he assembled a large force from the limits of his patriciate, as well as all the bishops, nobles and warriors whom he could collect".[7] The former may have been a part of the standing army that traditionally served under the Burgundian patrician, a general levy of whatever lands constituted the patriciate or the same scara that had served under Willebad against the Basques in 635.[6][8] Willebad, however, refused to enter Autun, even at the king's urging.[3][4]
Flaochad and his allies—the dukes Amalgar, Chramnelen and Wandelbert—with their followings marched out of Autun to meet Willebad in battle. The Neustrians under their mayor, Erchinoald, and the Burgundians who had given their support to Flaochad were reluctant to join.[6] The actual battle probably involved only a small fraction of all the troops present in Autun.[8] A Transjuran Frank named Berthar, a count of the palace to Clovis II, was the first to try to kill Willebad. He was seriously wounded, however, when he offered protection under his shield to an old friend, a Burgundian named Manaulf. The latter stabbed him, and Berthar was only saved at the last moment by his son Chaubedo, who charged Manaulf on horseback, killing him and his men with a lance.[6][9][10][11] Willebad and many of his followers were killed in the battle.[4][6] The Neustrians who had remained aloof plundered Willebad's camp, seizing a large number of horses.[6] The account of Berthar, Manaulf and Chaubedo shows some fighting on foot and others on horse. The account of the plunder seems to show that many rode to battle but dismounted to fight.[10]