Royal Women and the Exercise of Power

The role of women in Merovingian politics deserves special attention, as queens and princesses often wielded considerable influence despite their formal exclusion from royal succession. Clotilde, Clovis's queen, exemplified this pattern. A Burgundian princess who maintained her Catholic faith despite her family's Arianism, she not only influenced her husband's conversion but also served as regent for her young sons after Clovis's death in 511.

Merovingian queens derived their power from several sources. As wives and mothers of kings, they controlled access to the royal person and could influence policy through informal channels. Queens often managed substantial property holdings, including their morning gift (dos) and other lands acquired through inheritance or royal grant. This economic independence provided resources for political action, including the ability to maintain armed retinues and support religious foundations.

The political importance of royal women increased during succession crises and minorities. When kings died leaving young heirs, queen mothers often assumed regency powers, governing in their sons' names and defending their interests against ambitious nobles and rival royal branches. These regencies could last for years, giving queen mothers extensive experience in governance and opportunities to build their own power networks.

However, the position of royal women remained precarious. The Merovingian practice of polygamy meant that kings often had multiple wives and concubines, creating rival centers of female influence and competing claims for royal succession. The distinction between wives and concubines was often fluid, with political circumstances determining which relationships received official recognition. This ambiguity could protect women by allowing flexible arrangements but also exposed them to sudden changes in status.