The Merovingian dynasty was represented by an old man and by two children, and the Aquitanians thought that their chance had come to have a king of their own. They summoned from Constantinople one Gundowald, reputed to be of royal Frank blood. [Illustration: Clovis I K. of the Franks _d._ 511 | +----------------+---------------------+ | | Childebert I Clothair I K. of Paris K. of Soissons, Orleans, Metz, _d._ 558 and finally of Paris _d._ 561 | +-------------+---------------+----------+--+------------+ | | | | | Charibert Gunthram Chilperie Segebert Gundowald K. of Paris K. of Orleans K. of Soissons K. of Metz _murdered_ 587 _d._ 567 _d._ 593 _d._ 584 _d._ 575 | Childebert II K. of Metz _d._ 596] Gregory of Tours says:-- “Gundowald, who said he was the son of Clothair I, arrived at Marseilles, coming from Constantinople. He had been born in Gaul, had been carefully educated, taught letters, and, as is the custom with kings of the Franks, had his hair flowing in long curls over his shoulders. He was presented by his mother to King Childebert (his uncle, King of Paris), and she said to him, ‘Behold your nephew, the son of Clothair. His father ever hated him, but do you take him to you, for he is your own flesh and blood.’ And this Childebert did, as he had no son of his own.” This was the prince whom the Aquitanians invited to rule over them. Clothair I had divided the kingdom of the Franks among his sons, but three of these were dead; Sigebert, King of Metz, however, had left a son, Childebert II. Gunthram, King of Orleans, still lived. Gundowald visited his nephew, Childebert, at Metz, and was favourably received by him. Childebert and Gundowald sent Duke Boso with a deputation to Gunthram, King of Orleans, to demand the recognition of the prince, and that he should be given Aquitaine as a kingdom. The deputation was roughly received by Gunthram at Orleans, seated on his throne. “Pshaw!” said he, “Gundowald’s father was a miller, or, to be more exact, a carder of wool.” Then one of the deputies said boldly, “Do you pretend that Gundowald had two fathers--one a miller, the other a wool-carder? Who ever heard of a man having two fathers?” Another deputy broke out with--“Take care, King, the axe that cut off the heads of your brothers has not lost its edge.”