User:Angusmclellan/Arnulf of Metz

Arnulf (died 640x641) was Bishop of Metz from around 613 or 614 until his death.

Arnulf was born into the aristocracy of the Frankish kingdom of Austrasia. His family possessed vast estates in the Woëvre, the lands between the rivers Meuse and Moselle, as well as in the region of Worms on the Rhine. He was educated in his youth and joined the Frankish court where he served Gundulf, Mayor of the Palace. He was a successful soldier and this brought him to the notice of King Theodebert II, who took Arnulf into his service as an administrator. It is said that Arnulf wished to become a monk, and to join the Irish holy man Columbanus in the Vosges. However, pressured by his family, he agreed to marry and the marriage produced several children including two sons, Ansegisel and Chlodulf.

Arnulf was hostile to Queen Dowager Brunhilda of Austrasia, who dominated her grandson Theuderic II. When Theuderic died in 613, Brunhilda proposed to have his illegitimate son Sigebert II rule in Austrasia. As this would have resulted in Brunhilda being effective ruler, the Mayor of the Palace Warnachar II, along with nobles like Pippin of Landen and Arnulf, offered to stand aside and allow Clotaire II, the king of Neustria, to take the Austrasian throne.

For his betrayal of Brunhilda and Sigebert, Arnulf was rewarded with the bishopric of Metz and an appointment as tutor of Clotaire's youngest son, the future Dagobert I.