RADULF, KING OF THURINGIA

'Radulf' was the Duke of Thuringia (''dux Thoringiae'') from 632 or 633 (certainly before 634) until his death after 642. He was a son of Chamar (or Chamaro), a Frankish aristocrat, and he rose to power under Dagobert I.
Radulf fought successfully against the Wends of Samo. He subsequently revolted and allied with the Agilolfing Duke of Bavaria, Fara. He became powerful in the region of Franconia around the river Main, but Dagobert defeated Fara quickly and easily. Entrenched in his fortress on the Unstrut, however, Radulf was not overcome.
In 642, he rebelled against Sigebert III and defeated his army, taking the title of ''rex'' or king of Thuringia.^[1] His success is usually considered an inicator of the ''roi fainéant'' phenomenon and of the undoing of the Merovingianc' accomplishments. His sons, Theotbald and Heden I, succeeded him, but they are very obscure figures.

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Sources

★ Reuter, Timothy. ''Germany in the Early Middle Ages 800–1056''. New York: Longman, 1991.

Notes

1. Reuter, 55.