Letter 11

From: Childebert II, King of the Franks (Austrasia) To: Emperor Maurice Date: ~585 AD Context: Childebert II, who became king of Austrasia as a child and was long under the influence of his mother Brunhild, writes to Emperor Maurice seeking a joint campaign against the Lombards who occupied much of northern Italy. To the most pious and ever-victorious Emperor Maurice, from his friend Childebert, king of the Franks, greetings in Christ, The common threat posed by the Lombards [who had invaded Italy from the north in 568, occupying large parts of the peninsula and threatening both Roman and Frankish interests] to the civilization we both defend is a subject we have discussed through our ambassadors, and I write now to move from discussion to proposal. The Lombards are dangerous not simply because they are militarily effective — which they are — but because they have shown no inclination toward the settled, ordered governance that is the basis of civilized life. Their kingdom is a disruption to the whole of Italy, and the suffering of the Italian population under their rule and in the wars between their territories and Roman ones is very great. What I propose is a coordinated campaign: Frankish forces advancing from the north and west while Roman forces apply pressure from the south and east. The timing would need to be agreed between our commanders, and the division of any territorial gains would need to be negotiated in advance. I am not proposing to do this as a favor to the Empire; I am proposing it as an alliance of equal powers with a shared interest. I send with this letter my ambassador Grippo, who is empowered to negotiate the specifics. I ask that you receive him as you would receive me. Childebert, by God's grace king of the Franks