DAGOBERT II

Merovingian king of Austrasia 676-679 A.D. Inherited throne 656 aged 5. Mayor-of-the-palace Grimoald had his hair shorn and sent him exile in Ireland so his own son could sit on the throne. Brought back in 676 and, during civil war with neighbouring Neustria in 679, assassinated by godson Jean in the sacred Forest of Woëvres near the Royal Palace of Stenay on December 23rd. Officially died without an heir. Unofficially had a son, Sigebert IV, who escaped to the Razés (Rennes-le-Château area) where he was sheltered by his grandfather and grew up to father a secret line of descent, the secrecy being kept by the Lords of Rennes