This week, we’re going to wrap up what has been a three-part examination of the life and achievements of Pépin d’Herstal, a.k.a. Pépin II, a.k.a Pépin the Younger, a.k.a. Pépin le Gros. Pépin was a larger-than-life figure, a man who ruled Francia in part or in whole for nearly three and a half decades through legitimacy gained by the force of his will. He was the physical embodiment of two great houses, the Pippinids and the Arnulfids, coming together, and during his time in power he transcended the reigns of five kings: Dagobert II, Theuderic III, Clovis IV, Childebert III and Dagobert III. As this show purports to be a history of France, as seen from the eyes of her Kings and Queens, well, the eyes of the monarchy at this time were pretty much glued to Pépin and doing his bidding. He was the king in all but name.

For what it's worth, we're going to spend this show looking at how Pépin stabilized his family and legacy. He didn’t stray far from the established way of doing things: he had children. The women he had these children with were every bit as strong and willful as their husband, and the fight they'll put up in the wake of Pépin's death to get their progeny seated into power will define history as much as any action Pépin took himself. So sit down, strap in and get ready: the ladies are taking over this week!

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