Britannica Sources used in this answer

How did the Franks conquer the Burgundian kingdom in 534?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Map of France highlighting the Burgundy (Bourgogne) region in white at the center-east of the country, with major cities such as Dijon, Nevers, Auxerre, and Macon labeled. Surrounding countries and bodies of water, including Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea, are also shown. An inset map in the upper left corner shows the location of Burgundy within France. — Burgundy Burgundy (Bourgogne), historical region of France.

The conquest of the Burgundian kingdom by the Franks was achieved through two distinct military campaigns aimed at expanding Frankish dominion over Gaul.12

The first campaign began in 523, when the Frankish kings Clodomir, Childebert I, and Chlotar I—acting as allies of the Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great—invaded Burgundy. Although they captured and killed the Burgundian king Sigismund, the Franks were later defeated by the new Burgundian king, Godomer, at the Battle of Vézeronce, which forced a Frankish retreat and resulted in the death of Clodomir.12

The Franks regained the offensive between 532 and 534 under the leadership of Childebert I, Chlotar I, and Theodebert I. This second effort succeeded in annexing the Burgundian kingdom, which was subsequently divided among the Frankish kings, effectively extinguishing the Burgundian royal dynasty.132