 This political relationship gave the Carolingians authority and power in the Frankish kingdom.Beginning with Pippin II, the Carolingians set out to put the ("kingdom of the Franks") back together, after its fragmentation after the death of Dagobert I, a Merovingian king.After an early failed attempt in c. 651 to usurp the throne from the Merovingians, the early Carolingians began to slowly gain power and influence as they consolidated military power as Mayors of the Palace.