 Clothar took power upon the death of his mother in 597; though rich, Neustria was one of the smallest portions of Francia.He continued his mother's feud with Queen Brunhilda of Austrasia with equal viciousness and bloodshed, finally achieving her execution in an especially brutal manner in 613, after winning the battle that enabled Chlothar to unite Francia under his rule.Like his father, he built up his territories by seizing lands after the deaths of other kings.