The Myth of “Good King Dagobert”

“Good King Dagobert wore his trousers backwards…” Who doesn’t know this song? Yet it has almost nothing to do with the real 7th-century king.

A revolutionary song

The song only appears in the 18th century, more than 1,000 years after Dagobert’s death. It became popular during the French Revolution. Revolutionaries used it to mock the monarchy and King Louis XVI (“the fat king”), portrayed as a dull-witted, poorly dressed figure advised by a “Saint Eligius” representing nobility or clergy trying to reason with him.

Why Dagobert?

The choice of Dagobert likely comes from the popularity of his name and his legendary association with Saint Eligius in folk culture. Dagobert was also known for love of splendour and for numerous mistresses, which could serve as fuel for caricature.

The historical reality

Far from the image of a buffoon king, the real Dagobert was energetic, authoritarian, and feared. He rode across his kingdom to dispense justice, crushed Basque and Breton revolts, and stood up to powerful mayors of the palace. The “trousers backwards” image is therefore a late satirical invention.