In 604, Theuderic, at the suggestion of his grandmother Brunhilda, sent Berthoald to inspect the royal villae along the Seine, in order to have him away from court so that he might be conveniently killed.
Berthoald and three hundred men were at Arèle when King Clotaire II of Neustria—alerted by some means to his presence— sent an army under his son Merovech and his mayor Landric to assault him.
Berthoald fled to Orléans, and Landric followed and besieged him, which violated a peace treaty with Theuderic.
The king of Burgundy went out at Christmas to Étampes and met the forces of Merovech and Landric.
Berthoald was killed in battle, having charged the enemy too far, with no regard for his own life, which he knew was in danger at court because of the plottings on behalf of Protadius.