As a political ally and personal friend of the Austrasian major domus Pepin (I) of Landen, Bishop Kunibert of Cologne saw firsthand the transition underway from the Merovingian to the Carolingian dynasties. This sometimes violent transition in favor of the Austrasian aristocratic Arnulfing-Carolingian dynasty was all but secured de facto by Pepin (II) of Herstal through his unification of the three Merovingian royal offices of major domus (Austrasia, Neustria, and Burgundy) by 687. With the rise of this Austrasian prince to supremacy, the center of power in the Frankish Empire shifted back noticeably eastward from Paris, which would inevitably draw Cologne into the political events of the era.

Pepin's marriage to Plectrudis also assured that the early history of the Carolingians would involve Cologne in significant ways. She was one of the many daughters of Count Palatine Hugobert of Echternach and Irmina of Oeren, who possessed substantial estates in the Mosel region. Irmina’s family came from the environs of Trier, and it was she who donated land to St. Willibrord for the abbey of Echternach, a monastery that became a locus of pious patronage that drew the families of Plectrudis and Pepin together. Irmina also appears to have been heiress not only to lands throughout the Mosel region but also to a residence in Cologne. Plectrudis and Pepin visited the city numerous times, residing apparently in the capitol area where once stood the great temple to the Capitoline Triad. It was to this refuge that Plectrudis would flee during the succession conflict that arose at the death of Pepin (II) of Herstal in 714.

Though Pepin's two sons by Plectrudis did not survive him, Drogo and Grimoald II did leave three sons upon whom Plectrudis placed her hopes. In his last days she had persuaded Pepin to declare his grandson Theudoald (son of Grimoald II) as his legitimate heir and neglect Charles Martel and Childebrand, his sons by the concubine Chalpaida. As Theudoald was only eight years old, Plectrudis asserted herself as his regent. But the Frankish aristocracy opposed such a regency and turned increasingly either to Martel or to the Neustrian major domus Ragenfred as logical alternatives; the Austrasian magnates preferred Martel, given his drive and martial acumen.