Merovingian dynasty

The Merovingian dynasty was the ruling family of the Franks from around the middle of the 5th century until Pepin the Short in 751. They first appeared as "Kings of the Franks" in the Roman army of northern Gaul. By 509, they had united all the Franks and northern Gallo-Romans under their rule. They conquered most of Gaul, defeating the Visigoths in 507 and the Burgundians in 534, and also extended their rule into Raetia in 537.

The Merovingians were known for their long hair, which made them look different from other Franks who usually cut their hair short. People sometimes called them the "long-haired kings." A Merovingian king who had his hair cut could no longer rule, and a rival could be removed from the succession by being tonsured and sent to a monastery.

The first well-known Merovingian king was Childeric I, and his son Clovis I converted to Nicene Christianity, united the Franks, and conquered most of Gaul. During the last century of Merovingian rule, the kings were mostly figureheads, with real power held by the mayor of the palace. In 751, Pepin the Short removed the last king, Childeric III, and began the Carolingian dynasty.

Legendary origins

An old story from the 7th century says the Merovingian kings came from a strange sea creature called a quinotaur. The story tells of a woman named Chlodio who went to bathe in the sea. A sea creature came to her, and she later had a son named Merovech. Kings of the Franks were then called Merovingians after him.

People used to think this story was a real myth and showed the kings were special. Today, many think it was just a way to explain the name Merovech, which means "sea-bull." Some also think an old group called the Marvingi, living near the Rhine river, might have been their ancestors.

History

Clovis I became an important leader of the Franks after winning several battles. He defeated a Roman leader in 486 and later won against other groups, such as the Alemanni and Visigoths. After Clovis died, his kingdom was divided among his four sons, and this pattern of dividing the land continued for many years.

Over time, the kingdom had many internal conflicts as different family members ruled separate parts. Eventually, Clotaire II reunited the entire Frankish area under one ruler in 613. However, the power of the kings weakened as local leaders gained more influence. By the time of Dagobert I, the kings had less control, and later rulers were often called "do-nothing kings" because real power lay with their advisors. Finally, in 751, Pepin the Short ended Merovingian rule and became king himself.

Government

See also: Royal household under the Merovingians and Carolingians

The Merovingian kings shared their land and wealth with people who helped them. When a king died, his kingdom was split among his children. The kings chose leaders called counts to help with important jobs like protecting the land and solving problems. These counts gave soldiers and land to the king.

By the time of King Dagobert I, official papers looked like those used by the Romans and were written in Latin. Church leaders also helped with government work. Counts had to gather armies when the king needed them. Big meetings of nobles decided important things like whether to go to war. The king was chosen when soldiers lifted him on a shield to show he was their leader. Kings were supposed to support themselves using their own land.

Trade became less common after the Roman Empire ended, and most farms made what they needed. Trade between different places was mostly done by merchants from the Middle East.

Law

See also: Slavery in Merovingian Francia

Merovingian laws were different for different groups. For example, the Ripuarian Franks used their own law called Lex Ripuaria, and the Salian Franks used Salic Law. These laws were remembered by special officials instead of being written down. Most of the rules we know about from this time were about sharing property among family members.

Coinage

Before Theudebert I made his own coins, people in Francia used coins from the Byzantine Empire. Theudebert was the first to make coins in the Merovingian style. Later kings like Childebert I also made their own coins. Different kinds of coins, like the solidus, triens, and denarius, were used in Francia from 534 to 679. Today, you can see Merovingian coins at places like the Monnaie de Paris in Paris, as well as at the Bibliothèque Nationale and the Cabinet des Médailles.

Religion

See also: List of Merovingian monasteries and List of Frankish synods

Christianity came to the Franks through their contact with Gallo-Romanic culture and was helped to grow by monks. One well-known missionary was St. Columbanus, an Irish monk. The Merovingian kings and queens used the growing power of the church to help them. They gave land and important church jobs to people who supported them.

Many Merovingians became bishops or abbots and were later called saints. Some important saints were not from the Merovingian family but from the Gallo-Roman aristocracy. Stories about these saints were written to inspire people’s faith. These stories often included miracles and were read on special days to honor the saints.

Significant individuals

Kings

Main article: List of Frankish kings

Queens and abbesses

Many important women helped shape history during the time of the Franks. Some were queens, while others led religious communities called monasteries.

Notable women included:

• Genovefa (died 502)
• Clothilde, queen of the Franks (died 545)
• Monegund (died 544)
• Radegund, a Thuringian princess who started a monastery in Poitiers (died 587)
• Rusticula, leader of a religious group in Arles (died 632)
• Caesaria II, leader of St Jean in Arles (died around 550)
• Brunhilda, queen of a region called Austrasia (died 613)
• Fredegund, queen of another region called Neustria (died 597)
• Glodesind, leader of a religious group in Metz (died around 600)
• Burgundofara, leader of a religious group in Moutiers (died 645)
• Sadalberga, leader of a religious group in Laon (died 670)
• Rictrude, founder of a religious group in Marchiennes (died 688)
• Itta, founder of a religious group in Nivelles (died 652)
• Begga, leader of a religious group in Andenne (died 693)
• Gertrude of Nivelles, leader of a religious group in Nivelles (died 658)
• Aldegonde, leader of a religious group in Mauberges (died around 684)
• Waltrude, leader of a religious group in Mons (died around 688)
• Balthild, queen of the Franks (died around 680)
• Eustadiola (died 684)
• Bertilla, leader of a religious group in Chelles (died around 700)
• Anstrude, leader of a religious group in Laon (died before 709)
• Austreberta, leader of a religious group in Pavilly (died 703)

Language

In the time of the Merovingian dynasty, more people spoke the Gallo-Roman language than the Frankish language. This was especially true south of the Seine river. Most Frankish people lived near the Lower and Middle Rhine rivers. As you moved further south in Gaul, Frankish influence became weaker. There is little proof of Frankish people living south of the Loire river.

Because there are not many Frankish writings from that time, the Frankish language was quickly forgotten. In places like Neustria, Burgundy, and Aquitaine, people kept speaking a version of Latin called Vulgar Latin during the Merovingian and later Carolingian times. Some experts think that in western Austrasia and Neustria, public officials used a Germanic language as a second language until around the 850s. This language finally disappeared from everyday use in these areas during the 10th century.

Historiography and sources

Only a few records from the time of the Merovingian Franks have survived. One important source is the work of Gregory of Tours, a bishop who wrote about the kings of the Franks. Another source is called the Chronicle of Fredegar, which tells stories from a later time. There is also a book known as the Liber Historiae Francorum.

Other pieces of information come from old letters, laws, and stories about saints. Archaeologists have also found objects from graves, such as the tomb of Childeric I and a burial in Paris, which show us how people lived during this time.

Family tree

The Merovingian dynasty were kings who ruled the Franks from around the middle of the 5th century until 751. They began as leaders in the Roman army in northern Gaul and later became kings of the Franks. By 509, they had united all the Frankish tribes and the people of northern Gaul under their rule.

In popular culture

The Merovingians are important in French history and identity. Some people think the Gauls were more important. Charles de Gaulle once said that French history began with Clovis, the first Christian king of the Franks. He gave the name to France.

The Merovingians appear in books and movies. For example, they are mentioned in Marcel Proust’s novel In Search of Lost Time. A modern novel called The Merowingians tells a made-up story about a noble family. They also show up in the book The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail, which links them to an old story about a secret group called the Priory of Sion. This idea inspired the popular novel The Da Vinci Code. In the Matrix movies, there is a character called "the Merovingian."