| A dynasty of Frankish rulers.
Named after the founder of the line, Merovech, ruler of the eastern Salian Franks, the dynasty known as the Merovingians, AD. 447-752, expanded their empire from the eastern lands of Soissons to the whole of northern Gaul (France). The Merovingian dynasty reached its height under Clovis I, whose armies routed and staughtered the Roman occupation forces and were the first post-Latin monarchial dynasty of France. After Clovis's death, the power of his heirs was split into regional kingdoms and waned into the time of Charlemagne.
Little is known about Merovech himself; much is shrouded in legend. According to some Gnostic versions of history, the Merovingians were the direct descendants of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, who according to some Gnostic scriptures had children. All legends aside, the Merovingians were kings of France beginning with Clovis I in 481 and ending with Childeric III in 752. The power began to shift upon the death of Clovis I when the throne was split amongst his heirs for rule of different fiefdoms. Gradually, the daily affairs of these regions fell under the control of the mayors of the palace, and eventually the mayors took control and thus began the Carolingians.
Much of the story of the Merovingians is shrouded in conspiratorial mysticism. Read Holy Blood, Holy Grail for more on this.
While at first, sacking the remnants of the Roman Empire under Clovis I was a good thing for the Salian peoples, eventually the lack of infrastructure management and cultural unity left the Church the only driving force holding northern Gaul together. The Saracen armies then invaded, attacking even the Church. Particularly after Dagobert I, Gaul was left a desolate anarchy with only a few feudal lords keeping order in their own territories. In other words, the Merovingians were a major cause of the Dark Ages in Western Europe.
The Merovingian Kings
Merovech
K. of Salian Franks
447-458
|
V
Childeric I
K. of Salian Franks
458-481
|
V
Clovis I
K. all Franks
481-511
|
|
+--------------+---------------------------+
| | | |
V V V V
Theodoric I Chlodomer Childebert Lothair I
K. Metz K. Orleans K. Paris K. Soissons
511-534 511-524 511-558 511
| K. all Franks
| 558-561
V |
Theudebert I |
K. Metz |
534-548 |
| |
V |
Theudebald |
K. Metz |
548-555 |
|
+------------------------------------------+
| | | |
V V V V
Sigibert I Charibert I Guntram Chilperic I
K. Austrasia K. Paris K. Burgandy K. Soissons
561-575 561-567 561-592 561-584
| |
V V
Chilibert I Lothair II
K. Austrasia K. Neustria
575-595 584
K. Burgandy K. all Franks
595-596 613-629
| |
V +--------------+
+--------------+ | |
V V V V
Theodoric II Theudebert II Dagobert I Charibert II
K. Burgandy K. Austrasia K. Austrasia K. Aquitaine
595-612 595-612 623-628 629-632
K. Austrasia K. all Franks
612-613 629-639
| +---------------+
Sigibert II V V
K. Austrasia Clovis II Sigibert III
K. Burgandy K. Nuestra K. Austrasia
613 K. Burgandy 632-656
639-657 |
| V
+----------------+---------------+------+ Dagobert II
| | | K. Austrasia
V V V 674-678
Lothair III Childeric II Theodoric III |
K. Nuestria K. Austrasia K. Nuestria V
657-673 662-675 673-698 Lothair IV
K. all Franks K. all Franks K. all Franks K. Austrasia
656-660 673-675 678-691 717-719
| |
V +----------------+
Chilperic II V V
K. Nuestria Clovis III Childebert III
715-721 K. all Franks K. all Franks
K. all Franks 691-695 695-711
719-720 |
| V
V Dagobert III
Chilperic III K. all Franks
K. all Franks 711-716
743-752 |
V
Theodoric IV
K. all Franks
721-737
The Merovingian is also a character in the movie, The Matrix Reloaded.
*------SPOILER-------*
The Merovingian (Lambert Wilson) is a corrupt power broker of sorts living in the Matrix, who prefers French language and culture. In the movie, he holds the Keymaker prisoner, a program that Neo must rescue if he is to save Zion. The Merovingian's wife, Persephone, aids them in this quest only after Neo kisses her with convincing passion. Upon the Keymaker's attempted rescue, there's a mindblowing fight scene, car chases and explosions.
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