Merovingian Dynasty

The Merovingian Dynasty was a line of Frank rulers dating from 428 to 751 A.D. The line was named for the 5th century king Merovech. His grandson Clovis first united much of the territory of what is now called France. The kingdom was later divided, but enlarged and reunited under king Clotaire II in 613.

The Merovingians governed under the remnants of the old Roman administration (the early rulers overlapped the declining years of the Roman Empire) and established Catholic Christianity.[1]

After Dagobert I in the 7th century, the kings became known as the 'do nothings' and powers passed to the mayors of the palace, the most famous of which was Charles Martel who defeated the Islamic invaders at the Battle of Tours in 732.

The last king of the Merovingian Dynasty was deposed and replaced with Pepin the Short, the son of Charles Martel and father of Charlemagne in 751.

## References[edit]

1. ↑ The New American Desk Encyclopedia, Penguin Group, 1989