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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Infobox monarchy

| royal_title = King
[[File:Grégoire de Tours Historia Francorum Fol. 79v initiale ornée A.jpg|thumb|195px|A page from [[Gregory of Tours]], ''Historia Francorum'']]
| realm = of the Franks
| native_name = Roi des Francs<br/>Fränkischen Herrscher
| border =
| coatofarms = French Coronation Crown of Charlemagne.png
| coatofarmscaption = Coronation Crown of Charlemagne
| type = non-commonwealth
| his/her = Majesty
| first_monarch = [[Clovis I]]
| last_monarch = [[Louis the Pious]]
| formation = 509
| abolition = [[Treaty of Verdun|August 843]]
| residence = [[Palace of Aachen]] (768–840)
| appointer = [[Hereditary monarchy|Hereditary]]
}}
The '''[[Franks]]''' were originally led by [[Dux|dukes]] (military leaders) and [[Monarch|reguli]] (petty kings). The [[Salian Franks|Salian]] [[Merovingian dynasty|Merovingians]] rose to dominance among the Franks and conquered most of [[Roman Gaul]]. They also conquered the Gaulish territory of the [[Visigothic Kingdom]] in 507. The sons of Clovis conquered the [[Kingdom of Burgundy|Burgundians]] and [[Alamanni]]. They acquired [[Provence]] and made the [[Bavarii]] and [[Thuringii]] their clients. The Merovingians were later replaced by a new dynasty called the [[Carolingian]]s in the 8th century. By the end of the 9th century, the Carolingians themselves were replaced throughout much of their realm by other dynasties. The idea of a "King of the Franks" or ''Rex Francorum'' gradually disappeared over the 12th and 13th centuries.
The '''[[Franks]]''' were originally led by [[Dux|dukes]] (military leaders) and [[Monarch|reguli]] (petty kings). The [[Salian Franks|Salian]] [[Merovingian dynasty|Merovingians]] rose to dominance among the Franks and conquered most of [[Roman Gaul]]. They also conquered the Gaulish territory of the [[Visigothic Kingdom]] in 507. The sons of Clovis conquered the [[Kingdom of Burgundy|Burgundians]] and [[Alamanni]]. They acquired [[Provence]] and made the [[Bavarii]] and [[Thuringii]] their clients. The Merovingians were later replaced by a new dynasty called the [[Carolingian]]s in the 8th century. By the end of the 9th century, the Carolingians themselves were replaced throughout much of their realm by other dynasties. The idea of a "King of the Franks" or ''Rex Francorum'' gradually disappeared over the 12th and 13th centuries.


A timeline of Frankish rulers is difficult since the realm was, according to old Germanic practice, frequently divided among the sons of a leader upon his death and then eventually reunited.
A timeline of Frankish rulers is difficult since the realm was, according to old Germanic practice, frequently divided among the sons of a leader upon his death and then eventually reunited.


== Dukes and reguli ==
==Kings of All Franks (448–511)==
===Merovingian dynasty===
=== Early rulers and Ripuarians ===
{{main|Merovingian dynasty}}
{{see also|Ripuarian Franks}}
Clovis I united all the Frankish petty kingdoms as well as most of [[Roman Gaul]] under his rule, conquering the [[Domain of Soissons]] of the Roman general [[Syagrius]] as well as the [[Visigoths#Kingdom of Toulouse|Visigothic Kingdom of Toulouse]]. He took his seat at Paris, which along with [[Soissons]], [[Reims]], [[Metz]], and [[Orléans]] became the chief residences. Upon his death, the kingdom was split among his four sons.<ref name="DeansMartin" />
This list of early rulers is incomplete, as our sources leave open many gaps.
{| class=wikitable
! Ruler !! Description
|-
|'''[[Ascaric]]''' ||
|-
|'''[[Merogais]]''' ||
|-
|'''[[Mallobaudes]]''' ||
|-
|'''[[Genobaud]]''' ||
|-
|'''[[Sunno]]''' ||
|-
|'''[[Marcomer]]''' ||
|-
|'''[[Pharamond]]''' || son of Marcomer, semi-legendary king. ''(Pharamond reigned with Chlodio 420–448)<ref name="DeansMartin">{{cite book |title=A History Of France: From The Earliest Times To The Present Day |volume=1 |author=William Deans |author2=Frederick Martin |year=1882 |location=Edinburgh & London |publisher=A. Fullarton & Co. |at=pp. 420-1792, Table Of Sovereigns Of France, vi-ix}}</ref>''
|-
|'''[[Chlodio]]''' || ''(Chlodio reigned with Pharamond 420–448)<ref name="DeansMartin" />''
|-
|'''[[Theudemeres]]''' || son of [[Richomeres]], King circa 422
|-
|'''[[Aegidius]]''' ||
|-
|'''[[Sigobert the Lame]]''' || King 483–507, killed by his son Chloderic the Parricide
|-
|'''[[Chlodoric the Parricide]]''' || son of Sigebert, King 507, dethroned by Clovis
|}


{| style="text-align:center; width:100%" class="wikitable"
=== Rulers of the Salians ===
! width=15% | Name<br/>Reign
{{see also|Salian Franks}}
! width="105" | Portrait
{| class=wikitable
! width=20% | Birth
! Ruler !! Description
! width=20% | [[List of Frankish queens|Marriage(s)]]<br/>Issue
! width=19% | Death
! Claim
|-
|-
| '''[[Merovech]]'''<br/>448<br/>–<br/>457
|'''[[Clodio]]''' || son of Theudemeres, King at [[Dispargum]] and later [[Tournai]] (426–447)
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Mérovée.jpg|100px]]
| c. 415<br/>[[Tournai]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Chlodio]]<br/>and Basina
| Verich<br/>2 children
| c. 457<br/>Aged 41/42
| Chief of the [[Salian Franks]]<br/>[[right of conquest]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Childeric I]]'''<br/>457<br/>–<br/>482
|'''[[Merovech]]''' || possible son of Chlodio, King at Tournai (447–458) ''(Merovee or Merovaeus reigned 448–458)<ref name="DeansMartin" />
| [[File:Portrait Childéric roy de France.jpg|100px]]
| c. 440<br/><br/>Son of [[Merovech]]<br/>and Verich
| [[Basina of Thuringia]]<br/>464<br/>4 children
| c. 482<br/>Aged 41/42<br/>[[Tournai]]
| Son of [[Merovech]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Clovis I]]'''<br/>509<br/>–<br/>27 November 511
|'''[[Childeric I]]''' || son of Merovech, King at Tournai (458–481)<ref name="DeansMartin" />
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Clovis.jpg|100px]]
|-
| c. 466<br/>[[Tournai]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Childeric I<br/>and [[Basina of Thuringia]]
|'''[[Clovis I]]''' || son of Childeric I, King at Tournai (481–511), later united most of the Franks and Roman Gaul.<ref name="DeansMartin" />
| (1) Unknown concubine<br/><br/>1 son<br>
(2) [[Clotilde]]<br/>493<br/>4 children
| 27 November 511<br/>Aged 44/45<br/>[[Paris]]
| Son of [[Childeric I]]
|}
|}


==Kings of the Neustrian Franks (511–679)==
All of the following may have been related to Clovis in some degree and eventually removed by before 509:
===Merovingian dynasty===
{| class=wikitable
! Ruler !! Description
|-
|'''[[Chararic (Frankish king)|Chararic]]''' ||
|-
|'''[[Ragnachar]]''' || probably king at [[Cambrai]] from before 486, killed by Clovis
|-
|'''[[Ricchar]]''' || brother of Ragnachar, killed by Clovis at Cambrai
|-
|'''[[Rignomer]]''' || brother of Ragnachar, killed by Clovis at [[Le Mans|Mans]]
|}


{| style="text-align:center; width:100%" class="wikitable"
== Merovingian kings of the Franks ==
! width=15% | Name<br/>Reign
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; min-width:90%"
! width="105" | Portrait
! width=20% | Birth
! width=20% | [[List of Frankish queens|Marriage(s)]]<br/>Issue
! width=19% | Death
! Claim
|-
|-
| '''[[Childebert I]]'''<ref name="DeansMartin">{{cite book |title=A History Of France: From The Earliest Times To The Present Day |volume=1 |author=William Deans |author2=Frederick Martin |year=1882 |location=Edinburgh & London |publisher=A. Fullarton & Co. |at=pp. 420-1792, Table Of Sovereigns Of France, vi-ix}}</ref><br/>27 November 511<br/>–<br/>13 December 558
! colspan=6| All the Franks
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Childebert Ier.jpg|100px]]
| c. 496<br/>[[Reims]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Clovis I]]<br/>and [[Clotilde]]
| Ultragotha<br/>510s<br/>2 daughters
| 13 December 558<br/>Aged 61/62<br/>[[Paris]]
| Son of [[Clovis I]]<br/>Inherited fiefdoms of [[Paris]] and [[Neustria]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Chlothar I]]'''<ref name="DeansMartin"/><br><small>'''The Old'''</small><br/>13 December 558<br/>–<br/>29 November 561
! width=8% | Image
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Clotaire Ier.jpg|100px]]
! width=15% | Name
| c. 497<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Clovis I]]<br/>and [[Clotilde]]
! width=8% | Date of Birth
| (1) [[Guntheuc]]<br/>524<br/>Childless<br>
! width=8% | Date of Death
(2) [[Radegund]]<br/>538<br/>2 sons<br>
! width=8% | Reign
(3) [[Ingund]]<br/>pre-580<br/>4 children<br>
! width=8% | Relationship with predecessor
(4) [[Aregund]]<br/>pre-580<br/>1 son<br>
(5) [[Chunsina]]<br/>580<br/>1 son
| 29 November 561<br/>Aged 63/64<br/>[[Compiègne]]
| Son of [[Clovis I]]<br/>Natural brother of Childebert I
|-
|-
| '''[[Charibert I]]'''<ref name="DeansMartin"/><br/>29 November 561<br/>–<br/>December 567
| [[File:Clovis 1er.jpg|100px|center]]
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Caribert.jpg|100px]]
| [[Clovis I]]
| c. 517<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Clovis I]]<br/>and [[Ingund]]
| c. 466
| [[Ingoberga]]<br/>537<br/>4 children
| 27 November 511
| December 567<br/>Aged 49/50<br/>[[Paris]]
| 509–511 ''(481–511)<ref name="DeansMartin" />
| Son of [[Clovis I]]<br/>Half-brother of Chlothar I and Clovis I
| N/A
|-
|-
| '''[[Chilperic I]]'''<ref name="DeansMartin" /><br/>December 567<br/>–<br/>September 584
|}
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Chilpéric roy de France.jpg|100px]]
Clovis I united all the Frankish petty kingdoms as well as most of [[Roman Gaul]] under his rule, conquering the [[Domain of Soissons]] of the Roman general [[Syagrius]] as well as the [[Visigoths#Kingdom of Toulouse|Visigothic Kingdom of Toulouse]]. He took his seat at Paris, which along with [[Soissons]], [[Reims]], [[Metz]], and [[Orléans]] became the chief residences. Upon his death, the kingdom was split among his four sons:
| c. 539<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Chlothar I]]<br/>and [[Aregund]]

| (1) [[Audovera]]<br/>540s<br/>5 children<br>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; min-width:90%"
(2) [[Galswintha]]<br/>567<br/>Childless<br>
(3) [[Fredegund]]<br/>568<br/>7 children
| September 584<br/>Aged 44/45<br/>[[Chelles, Seine-et-Marne|Chelles]]
| Son of [[Chlotar I]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Chlotar II]]'''<ref name="DeansMartin" /><br><small>'''The Young'''</small><br/>September 584<br/>–<br/>18 October 629
!colspan=2| Soissons
| [[File:Portrait Clotaire II roy de France.jpg|100px]]
!colspan=2| Paris
| c. 584<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Chilperic I]]<br/>and [[Fredegund]]
!colspan=2| Orléans
| (1) Haldetrude<br/><br/><br/>1 son<br>
!colspan=2| Reims
(2) [[Bertrude]]<br/>613<br/>Childless<br>
(3) [[Sichilde]]<br/>618<br/>1 son
| 18 October 629<br/>Aged 44/45
| Son of [[Chilperic I]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Dagobert I]]'''<br/>18 October 629<br/>–<br/>19 January 639
!Picture
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Dagobert Ier.jpg|100px]]
!Name
| 603<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Chlotar II]]<br/>and Haldetrude
!Picture
| (1) Gormatrude<br/><br/><br/>Childless<br>
!Name
(2) [[Nanthild]]<br/>pre-629<br/>1 son<br>
!Picture
(3) Wulfegundis<br/><br/><br/>Childless<br>
!Name
(4) Berchildis<br/><br/>Childless
!Picture
| 19 January 639<br/>Aged 35/36<br/>[[Épinay-sur-Seine]]
!Name
| Son of [[Chilperic I]]<br/>Inherited all fiefdoms of Neustria
|-
|-
| '''[[Clovis II]]'''<br/>19 January 639<br/>–<br/>27 November 657
|rowspan=5| [[File:Denar koenig chlotar i.png|80px]]
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Clovis II.jpg|100px]]
|rowspan=5| [[Chlothar I]]<br />511–561 ''(Clotaire r. 511–558) (Neustria)''<ref name="DeansMartin" />
| 634<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Dagobert I]]<br/>and [[Nanthild]]
|rowspan=4| [[File:Tiers de sou d'or de Childebert Ier.png|80px]]
| [[Balthild]]<br/>640s<br/>3 sons
|rowspan=4| [[Childebert I]]<br />511–558 ''(Neustria)''<ref name="DeansMartin" />
| 27 November 657<br/>Aged 22/23
| [[File:Clodomir supervise l'execution de Sigismond.jpg|80px]]
| Son of [[Dagobert I]]
| [[Chlodomer]]<br />511–524 ''(Neustria)''<ref name="DeansMartin" />
|rowspan=2| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Thierri Ier.jpg|80px]]
|rowspan=2| [[Theuderic I]] ''(Thierry I r. 511–534) (Austrasia)''<ref name="DeansMartin" /><br />511–534<br /><ref>Contested by '''[[Munderic]]''', 533, rival king in the Auvergne</ref>
|-
|-
| '''[[Chlothar III]]'''<br/>27 November 657<br/>–<br/>Spring 673
|rowspan=4 colspan=2| {{small|Passed to Paris then to Soissons}}
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Clotaire III.jpg|100px]]
| 649<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Dagobert I]]<br/>and [[Balthild]]
| Unmarried
| Spring 673<br/>Aged 23/24
| First son of [[Clovis II]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Childeric II]]'''<br/>Spring 673<br/>–<br/>Autumn 675
| [[File:Theodebert I 534 548 king of Metz.jpg|80px]]
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Childéric II.jpg|100px]]
| [[Theudebert I]]<br />534–548 ''(Austrasia)''<ref name="DeansMartin" />
| 654<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Dagobert I]]<br/>and [[Balthild]]
| [[Bilichild]]<br/>688<br/>2 sons
| Winter 691<br/>Aged 21/22
| Second son of [[Clovis II]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Theuderic III]]'''<br/>Autumn 675<br/>–<br/>23 December 679
|
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Thierri Ier.jpg|100px]]
| [[Theudebald]]<br />548–555 ''(Austrasia)''<ref name="DeansMartin" />
| 654<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Dagobert I]]<br/>and [[Balthild]]
|-
| (1) Clotilda<br/>pre-675<br/>2 sons<br>
|colspan=2| {{small|Passed to Soissons in 558}}
(2) [[Amalberga of Maubeuge]]<br/>674<br/>1 daughter
|colspan=2| {{small|Passed to Soissons in 555}}
(3) Several concubines<br/>At least 3 children
|-
| 12 April 691<br/>Aged 36/37
|}
| Third son of [[Clovis II]]

Chlothar I eventually ''(558-561)<ref name="DeansMartin" /> inherited all of the Frankish kingdoms after the deaths of his brothers or their successors. After his own death, the kingdom was once again split among his four sons:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; min-width:90%"
|-
!colspan=2| Soissons <br />(eventually Neustria)
!colspan=2| Paris
!colspan=2| Orléans<br /> (eventually Burgundy)
!colspan=2| Reims and Metz<br /> (eventually Austrasia)
|-
!Picture
!Name
!Picture
!Name
!Picture
!Name
!Picture
!Name
|-
|rowspan=3| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Chilpéric roy de France.jpg|80px]]
|rowspan=3| [[Chilperic I]]<br />561–584 ''(Neustria)<ref name="DeansMartin" />
|rowspan=1| [[File:Jean-Joseph Dassy (1796-1865) - Caribert, roi franc de Paris et de l'ouest de Gaule (mort en 567).jpg|50px]]
|rowspan=1| [[Charibert I]]<br />561–567 ''(Caribert r. 561–593) (Neustria)<ref name="DeansMartin" />
|rowspan=4| [[File:Statue de saint Gontran.jpg|50px]]
|rowspan=4| [[Guntram]]<br />561–592 ''(Gontran r. 561–570) (Neustria)<ref name="DeansMartin" /><br /><ref>Contested by '''[[Gundoald]]''', 584 – 585, rival king in Aquitaine</ref>
|rowspan=2| [[File:Sigebert 1.jpg|80px]]
|rowspan=2| [[Sigebert I]]<br />561–575 ''(Austrasia)<ref name="DeansMartin" />
|-
|rowspan=9 colspan=2| {{small|Partitioned in 567, eventually<br /> falling in the hands of Soissons}}
|-
|rowspan=3| [[File:Childebert II.png|80px]]
|rowspan=3| [[Childebert II]]<br />575–595
|-
|rowspan=7| [[File:Clothaire II 584 628.jpg|80px]]
|rowspan=7| [[Chlothar II]]<br />584–629 ''(Clotaire II, son of Chilperic, r. 584-628)<ref name="DeansMartin" />
|-
|colspan=2| {{small|Passed to Reims and Metz in 592}}
|- style="height: 80px;"
|rowspan=2| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Thierri II (i.e. IV).jpg|80px]]
|rowspan=2| [[Theuderic II]]<br />595–613
| -
| [[Theudebert II]]<br />595–612
|-
|rowspan=3 colspan=2| {{small|Passed to Orléans in 612<br />then to Soissons}}
|-
| -
| [[Sigebert II]]<br />613
|- style="height: 40px;"
|rowspan=2 colspan=2| {{small|Passed to Soissons in 613}}
|-
| [[File:Dagobert I effigy.jpg|80px]]
| [[Dagobert I]]<br />623–629 ''(r. 628–638)<ref name="DeansMartin" />
|}
|}


==Kings of the Austrasian Franks (511–679)==
===Merovingian dynasty===
;Notes:
Chlothar II defeated [[Brunhilda of Austrasia|Brunhilda]] and her grandson, reunifying the kingdom. However, in 623, in order to appease particularistic forces and also to secure the borders, he gave the Austrasians his young son as their own king. His son and successor, [[Dagobert I]], emulated this move by appointing a sub-king for Aquitaine, with a seat at [[Toulouse]], in 629 and Austrasia in 634.
Chlothar II defeated [[Brunhilda of Austrasia|Brunhilda]] and her grandson, reunifying the kingdom. However, in 623, in order to appease particularistic forces and also to secure the borders, he gave the Austrasians his young son as their own king. His son and successor, [[Dagobert I]], emulated this move by appointing a sub-king for Aquitaine, with a seat at [[Toulouse]], in 629 and Austrasia in 634.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; min-width:90%"
{| style="text-align:center; width:100%" class="wikitable"
! width=15% | Name<br/>Reign
! width="105" | Portrait
! width=20% | Birth
! width=20% | [[List of Frankish queens|Marriage(s)]]<br/>Issue
! width=19% | Death
! Claim
|-
|-
| '''[[Theuderic I]]'''<ref name="DeansMartin" /><ref>Contested by [[Munderic]], 533, rival king in the Auvergne</ref><br/>27 November 511<br/>–<br/>Early 534
!width=74% colspan=2| Neustria, Austrasia & Burgundy
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Thierri Ier.jpg|100px]]
!colspan=2| Aquitaine
| c. 487<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Clovis I]]<br/>and [[Clotilde]]
| (1) Suavegotha<br/>510s<br/>Childless<br>
(2) Several concubines<br/>At least 2 sons
| Early 534<br/>Aged 46/47
| Son of [[Clovis I]]<br/>Inherited fiefdoms of [[Reims]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Theudebert I]]'''<ref name="DeansMartin" /><br/>Early 534<br/>–<br/>c. 548
!Picture
| [[File:Münze Gold Solidus Theudebert I um 534 (obverse).jpg|100px]]
!Name
| c. 503<br/>[[Metz]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Theuderic I]]<br/>and a concubine (prob.)
!Picture
| (1) [[Deuteria]]<br/>534<br/>1 son<br>
!Name
(2) [[Wisigard]]<br/>540<br/>Childless<br>
(3) Unknown wife<br/>540s<br/>1 son
| c. 548<br/>Aged 44/45
| Son of [[Theuderic I]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Theudebald]]'''<ref name="DeansMartin" /><br/>c. 548<br/>–<br/>c. 555
|width=24% rowspan=3| [[File:Dagobert I effigy.jpg|110px]]
|
|rowspan=3| [[Dagobert I]]<br />629–634
| c. 535<br/>Son of [[Theudebert I]]<br/>and [[Deuteria]]
| [[File:Caribert II tiers de sou d'or (trémissis)-2.jpg|80px]]
| [[Charibert II]]<br />629–632
| [[Waldrada]]<br/>540s<br/>Childless
| c. 555<br/>Aged 19/20
| Son of [[Theudebert I]]
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | '''[[Childebert I]]'''<ref name="DeansMartin"/><br/>c. 555<br/>–<br/>13 December 558
|
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | [[File:Portrait Roi de france Childebert Ier.jpg|100px]]
| [[Chilperic of Aquitaine|Chilperic]]<br />632
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | c. 496<br/>[[Reims]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Clovis I]]<br/>and [[Clotilde]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | Ultragotha<br/>510s<br/>2 daughters
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | 13 December 558<br/>Aged 61/62<br/>[[Paris]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | Son of [[Clovis I]]<br/>Inherited fiefdoms of [[Paris]] and [[Neustria]]
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | '''[[Chlothar I]]'''<ref name="DeansMartin"/><br><small>'''The Old'''</small><br/>13 December 558<br/>–<br/>29 November 561
|colspan=2| {{small|autonomy until c. 767.}}
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | [[File:Portrait Roi de france Clotaire Ier.jpg|100px]]
|}
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | c. 497<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Clovis I]]<br/>and [[Clotilde]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; min-width:90%"
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | (1) [[Guntheuc]]<br/>524<br/>Childless<br>
(2) [[Radegund]]<br/>538<br/>2 sons<br>
(3) [[Ingund]]<br/>pre-580<br/>4 children<br>
(4) [[Aregund]]<br/>pre-580<br/>1 son<br>
(5) [[Chunsina]]<br/>580<br/>1 son
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | 29 November 561<br/>Aged 63/64<br/>[[Compiègne]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | Son of [[Clovis I]]<br/>Natural brother of Childebert I
|-
|-
| '''[[Sigebert I]]'''<ref name="DeansMartin" /><br/>29 November 561<br/>–<br/>c. 575
!width=60% colspan=2| Neustria and Burgundy
| [[File:Sigebert 1.jpg|100px]]
!colspan=2| Austrasia
| c. 535<br/>Son of [[Chlothar I]]<br/>and [[Ingund]]
| [[Brunhilda of Austrasia]]<br/>567<br/>3 children
| c. 575<br/>Aged 39/40<br/>[[Vitry-en-Artois]]
| Son of [[Chlothar I]]<br/>Inherited fiefdoms of [[Metz]] and [[Reims]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Childebert II]]'''<br/>c. 575<br/>–<br/>March 595
!Picture
| [[File:Childebert II.png|100px]]
!Name
| c. 535<br/>Son of [[Sigebert I]]<br/>and [[Brunhilda of Austrasia]]
!Picture
| Faileuba<br/><br/>4 children
!Name
| March 595<br/>Aged 24/25
| Son of [[Sigebert I]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Theudebert II]]'''<br/>March 595<br/>–<br/>612
|width=20%| [[File:Dagobert I effigy.jpg|80px]]
| [[File:Tiers de sou de Théodebert II frappé à Clermont.png|100px]]
| [[Dagobert I]]<br />634–639
| 586<br/>Son of [[Childebert II]]<br/>and Faileuba
|rowspan=2| [[File:Legenda aurea - baptême de Sigebert III.jpg|80px]]
| (1) Bilichilde<br/>608<br/>2 children
|rowspan=2| [[Sigebert III]]<br />634–656/660
(2) Teodechilde<br/>610<br/>1 son
| 612<br/>Aged 25/26
| First son of [[Childebert II]]
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | '''[[Theuderic II]]'''<br/>612<br/>–<br/>613
| [[File:Tiers de sous d'or de Clovis II.jpg|160px]]
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Thierri II (i.e. IV).jpg|100px]]
| [[Clovis II]]<br />639–655
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | 587<br/>[[Soissons]]<br/>Son of [[Childebert II]]<br/>and Faileuba
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | Several paramours<br/>4 sons
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | 613<br/>Aged 25/26<br/>[[Metz]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | Second son of [[Childebert II]]
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | '''[[Sigebert II]]'''<br/>613<br/>–<br/>Late 613
|rowspan=3| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Clotaire III.jpg|80px]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | [[File:Sceau de Sigebert II.jpg|100px]]
|rowspan=3| [[Chlothar III]]<br />655–673
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | 601<br/><br/>Son of [[Theuderic II]]<br/>and Ermenberge
| -
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | Unmarried
| [[Childebert the Adopted]]<br />656–661
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | 613<br/>Aged 11/12
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | Illegitimate son on of [[Theuderic II]]
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | '''[[Chlotar II]]'''<ref name="DeansMartin" /><br><small>'''The Young'''</small><br/>September 584<br/>–<br/>623
|colspan=2| {{small|Inherited by Chlothar III, but given to Childeric II in 662.}}
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | [[File:Portrait Clotaire II roy de France.jpg|100px]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | c. 584<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Chilperic I]]<br/>and [[Fredegund]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | (1) Haldetrude<br/><br/><br/>1 son<br>
(2) [[Bertrude]]<br/>613<br/>Childless<br>
(3) [[Sichilde]]<br/>618<br/>1 son
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | 18 October 629<br/>Aged 44/45
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | Son of [[Chilperic I]]
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | '''[[Dagobert I]]'''<br/>623<br/>–<br/>634
|rowspan=4| [[File:Childeric2.jpg|80px]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | [[File:Portrait Roi de france Dagobert Ier.jpg|100px]]
|rowspan=4| [[Childeric II]]<br />662–675<br />{{small|Unified rule from 673–675}}
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | 603<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Chlotar II]]<br/>and Haldetrude
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | (1) Gormatrude<br/><br/><br/>Childless<br>
(2) [[Nanthild]]<br/>pre-629<br/>1 son<br>
(3) Wulfegundis<br/><br/><br/>Childless<br>
(4) Berchildis<br/><br/>Childless
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | 19 January 639<br/>Aged 35/36<br/>[[Épinay-sur-Seine]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | Son of [[Chilperic I]]<br/>Fiefdoms of Austrasia granted by local nobility
|-
|-
| '''[[Sigebert III]]'''<br/>634<br/>–<br/>1 February 656
| [[File:Theuderic III.jpg|80px]]
| [[File:Clichy Saint-Vincent-de-Paul339.JPG|100px]]
| [[Theuderic III]]<br />673
| 630<br/>Son of [[Dagobert I]]<br/>and Ragnertrude (concubine)
| Chimnechild of Burgundy<br/>651<br/>2 children
| 1 February 656<br/>Aged 25/26
| Son of [[Dagobert I]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Childebert the Adopted|Childebert III]]'''<br><small>'''The Adopted'''</small><br/>1 February 656<br/>–<br/>661
| [[File:Childeric2.jpg|80px]]
| [[File:Tremissis de 7 siliques amis par Childebert l'Adopté.jpg|100px]]
| [[Childeric II]]<br />673–675<br />{{small|Displaced Theuderic III until his death in 675}}
| 640s<br/>Son of [[Grimoald the Elder|Grimoald]]<br/>and [[Itta of Metz]]
| Unmarried
| 661<br/>Aged 20s
| Adoptive son of [[Sigebert III]]<br/>Chose as heir by his predecessor
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | '''[[Chlothar III]]'''<br/>661<br/>–<br/>Spring 673
|rowspan=4| [[File:Theuderic III.jpg|80px]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | [[File:Portrait Roi de france Clotaire III.jpg|100px]]
|rowspan=4| [[Theuderic III]]<br />675–691<br />{{small|Unified rule after 679}}
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | 649<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Dagobert I]]<br/>and [[Balthild]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | Unmarried
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | Spring 673<br/>Aged 23/24
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | First son of [[Clovis II]]
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | '''[[Childeric II]]'''<br/>Spring 673<br/>–<br/>Autumn 675
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Clovis III (sic).jpg|80px]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | [[File:Portrait Roi de france Childéric II.jpg|100px]]
| [[Clovis III]]<br />675–676
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | 654<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Dagobert I]]<br/>and [[Balthild]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | [[Bilichild]]<br/>688<br/>2 sons
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | Winter 691<br/>Aged 21/22
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" | Second son of [[Clovis II]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Clovis III]]'''<br/>Autumn 675<br/>–<br/>c. 676
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Dagobert II (i.e III).jpg|80px]]
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Clovis III (sic).jpg|100px]]
| [[Dagobert II]]<br />676–679
| c. 670<br/><br/>Son of [[Chlothar III]]<br/>and unknown paramour
|-
| Unmarried
|colspan=2| {{small|Passed to Neustria and Burgundy}}
| c. 676<br/>Aged 5/6
| Illegitimate son of [[Chlothar III]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Dagobert II]]'''<br/>c. 676<br/>–<br/>23 December 679
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Dagobert II (i.e III).jpg|100px]]
| c. 650<br/><br/>Son of [[Sigebert III]]<br/>and Chimnechild of Burgundy
| Unknown woman<br/>[[Chlothar IV|1 son]] (uncertain)
| 23 December 679<br/>Aged 28/29<br/>[[Stenay]]
| Natural son of [[Sigebert III]]
|}
|}


==Kings of the Franks (679–)==
Theuderic III was recognized as king of all the Franks in 679. From then on, the kingdom of the Franks can be treated as a unity again for all but a very brief period of civil war. This is the period of the [[Roi fainéant|"idle kings"]] who were increasingly overshadowed by their [[mayors of the palace]].
===Merovingian dynasty===
Theuderic III was recognized as king of all the Franks in 679. From then on, the kingdom of the Franks can be treated as a unity again for all but a very brief period of civil war. This is the period of the "idle kings" who were increasingly overshadowed by their [[mayors of the palace]].


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; min-width:90%"
{| style="text-align:center; width:100%" class="wikitable"
! width=8% | Image
! width=15% | Name<br/>Reign
! width=15% | Name
! width="105" | Portrait
! width=8% | Date of Birth
! width=20% | Birth
! width=8% | Date of Death
! width=20% | [[List of Frankish queens|Marriage(s)]]<br/>Issue
! width=8% | Reign
! width=19% | Death
! Claim
! width=8% | Relationship with predecessor
|-
|-
| [[File:Theuderic III.jpg|100px|center]]
| '''[[Theuderic III]]'''<br/>23 December 679<br/>–<br/>12 April 691
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Thierri Ier.jpg|100px]]
| [[Theuderic III]]
| 654<br/>[[Paris]]<br/><br/>Son of [[Dagobert I]]<br/>and [[Balthild]]
| c. 654
| (1) Clotilda<br/>pre-675<br/>2 sons<br>
| 12 April 691
(2) [[Amalberga of Maubeuge]]<br/>674<br/>1 daughter
| 679–691
(3) Several concubines<br/>At least 3 children
| N/A
| 12 April 691<br/>Aged 36/37
| Third son of [[Clovis II]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Clovis IV]]'''<br/>12 April 691<br/>–<br/>695
| [[File:Georges Rouget (1783-1869) - Clovis III roi d'Austrasie en 691 (682-695).jpg|100px|center]]
| [[Clovis IV]]
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Clovis III (sic).jpg|100px]]
| c. 680<br/><br/><br/>Son of [[Theuderic III]]<br/>and Clotilda
| c. 678
| Unmarried
| c. 695
| 695<br/>Aged 14/15
| 691–695
| son of
| First son of [[Theuderic III]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Childebert III]]'''<br><small>'''The Just'''</small><br/>695<br/>–<br/>23 April 711
| [[File:Childebert III 694 711.jpg|100px|center]]
| [[Childebert III]]
| [[File:Childebert II.jpg|100px]]
| c. 683<br/><br/><br/>Son of [[Theuderic III]]<br/>and Clotilda
| c. 670/683
| (1) Ermenchild<br/>1 son<br>
| 23 April 711
(2) Unknown paramour<br/>1 son
| 695–711
| 23 April 711<br/>Aged 27/28
| brother of
| Second son of [[Theuderic III]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Dagobert III]]'''<br><small>'''The Just'''</small><br/>23 April 711<br/>–<br/>31 December 715
|
| [[Dagobert III]]
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Dagobert II (i.e III).jpg|100px]]
| c. 699<br/><br/><br/>Son of [[Childebert III]]<br/>and Ermenchild
| c. 699
| (1) Unknown wife<br/>1 son<br>
| 31 December 715
(2) Unknown paramour<br/>1 son
| 711–715
| 31 December 715<br/>Aged 15/16
| son of
| Second son of [[Theuderic III]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Chilperic II]]'''<br/>31 December 715<br/>–<br/>13 February 721
| [[File:Portrait Roy de france Chilperic II.jpg|100px|center]]
| [[Chilperic II]]
| [[File:Portrait Roy de france Chilperic II.jpg|100px]]
| c. 672<br/><br/><br/>Son of [[Childeric II]]<br/>and [[Bilichild]]
| c. 672
| Unknown concubine<br/>1 son
| 13 February 721
| 13 February 721<br/>Aged 48/49<br/>[[Attigny, Ardennes]]
| 715–720
| Second son of [[Childeric II]]<br/>First cousin of Dagobert III
| first cousin once removed of
|-
|-
| '''[[Theuderic IV]]'''<br/>13 February 721<br/>–<br/>16 March/30 April 737
|
| [[File:Portrait Roi de france Thierri II (i.e. IV).jpg|100px]]
| [[Chlothar IV]]
| c. 712<br/><br/><br/>Son of [[Dagobert III]]<br/>and unknown woman
| ?
| Unknown concubine<br/>1 son
| c. 719
| 16 March/30 April 737<br/>Aged 24/25
| 717–718<br />{{small|rival puppet king in Austrasia}}
| Son of [[Dagobert III]]
| relative of
|-
|-
| colspan=6 | [[Interregnum]] (737–743); '''[[Charles Martel]]''' reigned as [[Regent]]
| [[File:Theuderic IV.jpg|100px|center]]
| [[Theuderic IV]]
| c. 712
| 16 March/30 April 737
| 720–737
| son of Dagobert III
|-
|colspan=6| ''[[interregnum]]'' 737–743
|-
| [[File:Jean Dassier (1676-1763) - Childéric III roy de France (754).jpg|100px|center]]
| [[Childeric III]]
| c. 717
| c. 754
| 743–752
| relative of
|-
|-
| '''[[Theuderic IV]]'''<br><small>'''The Phantom King'''</small><br/>743<br/>–<br/>November 751
| [[File:Jean Dassier (1676-1763) - Childéric III roy de France (754).jpg|100px]]
| c. 717<br/><br/><br/>Son of [[Chilperic II]]<br/>and unknown paramour
| Unknown paramour<br/>1 son
| 754<br/>Aged 36/37
| Illegitimate son of [[Chilperic II]]
|}
|}


===Carolingian dynasty===
== Carolingians ==
{{main|Carolingian dynasty}}
=== Mayors of the palace ===
{{Main|List of the Mayors of the Palace}}
The [[Carolingians]] were initially [[mayors of the palace]] under the Merovingian kings, first in Austrasia and later in Neustria and Burgundy. In 687, Pippin of Heristal took the title [[Duke and Prince of the Franks]] (''dux et princeps Francorum'') after his conquest of Neustria in at the [[Battle of Tertry]], which was cited by contemporary chroniclers as the beginning of Pippin's reign. Between 715 and 716, the descendants of Pippin disputed the succession.
The [[Carolingians]] were initially [[mayors of the palace]] under the Merovingian kings, first in Austrasia and later in Neustria and Burgundy. In 687, Pippin of Heristal took the title [[Duke and Prince of the Franks]] (''dux et princeps Francorum'') after his conquest of Neustria in at the [[Battle of Tertry]], which was cited by contemporary chroniclers as the beginning of Pippin's reign. Between 715 and 716, the descendants of Pippin disputed the succession.


*[[Pepin of Landen|Pippin I]] of Landen (Austrasia: 623–629 and 639–640)
*[[Grimoald I]] (Austrasia: 643–656; died 662)
*[[Pepin of Herstal|Pippin II]] of Herstal (Austrasia: 680–714, Neustria and Burgundy: 687–695)
*[[Drogo of Champagne|Drogo]] (Burgundy: 695–708)
*[[Grimoald II]] (Neustria: 695–714, Burgundy: 708–714)
*[[Theudoald]] (Austrasia, Neustria, and Burgundy: 714–716)
*[[Charles Martel]] (Austrasia: 715–741, Neustria and Burgundy: 718–741)
*[[Carloman, son of Charles Martel|Carloman]] (Austrasia: 741–747; died 754 or 755)
*[[Pepin the Short|Pippin the Younger]] (Neustria and Burgundy: 741–751, Austrasia: 747–751)
In March 752,<ref>Charles Knight, ''The English Cyclopaedia: Volume IV'', (London : 1867); pg 733 ''"We have no circumstantial account of this important event, except that Pepin was anointed at Soissons, in March 752, by Boniface, bishop of Mainz, called the Apostle of Germany, before the assembly of the nation."''</ref><ref>Claudio Rendina & Paul McCusker, ''The Popes: Histories and Secrets'', (New York : 2002), pg 145</ref> Pippin III became the King of the Franks and the office of mayor disappeared. The Carolingians displaced the Merovingians as the ruling dynasty.
In March 752,<ref>Charles Knight, ''The English Cyclopaedia: Volume IV'', (London : 1867); pg 733 ''"We have no circumstantial account of this important event, except that Pepin was anointed at Soissons, in March 752, by Boniface, bishop of Mainz, called the Apostle of Germany, before the assembly of the nation."''</ref><ref>Claudio Rendina & Paul McCusker, ''The Popes: Histories and Secrets'', (New York : 2002), pg 145</ref> Pippin III became the King of the Franks and the office of mayor disappeared. The Carolingians displaced the Merovingians as the ruling dynasty.


{| style="text-align:center; width:100%" class="wikitable"
=== Kings of the Franks ===
! width=15% | Name<br/>Reign
*'''[[Pepin the Short|Pepin the Younger]]''', 752–768
! width="105" | Portrait
*'''[[Carloman I, King of the Franks|Carloman I]]''', 768–771 (Burgundy, Alemannia, southern Austrasia)
! width=20% | Birth
*'''[[Charlemagne|Charles I]]''', called '''Charlemagne''', 768–814 (at first only Neustria, Aquitaine, northern Austrasia), King of the Lombards 774, Emperor 800
! width=20% | [[List of Frankish queens|Marriage(s)]]<br/>Issue
**Duke of Maine: [[Charles the Younger]], 790–811
! width=19% | Death
**Italy: [[Pepin of Italy]], 781–810; [[Bernard of Italy]], 810–817
! Claim
**Aquitaine: [[Louis the Pious]], 781–814
|-
*'''[[Louis the Pious|Louis I]]''', called '''the Pious''', Emperor and King of the Franks with Charlemagne 813–814, senior from 814–840
| '''[[Pepin the Short|Pepin III]]'''<br><small>'''The Short'''</small><br/>November 751<br/>–<br/>24 September 768
**Italy: [[Lothair I]], 817–855
| [[File:Statue of Pepin the Short - Alte Mainbrücke, Würzburg - DSC02939.JPG|100px]]
**Bavaria: [[Louis the German]], 817–843
| 714<br/><br/>Son of [[Charles Martel]]<br/>and Rotrude of Trier
**Aquitaine: [[Pepin I of Aquitaine|Pepin I]], 817–838; [[Charles the Bald]], 838–855, in opposition to [[Pepin II of Aquitaine|Pepin II]], 838–851
| [[Bertrada of Laon]]<br/>741<br/>5 children
| 24 September 768<br/>Aged 54<br/>[[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]]
| Elected by Frankish nobles<br/>[[Coup d'état]] against Merovingians
|-
| '''[[Carloman I]]'''<br/>24 September 768<br/>–<br/>4 December 771
| [[File:Statue de Carloman - 1835.jpg|100px]]
| 28 June 751<br/>[[Soissons]]<br/>Son of [[Pepin the Short|Pepin III]]<br/>and [[Bertrada of Laon]]
| [[Gerberga, wife of Carloman I|Gerberga]]<br/>741<br/>2 sons
| 4 December 771<br/>Aged 20<br/>[[Samoussy]]
| Second son of [[Pepin the Short|Pepin III]]
|-
| '''[[Charlemagne|Charles I]]'''<br/><small>'''The Great'''</small><br/>24 September 768<br/>–<br/>28 January 814
| [[File:Carlomagno, 814.jpg|100px]]
| 2 April 742<br/>Son of [[Pepin the Short|Pepin III]]<br/>and [[Bertrada of Laon]]
| (1) [[Himiltrude]] (concubine)<br/>768<br/>1 son<br>
(2) [[Desiderata of the Lombards]]<br/>770<br/>Childless<br>
(3) [[Hildegard of the Vinzgau]]<br/>771<br/>9 children<br>
(4) [[Fastrada]]<br/>784<br/>2 daughters<br>
(5) [[Luitgard (Frankish queen)|Luitgard]]<br/>794<br/>Childless<br>
(6) Several concubines<br/>6 children
| 28 January 814<br/>Aged 71<br/>[[Aachen]]
| First son of [[Pepin the Short|Pepin III]]
|-
| '''[[Louis the Pious|Louis I]]'''<br/><small>'''The Pious'''</small><br/>28 January 814<br/>–<br/>20 June 840
| [[File:Louis the Pious from the Old City-Hall, Hamburg.jpg|100px]]
| 16 April 778<br/>[[Casseuil]]<br/>Son of [[Charlemagne|Charles I]]<br/>and [[Hildegard of the Vinzgau]]
| (1) [[Ermengarde of Hesbaye]]<br/>794<br/>6 children<br>
(2) [[Judith of Bavaria (died 843)|Judith of Bavaria]]<br/>819<br/>2 children
| 20 June 840<br/>Aged 61<br/>[[Ingelheim am Rhein]]
| Second son of [[Charlemagne|Charles I]]
|}


Louis the Pious made many divisions of his empire during his lifetime. The final division, pronounced at [[Worms, Germany|Worms]] in 838, made Charles the Bald heir to the west, including Aquitaine, and Lothair heir to the east, including Italy and excluding Bavaria, which was left for Louis the German. However, following the emperor's death in 840, the empire was plunged into a civil war that lasted three years. The Frankish kingdom was then divided by the [[Treaty of Verdun]] in 843. Lothair was allowed to keep his imperial title and his kingdom of Italy, and granted the newly created Kingdom of [[Middle Francia]], a corridor of land stretching from Italy to the North Sea, and including the Low Countries, the Rhineland (including Aachen), Burgundy, and Provence. Charles was confirmed in Aquitaine, where Pepin I's son Pepin II was opposing him, and granted [[West Francia]] (modern France), the lands west of Lothair's Kingdom. Louis the German was confirmed in Bavaria and granted [[East Francia]] (modern Germany), the lands east of Lothair's kingdom.
Louis the Pious made many divisions of his empire during his lifetime. The final division, pronounced at [[Worms, Germany|Worms]] in 838, made Charles the Bald heir to the west, including Aquitaine, and Lothair heir to the east, including Italy and excluding Bavaria, which was left for Louis the German. However, following the emperor's death in 840, the empire was plunged into a civil war that lasted three years. The Frankish kingdom was then divided by the [[Treaty of Verdun]] in 843. Lothair was allowed to keep his imperial title and his kingdom of Italy, and granted the newly created Kingdom of [[Middle Francia]], a corridor of land stretching from Italy to the North Sea, and including the Low Countries, the Rhineland (including Aachen), Burgundy, and Provence. Charles was confirmed in Aquitaine, where Pepin I's son Pepin II was opposing him, and granted [[West Francia]] (modern France), the lands west of Lothair's Kingdom. Louis the German was confirmed in Bavaria and granted [[East Francia]] (modern Germany), the lands east of Lothair's kingdom.

Revision as of 15:19, 5 August 2017

See also: List of Frankish queens

King of of the Franks
Roi des Francs
Fränkischen Herrscher
Coronation Crown of Charlemagne
Details
StyleMajesty Majesty
First monarchClovis I
Last monarchLouis the Pious
Formation509
AbolitionAugust 843
ResidencePalace of Aachen (768–840)
AppointerHereditary

The Franks were originally led by dukes (military leaders) and reguli (petty kings). The Salian Merovingians rose to dominance among the Franks and conquered most of Roman Gaul. They also conquered the Gaulish territory of the Visigothic Kingdom in 507. The sons of Clovis conquered the Burgundians and Alamanni. They acquired Provence and made the Bavarii and Thuringii their clients. The Merovingians were later replaced by a new dynasty called the Carolingians in the 8th century. By the end of the 9th century, the Carolingians themselves were replaced throughout much of their realm by other dynasties. The idea of a "King of the Franks" or Rex Francorum gradually disappeared over the 12th and 13th centuries.

A timeline of Frankish rulers is difficult since the realm was, according to old Germanic practice, frequently divided among the sons of a leader upon his death and then eventually reunited.

Kings of All Franks (448–511)

Merovingian dynasty

Main article: Merovingian dynasty

Clovis I united all the Frankish petty kingdoms as well as most of Roman Gaul under his rule, conquering the Domain of Soissons of the Roman general Syagrius as well as the Visigothic Kingdom of Toulouse. He took his seat at Paris, which along with Soissons, Reims, Metz, and Orléans became the chief residences. Upon his death, the kingdom was split among his four sons.[1]

Name
Reign 		Portrait Birth Marriage(s)
Issue 		Death Claim
Merovech
448
–
457 		c. 415
Tournai

Son of Chlodio
and Basina 		Verich
2 children 		c. 457
Aged 41/42 		Chief of the Salian Franks
right of conquest
Childeric I
457
–
482 		c. 440

Son of Merovech
and Verich 		Basina of Thuringia
464
4 children 		c. 482
Aged 41/42
Tournai 		Son of Merovech
Clovis I
509
–
27 November 511 		c. 466
Tournai

Son of [[Childeric I
and Basina of Thuringia 		(1) Unknown concubine

1 son

(2) Clotilde
493
4 children

27 November 511
Aged 44/45
Paris 		Son of Childeric I

Kings of the Neustrian Franks (511–679)

Merovingian dynasty

Name
Reign 		Portrait Birth Marriage(s)
Issue 		Death Claim
Childebert I[1]
27 November 511
–
13 December 558 		c. 496
Reims

Son of Clovis I
and Clotilde 		Ultragotha
510s
2 daughters 		13 December 558
Aged 61/62
Paris 		Son of Clovis I
Inherited fiefdoms of Paris and Neustria
Chlothar I[1]
The Old
13 December 558
–
29 November 561 		c. 497
Paris

Son of Clovis I
and Clotilde 		(1) Guntheuc
524
Childless

(2) Radegund
538
2 sons
(3) Ingund
pre-580
4 children
(4) Aregund
pre-580
1 son
(5) Chunsina
580
1 son

29 November 561
Aged 63/64
Compiègne 		Son of Clovis I
Natural brother of Childebert I
Charibert I[1]
29 November 561
–
December 567 		c. 517
Paris

Son of Clovis I
and Ingund 		Ingoberga
537
4 children 		December 567
Aged 49/50
Paris 		Son of Clovis I
Half-brother of Chlothar I and Clovis I
Chilperic I[1]
December 567
–
September 584 		c. 539
Paris

Son of Chlothar I
and Aregund 		(1) Audovera
540s
5 children

(2) Galswintha
567
Childless
(3) Fredegund
568
7 children

September 584
Aged 44/45
Chelles 		Son of Chlotar I
Chlotar II[1]
The Young
September 584
–
18 October 629 		c. 584
Paris

Son of Chilperic I
and Fredegund 		(1) Haldetrude


1 son

(2) Bertrude
613
Childless
(3) Sichilde
618
1 son

18 October 629
Aged 44/45 		Son of Chilperic I
Dagobert I
18 October 629
–
19 January 639 		603
Paris

Son of Chlotar II
and Haldetrude 		(1) Gormatrude


Childless

(2) Nanthild
pre-629
1 son
(3) Wulfegundis


Childless
(4) Berchildis

Childless

19 January 639
Aged 35/36
Épinay-sur-Seine 		Son of Chilperic I
Inherited all fiefdoms of Neustria
Clovis II
19 January 639
–
27 November 657 		634
Paris

Son of Dagobert I
and Nanthild 		Balthild
640s
3 sons 		27 November 657
Aged 22/23 		Son of Dagobert I
Chlothar III
27 November 657
–
Spring 673 		649
Paris

Son of Dagobert I
and Balthild 		Unmarried Spring 673
Aged 23/24 		First son of Clovis II
Childeric II
Spring 673
–
Autumn 675 		654
Paris

Son of Dagobert I
and Balthild 		Bilichild
688
2 sons 		Winter 691
Aged 21/22 		Second son of Clovis II
Theuderic III
Autumn 675
–
23 December 679 		654
Paris

Son of Dagobert I
and Balthild 		(1) Clotilda
pre-675
2 sons

(2) Amalberga of Maubeuge
674
1 daughter (3) Several concubines
At least 3 children

12 April 691
Aged 36/37 		Third son of Clovis II

Kings of the Austrasian Franks (511–679)

Merovingian dynasty

Notes

Chlothar II defeated Brunhilda and her grandson, reunifying the kingdom. However, in 623, in order to appease particularistic forces and also to secure the borders, he gave the Austrasians his young son as their own king. His son and successor, Dagobert I, emulated this move by appointing a sub-king for Aquitaine, with a seat at Toulouse, in 629 and Austrasia in 634.

Name
Reign 		Portrait Birth Marriage(s)
Issue 		Death Claim
Theuderic I[1][2]
27 November 511
–
Early 534 		c. 487
Paris

Son of Clovis I
and Clotilde 		(1) Suavegotha
510s
Childless

(2) Several concubines
At least 2 sons

Early 534
Aged 46/47 		Son of Clovis I
Inherited fiefdoms of Reims
Theudebert I[1]
Early 534
–
c. 548 		c. 503
Metz

Son of Theuderic I
and a concubine (prob.) 		(1) Deuteria
534
1 son

(2) Wisigard
540
Childless
(3) Unknown wife
540s
1 son

c. 548
Aged 44/45 		Son of Theuderic I
Theudebald[1]
c. 548
–
c. 555 		c. 535
Son of Theudebert I
and Deuteria 		Waldrada
540s
Childless 		c. 555
Aged 19/20 		Son of Theudebert I
Childebert I[1]
c. 555
–
13 December 558 		c. 496
Reims

Son of Clovis I
and Clotilde 		Ultragotha
510s
2 daughters 		13 December 558
Aged 61/62
Paris 		Son of Clovis I
Inherited fiefdoms of Paris and Neustria
Chlothar I[1]
The Old
13 December 558
–
29 November 561 		c. 497
Paris

Son of Clovis I
and Clotilde 		(1) Guntheuc
524
Childless

(2) Radegund
538
2 sons
(3) Ingund
pre-580
4 children
(4) Aregund
pre-580
1 son
(5) Chunsina
580
1 son

29 November 561
Aged 63/64
Compiègne 		Son of Clovis I
Natural brother of Childebert I
Sigebert I[1]
29 November 561
–
c. 575 		c. 535
Son of Chlothar I
and Ingund 		Brunhilda of Austrasia
567
3 children 		c. 575
Aged 39/40
Vitry-en-Artois 		Son of Chlothar I
Inherited fiefdoms of Metz and Reims
Childebert II
c. 575
–
March 595 		c. 535
Son of Sigebert I
and Brunhilda of Austrasia 		Faileuba

4 children 		March 595
Aged 24/25 		Son of Sigebert I
Theudebert II
March 595
–
612 		586
Son of Childebert II
and Faileuba 		(1) Bilichilde
608
2 children

(2) Teodechilde
610
1 son

612
Aged 25/26 		First son of Childebert II
Theuderic II
612
–
613 		587
Soissons
Son of Childebert II
and Faileuba 		Several paramours
4 sons 		613
Aged 25/26
Metz 		Second son of Childebert II
Sigebert II
613
–
Late 613 		File:Sceau de Sigebert II.jpg 601

Son of Theuderic II
and Ermenberge 		Unmarried 613
Aged 11/12 		Illegitimate son on of Theuderic II
Chlotar II[1]
The Young
September 584
–
623 		c. 584
Paris

Son of Chilperic I
and Fredegund 		(1) Haldetrude


1 son

(2) Bertrude
613
Childless
(3) Sichilde
618
1 son

18 October 629
Aged 44/45 		Son of Chilperic I
Dagobert I
623
–
634 		603
Paris

Son of Chlotar II
and Haldetrude 		(1) Gormatrude


Childless

(2) Nanthild
pre-629
1 son
(3) Wulfegundis


Childless
(4) Berchildis

Childless

19 January 639
Aged 35/36
Épinay-sur-Seine 		Son of Chilperic I
Fiefdoms of Austrasia granted by local nobility
Sigebert III
634
–
1 February 656 		630
Son of Dagobert I
and Ragnertrude (concubine) 		Chimnechild of Burgundy
651
2 children 		1 February 656
Aged 25/26 		Son of Dagobert I
Childebert III
The Adopted
1 February 656
–
661 		640s
Son of Grimoald
and Itta of Metz 		Unmarried 661
Aged 20s 		Adoptive son of Sigebert III
Chose as heir by his predecessor
Chlothar III
661
–
Spring 673 		649
Paris

Son of Dagobert I
and Balthild 		Unmarried Spring 673
Aged 23/24 		First son of Clovis II
Childeric II
Spring 673
–
Autumn 675 		654
Paris

Son of Dagobert I
and Balthild 		Bilichild
688
2 sons 		Winter 691
Aged 21/22 		Second son of Clovis II
Clovis III
Autumn 675
–
c. 676 		c. 670

Son of Chlothar III
and unknown paramour 		Unmarried c. 676
Aged 5/6 		Illegitimate son of Chlothar III
Dagobert II
c. 676
–
23 December 679 		c. 650

Son of Sigebert III
and Chimnechild of Burgundy 		Unknown woman
1 son (uncertain) 		23 December 679
Aged 28/29
Stenay 		Natural son of Sigebert III

Kings of the Franks (679–)

Merovingian dynasty

Theuderic III was recognized as king of all the Franks in 679. From then on, the kingdom of the Franks can be treated as a unity again for all but a very brief period of civil war. This is the period of the "idle kings" who were increasingly overshadowed by their mayors of the palace.

Name
Reign 		Portrait Birth Marriage(s)
Issue 		Death Claim
Theuderic III
23 December 679
–
12 April 691 		654
Paris

Son of Dagobert I
and Balthild 		(1) Clotilda
pre-675
2 sons

(2) Amalberga of Maubeuge
674
1 daughter (3) Several concubines
At least 3 children

12 April 691
Aged 36/37 		Third son of Clovis II
Clovis IV
12 April 691
–
695 		c. 680


Son of Theuderic III
and Clotilda 		Unmarried 695
Aged 14/15 		First son of Theuderic III
Childebert III
The Just
695
–
23 April 711 		c. 683


Son of Theuderic III
and Clotilda 		(1) Ermenchild
1 son

(2) Unknown paramour
1 son

23 April 711
Aged 27/28 		Second son of Theuderic III
Dagobert III
The Just
23 April 711
–
31 December 715 		c. 699


Son of Childebert III
and Ermenchild 		(1) Unknown wife
1 son

(2) Unknown paramour
1 son

31 December 715
Aged 15/16 		Second son of Theuderic III
Chilperic II
31 December 715
–
13 February 721 		c. 672


Son of Childeric II
and Bilichild 		Unknown concubine
1 son 		13 February 721
Aged 48/49
Attigny, Ardennes 		Second son of Childeric II
First cousin of Dagobert III
Theuderic IV
13 February 721
–
16 March/30 April 737 		c. 712


Son of Dagobert III
and unknown woman 		Unknown concubine
1 son 		16 March/30 April 737
Aged 24/25 		Son of Dagobert III
Interregnum (737–743); Charles Martel reigned as Regent
Theuderic IV
The Phantom King
743
–
November 751 		c. 717


Son of Chilperic II
and unknown paramour 		Unknown paramour
1 son 		754
Aged 36/37 		Illegitimate son of Chilperic II

Carolingian dynasty

Main article: Carolingian dynasty

The Carolingians were initially mayors of the palace under the Merovingian kings, first in Austrasia and later in Neustria and Burgundy. In 687, Pippin of Heristal took the title Duke and Prince of the Franks (dux et princeps Francorum) after his conquest of Neustria in at the Battle of Tertry, which was cited by contemporary chroniclers as the beginning of Pippin's reign. Between 715 and 716, the descendants of Pippin disputed the succession.

In March 752,[3][4] Pippin III became the King of the Franks and the office of mayor disappeared. The Carolingians displaced the Merovingians as the ruling dynasty.

Name
Reign 		Portrait Birth Marriage(s)
Issue 		Death Claim
Pepin III
The Short
November 751
–
24 September 768 		714

Son of Charles Martel
and Rotrude of Trier 		Bertrada of Laon
741
5 children 		24 September 768
Aged 54
Saint-Denis 		Elected by Frankish nobles
Coup d'état against Merovingians
Carloman I
24 September 768
–
4 December 771 		28 June 751
Soissons
Son of Pepin III
and Bertrada of Laon 		Gerberga
741
2 sons 		4 December 771
Aged 20
Samoussy 		Second son of Pepin III
Charles I
The Great
24 September 768
–
28 January 814 		2 April 742
Son of Pepin III
and Bertrada of Laon 		(1) Himiltrude (concubine)
768
1 son

(2) Desiderata of the Lombards
770
Childless
(3) Hildegard of the Vinzgau
771
9 children
(4) Fastrada
784
2 daughters
(5) Luitgard
794
Childless
(6) Several concubines
6 children

28 January 814
Aged 71
Aachen 		First son of Pepin III
Louis I
The Pious
28 January 814
–
20 June 840 		16 April 778
Casseuil
Son of Charles I
and Hildegard of the Vinzgau 		(1) Ermengarde of Hesbaye
794
6 children

(2) Judith of Bavaria
819
2 children

20 June 840
Aged 61
Ingelheim am Rhein 		Second son of Charles I

Louis the Pious made many divisions of his empire during his lifetime. The final division, pronounced at Worms in 838, made Charles the Bald heir to the west, including Aquitaine, and Lothair heir to the east, including Italy and excluding Bavaria, which was left for Louis the German. However, following the emperor's death in 840, the empire was plunged into a civil war that lasted three years. The Frankish kingdom was then divided by the Treaty of Verdun in 843. Lothair was allowed to keep his imperial title and his kingdom of Italy, and granted the newly created Kingdom of Middle Francia, a corridor of land stretching from Italy to the North Sea, and including the Low Countries, the Rhineland (including Aachen), Burgundy, and Provence. Charles was confirmed in Aquitaine, where Pepin I's son Pepin II was opposing him, and granted West Francia (modern France), the lands west of Lothair's Kingdom. Louis the German was confirmed in Bavaria and granted East Francia (modern Germany), the lands east of Lothair's kingdom.

The following table does not provide a complete listing for some of the various regna of the empire, especially those which were subregna of the Western, Middle, or Eastern kingdom such as Italy, Provence, Neustria, and Aquitaine.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m William Deans; Frederick Martin (1882). A History Of France: From The Earliest Times To The Present Day. Vol. 1. Edinburgh & London: A. Fullarton & Co. pp. 420-1792, Table Of Sovereigns Of France, vi-ix.
  2. ^ Contested by Munderic, 533, rival king in the Auvergne
  3. ^ Charles Knight, The English Cyclopaedia: Volume IV, (London : 1867); pg 733 "We have no circumstantial account of this important event, except that Pepin was anointed at Soissons, in March 752, by Boniface, bishop of Mainz, called the Apostle of Germany, before the assembly of the nation."
  4. ^ Claudio Rendina & Paul McCusker, The Popes: Histories and Secrets, (New York : 2002), pg 145

Further reading

  • The history of France as recounted in the "Grandes Chroniques de France", and particularly in the personal copy produced for King Charles V between 1370 and 1380 that is the saga of the three great dynasties, the Merovingians, Carolingians, and the Capetians, that shaped the institutions and the frontiers of the realm. This document was produced and likely commissioned during the Hundred Years' War, a dynastic struggle between the rulers of France and England with rival claims to the French throne. It should therefore be read and considered carefully as a source, due to the inherent bias in the context of its origins.
  • The Cambridge Illustrated History of France – Cambridge University Press
  • The Origins of France: Clovis to the Capetians 500-1000 by Edward James ISBN 0-333-27052-5
  • Late Merovingian France: History and Hagiography, 640-720 (Manchester Medieval Sources); Paul Fouracre (Editor), Richard A. Gerberding (Editor) ISBN 0-7190-4791-9
  • Medieval France: An Encyclopedia, eds. W. Kibler and G. Zinn. New York: Garland Publishing, 1995.
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