Merovingian Dynasty

Yesterday we left off with Charlemagne, which, I might add, sparked quite the debate on my Facebook page. 

Charlemagne's ancestors were the first of the Carolingian ruling dynasty in France, bringing an end to the Merovingian dynasty.

Let's have a look at the Merovingian dynasty:

The Merovingian dynasty ruled the region known then as Francia in Latin (corresponding to ancient Gaul) from 448 until March 752 when Pope Zachery deposed Childeric III, putting in his place Pepin the Short ... father of Charlemagne. 

You with me so far?

So, think Charlemagne and put history on rewind.

There are many legends on the origins of the Merovingian dynasty: 

Some say that Chlodio's wife was swimming and encountered bestea Neptuni Quinotauri similes or Quinotaur as in sea monster. She bore a son from this unearthly encounter, Merovee, the first Merovingian King, giving this royal dynasty supernatural origins.

The Quinotaur

The Quinotaur's son, Merovee.

The Merovingian dynasty is also said to be the decedents of Jesus Christ. Theory has it that Christ didn't die on the cross, his brother did by accident, and he and Mary Magdalen came to France where they raised their children. 

You can read more about that theory in the book The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln. The authors sued Dan Brown, author of the Da Vinci Code, for copyright infringement. Curiously, one of Dan Brown's protagonist is named Leigh Teabing (Leigh after, Richard Leigh and Teabing switched around spells Baigent). I digress ....

The Merovingians are also said to be descendants of the Trojans. So, take your pick!

Although the Kingdom of Francia was conceived as a single entity, it was partitioned into parts given to sons; little kings ruled by one king. Terrible fighting amongst them ensued. Add to that fighting with the Ostrogoths, the Lombards (Italian), the Visigoths, and the Slavs, you can imagine that constant war was the norm. They don't call it the Dark Ages for nothing!

Monks brought Christianity to the Franks and religion was so entrenched in their culture, that their culture is sometimes seen as synonymous with their religion. There were many abbesses, abbots, bishops, and miracle workers in the Merovingian dynasty.

Here are a few images of the Merovingian Kings; known as the "Long Haired Kings", they all had symbolic long flowing locks. 

Clovis I (465 - 511)

Clotaire (558 - -561)

Dagobert I (629 - 638)

Clovis II (638 - 657)

Childeric I and II

Childeric III the last Merovingian King

Herre he is being deposed by Pope Zachary in 752.

A pretty good looking bunch, non? I could certainly see them in the pages of People Magazine or on Perezhilton.com if it were today. I kid, I kid, I certainly don't want to be disrespectful, non, non, non. This was a big, important dynasty that absolutely shaped the history of France, Germany, Europe and the world. The dynasty fascinates me to the point where I'll keep digging away, learning all I can about them. 

Bon! Gros bisous des dynasties fascinantes et a demain.

Love, Charley