The Franks, Germanic-speaking peoples that invaded the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, were first led by individuals called dukes and reguli. The earliest group of Franks that rose to prominence was the Salian Merovingians, who conquered most of Roman Gaul, as well as the Gaulish territory of the Visigothic Kingdom, in 507 AD.
The sons of Clovis I, the first King of the Franks, conquered the Burgundian and the Alamanni Kingdoms. They acquired Provence, and went on to make the peoples of the Bavarii and Thuringii their clients. The Merovingians were later replaced by the new Carolingian dynasty in the 8th century. By the late 10th century, the Carolingians themselves had been replaced throughout much of their realm by other dynasties.
A timeline of Frankish rulers has been difficult to trace since the realm, according to old Germanic practice, was frequently divided among the sons of a king upon the king's death. However, territories were eventually reunited through marriage, treaty or conquest. There were often multiple Frankish kings who ruled different territories, and divisions of the territories were not very consistent over time.
As inheritance traditions changed over time, the divisions of Francia (the lands of the Franks) started to become kingdoms that were more permanent. West Francia formed the heart of what was to become the Kingdom of France; East Francia evolved into the Kingdom of Germany; and Middle Francia became the Kingdom of Lotharingia in the north, the Kingdom of Italy in the south, and the Kingdom of Provence in the west. West and East Francia soon divided up the area of Middle Francia.
The idea of a "King of the Franks" (Rex Francorum) gradually disappeared. The title "King of the Franks" is attested in the Kingdom of France until 1190, that of "Queen of the Franks" (for queen consorts) until 1227. That represented a shift in thinking about the monarchy from that of a popular monarchy, the leader of a people, sometimes without a defined territory to rule, to that of a monarchy tied to a specific territory.
See 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 (Aquitaine). He took his seat at Paris, which along with Soissons, Reims, Metz, and Orléans became the chief residences. Upon his death, his four sons – and later his grandsons – split the kingdom among them. Every son received a part of the original Frankish territory and also a part of the newly acquired Aquitaine.
| Name Reign | Portrait | Birth | Marriage(s) Issue | Death | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clovis I 509 – 27 November 511 | Tournai Son of Childeric I and Basina of Thuringia | 1. unknown wife: 1 son 2. Clotilde, 493: 4 children | 27 November 511 Aged 44/45 Paris | King of the Salian Franks since 481; united all Franks under his rule by 509 | ||
| Theuderic I[1] 27 November 511 – Early 534 | Paris Son of Clovis I and an earlier wife: Evochildis of Cologne | 1. Suavegotha, 510s: childless 2. Several concubines: at least 2 sons | Early 534 Aged 46/47 | Resided at Reims | ||
| Chlodomer 27 November 511 – 524 | Reims Son of Clovis I and Clotilde | Guntheuc, 510s: 3 sons | 524 Aged 28/29 Vézeronce | Resided in Orleans, conquered Burgundy | ||
| Childebert I[2] 27 November 511 – 13 December 558 | Reims Son of Clovis I and Clotilde | Ultragotha, 510s: 2 daughters | 13 December 558 Aged 61/62 Paris | Resided in Paris | ||
| Chlothar I 27 November 511 – 29 November 561 | Paris Son of Clovis I and Clotilde | 1. Guntheuc, 524: childless 2. Radegund, 538: childless 3. Ingund, 532: 4 children 4. Aregund, 536: 1 son 5. Chunsina: 1 son | 29 November 561 Aged 63/64 Compiègne | Resided in Soissons Reunited the kingdom in 558 | ||
| Theudebert I Early 534 – | Metz Son of Theuderic I and a concubine (prob.) | 1. Deuteria, 534: 1 son 2. Wisigard, 540: childless 3. Unknown wife, 540s: 1 son | Aged 44/45 | Resided at Reims | ||
| Theudebald – | Son of Theudebert I and Deuteria | Waldrada, 540s: Childless | Aged 19/20 | Resided at Reims | ||
| Charibert I 29 November 561 – December 567 | Paris Son of Chlothar I and Ingund | Ingoberga, 537: 4 children | December 567 Aged 49/50 Paris | Resided at Paris | ||
| Guntram 29 November 561 – 28 March 592 | Soissons Son of Chlothar I and Ingund | 1. Veneranda: 1 son 2. Marcatrude: 1 son 3. Austregilde: 2 sons | 28 March 592 Aged 59/60 Chalon-sur-Saône | Resided at Orleans and Chalon-sur-Saône, ruled Burgundy Adopted Childebert II | ||
| Sigebert I 29 November 561 – | Son of Chlothar I and Ingund | Brunhilda 567 3 children | Aged 39/40 Vitry-en-Artois | Resided at Reims and Metz | ||
| Chilperic I 29 November 561 – September 584 | Paris Son of Chlothar I and Aregund | 1. Audovera, 540s: 5 children 2. Galswintha, 567: Childless 2. Fredegund, 568: 7 children | September 584 Aged 44/45 Chelles | Resided at Soissons | ||
| Childebert II – March 595 | Son of Sigebert I and Brunhilda | Faileuba: 4 children | March 595 Aged 24/25 | Resided at Metz His mother Brunhilda acted as regent in his early years. Inherited Burgundy from Guntram | ||
| Chlothar II September 584 – 18 October 629 | 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 | Resided at Soissons His mother Fredegunde acted as regent in his early years. Reunited the kingdom. | ||
| 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 Resided at Metz His grandmother Brunhilda acted as regent in his early years. | ||
| 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 Ruled Burgundy (with his grandmother Brunhilda), conquered Austrasia | ||
| Sigebert II 613 – Late 613 | 601 Son of Theuderic II and Ermenberge | Unmarried | 613 Aged 11/12 | Illegitimate son of Theuderic II Ruled Burgundy and Austrasia with his great-grandmother Brunhilda as regent. |
Chlothar II defeated Brunhilda and her great-grandson, Sigibert II, reunifying the kingdom. By that time the realms of Neustria, Burgundy and Austrasia had developed regional identities. In order to appease the local nobility, Austrasia was usually ruled by separate king, often a son or brother of the king ruling in Neustria and Burgundy. A similar arrangement for Aquitaine was short-lived.
| Name Reign | Portrait | Birth | Marriage(s) Issue | Death | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlothar II September 584 – 18 October 629 | 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 | Reunited the Kingdom | ||
| Dagobert I 18 October 629 – 19 January 639 | 603[3] Paris Son of Chlothar II and Haldetrude | 1. Gormatrude: childless 2. Nanthild, pre-629: 1 son 3. Wulfegundis; childless 4. Berchildis: childless | 19 January 639 Aged 33/34 Épinay-sur-Seine | Son of Chlothar II King in Austrasia 623-634 | ||
| Charibert II October 629 – 8 April 632 | 607/617 Paris Son of Chlothar II and Sichilde | Gisela, daughter of Amand, Ruler of the Gascons 629 Chilperic | 8 April 632 Aged 15/25 Blaye, Gironde | Son of Chlothar II Ruled Aquitaine | ||
| Clovis II 19 January 639 – 27 November 657 | 633 Paris Son of Dagobert I and Nanthild | Balthild, 640s: 3 sons | 27 November 657 Aged 23/24 | Son of Dagobert I | ||
| Chlothar III 27 November 657 – Spring 673 | 652 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild | Unknown paramour: possibly 1 son | Spring 673 Aged 20/21 | First son of Clovis II | ||
| Theuderic III Spring 673 | 654 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild | 1. Chrothildis, 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 (III) September 675 – June 676 | Son of Chlothar III and unknown paramour | Unmarried | Aged 5/6 | Illegitimate son of Chlothar III King in Austrasia also claimed Neustria and Burgundy | ||
| Childeric II Spring 673 – Autumn 675 | 653 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild | Bilichild, 662: 2 sons | Autumn 675 Aged 21/22 | Second son of Clovis II King in Austrasia 662-675 | ||
| Theuderic III Autumn 675 – 12 April 691 | 654 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild | 1. Chrothildis, 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 Also king in Austrasia after 679 |
Chlothar II had reunified the kingdom in 613. By that time the realms of Neustria, Burgundy and Austrasia had developed regional identities. In order to appease the local nobility, Clothar made his young son, Dagobert I, king of Austrasia. Austrasia was usually ruled by a separate king, often a son or brother of the king ruling in Neustria and Burgundy, for the following decades.
| Name Reign | Portrait | Birth | Marriage(s) Issue | Death | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dagobert I 623 – 634 | 605 Paris Son of Chlothar II and Haldetrude | 1. Gormatrude: childless 2. Nanthild, pre-629: 1 son 3. Wulfegundis; childless 4. Berchildis: childless | 19 January 639 Aged 34/35 Épinay-sur-Seine | Son of Chlothar II After 629 also King in Neustria and Burgundy | ||
| 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 The Adopted 1 February 656 – 661 | 640s Son of Grimoald and Itta of Metz | Unmarried | 661 Aged 20s | Adoptive son of Sigebert III | ||
| Chlothar III 661 – 662 | 649 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild | Unknown paramour: possibly 1 son | Spring 673 Aged 23/24 | First son of Clovis II Also King in Neustria and Burgundy | ||
| Childeric II 662 – Autumn 675 | 654 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild | Bilichild, 662: 2 sons | Winter 691 Aged 21/22 | Second son of Clovis II After 673 also King in Neustria and Burgundy | ||
| Clovis (III) September 675 – June 676 | Son of Chlothar III and unknown paramour | Unmarried | Aged 5/6 | Illegitimate son of Chlothar III Claimed rule also in Neustria and Burgundy | ||
| Dagobert II – 23 December 679 | Son of Sigebert III and Chimnechild of Burgundy | Unknown woman | 23 December 679 Aged 28/29 Stenay | Son of Sigebert III |
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 unit again for all but a very brief period of civil war. This is the period of the roi fainéant, "do-nothing kings" who were increasingly overshadowed by their mayors of the palace.
| Name Reign | Portrait | Birth | Marriage(s) Issue | Death | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theuderic III Autumn 675 – 12 April 691 | 654 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild | 1. Chrothildis, pre-675: 2 sons 2. Amalberga of Maubeuge, 674: 1 daughter 3. Several concubines: At least 3 children | 12 April 691 Aged 36/37 | Recognized king of all Franks after 23 December 679 | ||
| Clovis IV 12 April 691 – 695 | Son of Theuderic III and Chrothildis | Unmarried | 695 Aged 17/18 | First son of Theuderic III | ||
| Childebert III The Just 695 – 23 April 711 | Son of Theuderic III and Chrothildis | 1. Ermenchild: 1 son 2. Unknown paramour: 1 son | 23 April 711 Aged 32/33 | Second son of Theuderic III | ||
| Dagobert III 23 April 711 – 31 December 715 | Son of Childebert III and Ermenchild | 1. Unknown wife: 1 son 2. Unknown paramour: 1 son | 31 December 715 Aged 16 | Second son of Childebert III | ||
| Chilperic II Daniel 31 December 715 – 13 February 721 | Son of Childeric II and Bilichild | Unknown woman: 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 | Son of Dagobert III and unknown woman | Unknown woman: 1 son | 16 March/30 April 737 Aged 24/25 | Son of Dagobert III | ||
| Interregnum (737–741) – Charles Martel reigned as prince | ||||||
| Childeric III 741 – November 751 | Son of Chilperic II and unknown woman | Unknown woman: 1 son | 754 Aged 36/37 | Son of either Chilperic II or Theuderic IV | ||
See 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 Pepin 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 Pepin's reign. Between 715 and 716, the descendants of Pepin disputed the succession.
Finally, in 747 Pepin the Short became Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia in addition to that of Neustria, making him ruler of the entire Frankish kingdom. He arranged for the deposition of the Merovingian king Childeric III and in March 752,[4] [5] Pepin was himself anointed King of the Franks. The office of Mayor was absorbed into the Crown, and this marked the start of the Carolingians as the ruling dynasty.
| Name Reign | Portrait | Birth | Marriage(s) Issue | Death | Claim | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepin 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 | ||
| Charles I The Great "Charlemagne" 24 September 768 – 28 January 814 | 2 April 742 Son of Pepin the Short and Bertrada of Laon | (1) Himiltrude (concubine) 768 1 son (2) Desiderata of the Lombards 770 Childless (3) Hildegard 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 the Short | ||
| Carloman I 24 September 768 – 4 December 771 | 28 June 751 Soissons Son of Pepin the Short and Bertrada of Laon | Gerberga 741 2 sons | 4 December 771 Aged 20 Samoussy | Second son of Pepin the Short | ||
| Louis I The Pious 28 January 814 – 20 June 840 | 16 April 778 Casseuil Son of Charles I and Hildegard | (1) Ermengarde of Hesbaye 794 6 children (2) Judith of Bavaria 819 2 children | 20 June 840 Aged 62 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 who were subregna of the Western, Middle, or Eastern kingdom such as Italy, Provence, Neustria, and Aquitaine.
| Soissons | Orléans | Paris | Austrasia | ||
| 509–511 | (king of all Franks) | ||||
| 511–524 | (Soissons, 511-561) (sole king, 558-561) | Chlodomer (Orleans, 511-524) | Childebert I (Paris, 511-558) | Theuderic I (Austrasia, 511-534) | |
| 524–532 | |||||
| 532–534 | |||||
| 534–548 | Theudebert I (Austrasia, 534-548) | ||||
| 548–555 | Theudebald (Austrasia, 548-555) | ||||
| 555–558 | |||||
| 558–561 | |||||
| Neustria / Soissons | Orléans & Burgundy | Paris | Austrasia | |
| 561–567 | Chilperic I (Neustria, 561-584) (Paris, 567-584) | Guntram (Orleans & Burgundy, 561-592) | Charibert I (Paris, 561-567) | Sigebert I (Austrasia, 561-575) |
| 567–575 | Paris divided | |||
| 575–584 | Childebert II (Austrasia, 575-596) (Burgundy, 592-596) | |||
| 584–592 | (Neustria, 584-629) (sole king, 613-629) | |||
| 592–596 | ||||
| 596–612 | Theuderic II (Burgundy, 596-613) | Theudebert II (Austrasia, 596-612) | ||
| 612–613 | ||||
| 613 | Sigebert III (Austrasia & Burgundy, 613) | |||
| 613–622 | ||||
| 623–629 | (Austrasia, 623-634) (Neustria, 629-639) (sole king, 632-634) | |||
| 629–632 | Aquitaine | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charibert II (Aquitaine, 629-632) | ||||
| Chilperic of Aquitaine (Aquitaine, 632) | ||||
| 632–634 | ||||
| Neustria & Burgundy | Austrasia | |
| 634–639 | Dagobert I (former king of all Franks, 632-634) (king of Neustria, 629-639) | Sigebert III (king of Austrasia, 634-656) Mayor of the palace: Adalgisel; Pepin I; Otto; Grimoald I |
| 639–656 | Clovis II (639–657) Mayors: Aega; Erchinoald in Neustria; Flaochad; Radobertus in Burgundy | |
| 656–657 | Childebert III the Adopted (656–662) Mayor of the palace: Grimoald I | |
| 657–658 | Chlothar III (657–673) Mayor of the palace: Ebroin | |
| 658–662 | ||
| 662–663 | ||
| 663–673 | Childeric II (663–675) Mayor of the palace: Wulfoald | |
| 673 | Theuderic III Mayor of the palace: Ebroin | |
| 673–675 | ||
| 675–676 | Theuderic III (restored) Mayors: Leudesius (675); Ebroin (675-680); Waratton (681); Gistemar (682); Waratton (682–685); Berchar (686); Nordebert (687–695) | Clovis III Mayor of the palace: Wulfoald |
| 676–679 | Dagobert II Mayor of the palace: Wulfoald | |
| 679–691 | (king of all Franks; 679–691) | Mayor of the palace: Pepin II (680–714) |
| 691–695 | Clovis IV (691-695) | |
| Mayor: Nordebert | Mayor: Pepin II | |
| 695–711 | Childebert IV (695-711) | |
| Mayors: Grimoald II in Neustria; Drogo in Burgundy | Mayor: Pepin II | |
| 711–715 | Dagobert III (711-715) | |
| Mayors: Grimoald II (695–714); Theudoald (714–715) | Mayor: Pepin II (679–714); Theudoald (714–-716) | |
| 715–717 | Chilperic II (715-721) | |
| Mayor: Ragenfrid (715–719) | Mayor: Theudoald (714–716) | |
| 717–719 | Chlothar IV (rival king in Austrasia, 717–719) Mayor: Charles Martel (717–741) | |
| 719–721 | Mayor: Charles Martel (719-741) | |
| 721–737 | Theuderic IV (721-737) Mayor: Charles Martel (719-741) | |
| 737–743 | Mayor: Charles Martel (719-741) | |
| Mayor: Pepin the Short (741–751) | Mayor: Carloman (741–747) | |
| 743–751 | Childeric III (743-751) | |
| Mayor: Pepin the Short (741–751) | Mayor: Carloman (741–747) | |
| Map | Aquitaine | West Francia | Middle Francia | Provence | Italy | Bavaria / Lorraine | East Francia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louis I the Pious Emperor and King of the Franks (814-840) | ||||||||
| Pepin I (817-838) | Lothair I King of Italy (818-840) | Louis II the German King of Bavaria (817-840) | ||||||
| Pepin II (838-864) rival king Charles the Child (855-866) | ||||||||
| Civil war between Louis I's sons (840–843); see Treaty of Verdun | ||||||||
| Charles II the Bald (843-877) West Francia | Lothair I Emperor and King of Italy (840-855) | Louis II the German (843-876) King of East Francia | ||||||
| Lothair II of Lotharingia (855-869) King of Lotharingia | Charles of Provence (855-863) | Louis II of Italy Emperor of the Romans and King of Italy (855-875) | ||||||
| Lothair II and Louis of Italy | ||||||||
| Louis II the Stammerer (866-877) | Charles II and Louis the German | Louis II of Italy Emperor and King of Italy (855-875) | ||||||
| Charles II the Bald Emperor (875-877), King of Italy (875-877) and King of West Francia (843-877) | Carloman of Bavaria (876-80) | Louis III the Saxon King of Saxony (876-882) Charles III the Fat King of Alemannia (876-882) | ||||||
| Louis II the Stammerer King of West Francia (877-879) and Aquitaine (866-877) | Carloman of Bavaria King of Bavaria (876-880) and Italy (877-880) | |||||||
| Louis III (879-882) Carloman II (879-884) Kings of West Francia | Boso (879-887) | Charles III the Fat King of Alemannia (876-882) King of Italy (880-887) | Louis III the Saxon King of Saxony (876-882) King of Baviera (880-882) | Charles III the Fat King of Alem. (876-882) King of Italy (880-887) | ||||
| Charles III the Fat Emperor (881-887) King of West Francia (884-888) | Charles III the Fat Emperor (881-888) King of East Francia (882-887) and Italy (880-887) | |||||||
AD 888 | Eudes (888-898) | Rudolf I King of Burgondy (888-912) (Rudolphins) | Louis III the Blind (887-933) | Berengar I (887-889) | Arnulf of Carinthia King of East Francia (887-899) King of Lotharingia (887-894) | |||
| Guy III (889-894) Lambert (891-895) | ||||||||
| Arnulf Emperor (896-899) King of Italy (895-899) | Zwentibold King of Lotharingia (894-900) | Arnulf (887-899) | ||||||
AD 898 | Charles III the Simple King of West Francia (898-922) King of Lotharingia (911-922) | |||||||
| Berengar, Emperor (915-24) Lambert, (896-898) Louis III, Emperor (901-905) Rodolf II (922-926) y Hugh (926) | Louis IV the Child King of East Francia (899-911) King of Lotharingia (900-911) | |||||||
AD 915 | Rodolf II (912-937) | Charles III the Simple King of Lotharingia (911-922) | Conrad I (911-918) | |||||
| Robert I (922-923) | Rudolf II of Burgundy King of Burgondy & Provence (933-937) | Hugh of Italy (926-947) | Henry I the Fowler King of Germany (918-936) | |||||
| Rudolph (923-936) | ||||||||
| Otto I the Great King of Germany (936-973) | ||||||||
AD 947 | Louis IV Transmarinus (936-954) | Conrad I of Burgundy (937-993) - Elder House of Welf - | Lothair II of Italy (947-950) | |||||
| Lothair (954-986) | Berengar II (950-961) Adalbert (950-963) | |||||||
| Louis V the Do-Nothing (986-987) | Otto I the Great Emperor (962-973), king of Italy (961-973) and Germany (936-973) - Ottonian dynasty - | |||||||
| Hugh Capet (987-996) - Capetian dynasty - | ||||||||
| List of French monarchs | List of kings of Burgundy | List of kings of Italy | List of German monarchs | |||||