MEROVINGIAN DYNASTY
around 450 - 751

The Merovingians were Franks. Their Frankish rulers had the custom to divide the kingdom among the sons of the ruler when he died. A good idea? Debatable.

THE MEROVINGIAN DYNASTY IN HISTORY
The rule of the Merovingians was followed by that of the Carolingians. The most successful of the Carolingians was Charlemagne. He brought the Frankish realm to its biggest extend. See map below.

MAP OF FRANKISH TERRITORIES
CLICK TO ENLARGE
 

Among others, the members of the Merovingian family were:

Merovech

Childeric I, son of Merovech

Clovis I, son of Childeric I. Clovis I had four sons, Theodoric I, Chlodomir, Childebert I, and Chlotar I.

The sons of Chlotar I were:
Charibert I, Guntram, Sigebert I, and Chilperic I.

Childebert II, son of Sigebert I

Chlotar II, son of Chilperic I

Theodebert II  and Theodoric II, sons of Childebert II

Dagobert I, son of Chlotar II

Sigebert II, son of Theodoric II

Sigebert III and Clovis II, sons of Dagobert I

Dagobert II, son of Sigebert III

Chlotar III, Childeric II, Theodoric III, sons of Clovis II

Clovis III, son of Theodoric III

Childeric III was the last Merovingian king, ousted by a member of the Carolingian family, Pepin III the Short.