The Merovingian Dynasty was the first major royal dynasty of the Franks, a Germanic tribe which, under the leadership of the Merovingians, established one of the earliest European kingdoms in what is now modern-day France and parts of Germany. The dynasty's name comes from Merovech, the semi-legendary founder, although the historical record of his existence is sparse.
The Merovingians are traditionally said to have begun with Childeric I, who is often identified as the son of Merovech. Childeric's rule was marked by a consolidation of power in the region around Tournai in present-day Belgium. His son, Clovis I, however, is credited with the real expansion and unification of the Frankish kingdoms. Clovis I converted to Catholicism around 496, a strategic move that helped him gain the support of the Gallo-Roman population and the Roman Catholic Church. His victory over the Visigoths at the Battle of Vouillé in 507 was pivotal in establishing his dominance over much of Gaul.
The Merovingian Dynasty gradually weakened due to internal divisions, external pressures from neighboring tribes, and the growing power of the mayors. By the 7th century, the mayors had become the de facto rulers. The last Merovingian king, Childeric III, was deposed in 751 by Pepin the Short, who was then elected king by the Frankish nobles and anointed by Pope Zacharias, marking the beginning of the Carolingian Dynasty.
The Merovingians left a lasting impact: