List of Frankish kings
Frankish monarchs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Franks, Germanic 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, following the Battle of Vouillé in 507 AD.
The sons of Clovis I, the first King of all Franks, conquered the Burgundian and the Alamanni kingdoms, as well as 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, and 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.
Early Frankish rulers
- Genobaud (3rd century?)
- Merogais and Ascaric (4th century)
- Marcomer (4th century), dux
- Sunno (4th century), dux
- Genobaud (4th century), dux
- Mallobaudes (4th century)
- Theodemer (5th century)
- Ragnachar (died c. 509), killed by Clovis
- Chararic (died c. 509), killed by Clovis
"Salian Franks" in Northern France
- Chlodio (c. 420-450)
- Merovech (c. 450–457), perhaps a relative of Chlodio
- Childeric I (c. 457–481), son of Merovech
- Clovis I (c. 481–511), the first Merovingian king, who ruled all Franks by 509
"Ripuarian Franks" in Cologne
- Childebert (5th century)
- Sigobert the Lame (died c. 509), killed at the instigation of Clovis
- Chlodoric the Parricide (died c. 509), son of Sigobert, killed by Clovis
Merovingian dynasty (509–751)
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. In almost every case, the brothers ended up fighting each other.
- Kings in Austrasia (Reims/Metz); lines of Theuderic I and Sigibert I
- Kings in Orléans; lines of Chlodomer and Guntram
- Kings in Paris; lines of Childebert I and Charibert I
- Kings in Neustria (Soissons); lines of Chlothar I and Chilperic I
Evolution of the Frankish kingdom (AD 481, 511, 561, 587, and 628), by Paul Vidal de La Blache (1894).
| Portrait | King | Reign | Succession | Marriage(s) | Life details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) non-contemp. |
Clovis I King of all Franks |
c. 509[a] – 27 November 511 (2 years) |
Son of Childeric I and grandson of Merovech. Ruled initially over the Salian and later Ripuarian Franks; killed his rivals and became sole king | Clotilde | c. 466 – 27 November 511 (aged ~45) King of the Salian Franks since 481; conquered Gaul in 486 and Aquitaine in 507. Baptized on Christmas Day in 508[2] |
| — | Theuderic I King of Austrasia |
December 511 – 534 (nearly 23 years) |
Eldest son of Clovis and an earlier concubine | Suavegotha | Clovis' eldest son; died of natural causes[3] |
 |
Chlodomer King of Orléans |
December 511 – 21 June 524 (12 years and 6 months) |
Eldest son of Clovis I and Clotilde | Guntheuc | c. 496 – 21 June 524[b] (aged ~28) Killed in Burgundy; his sons were then killed by his brothers, who divided his realm[6] |
 |
Childebert I King of Paris King of Orléans (524–558) |
December 511 – 23 December 558 (46 years) |
Son of Clovis I and Clotilde. Later inherited Orléans after the death of Chlodomer in 524 | Ultragotha | c. 498 – 23 December 558 (aged ~60) Conquered Burgundy alongside his brothers[7] |
 |
Chlothar I King of Neustria King of Austrasia (555–561) King of all Franks (558–561) |
December 511 – December 561 (50 years) |
Youngest son of Clovis I and Clotilde; ruled over the Salian heartlands and briefly reunited Francia in 558 | List
|
c. 500 – December 561 (aged ~61) Longest-reigning Frankish monarch[8] |
.jpg) |
Theudebert I King of Austrasia |
534 – 548 (14 years) |
Son of Theuderic I and Suavegotha | (1) Vuldetrada (2) Deuteria |
c. 500 – 548 (aged ~48) First king to mint his own coins[9] |
| — | Theudebald King of Austrasia |
548 – 555 (7 years) |
Son of Theudebert I and Deuteria | Waldrada | c. 535 – November/December 555 (aged ~28) Died of illness; his realm was taken by Chlothar I[10] |
 |
Charibert I King of Paris & Aquitaine |
December 561 – December 567 (6 years) |
Eldest son of Chlothar I and Ingund | List
|
c. 521 – December 567 (aged ~46) At his death his brothers divided his realm[11] |
 |
Chilperic I King of Neustria King of Paris (567–584) |
December 561 – September 584 (22 years and 9 months) |
Son of Chlothar I and Aregund | (1) Audovera (2) Galswintha (3) Fredegund |
c. 523/9 – September 584 (aged 55–61) Assasinated, possibly at the instigation of Sigebert I[12] |
 |
Guntram King of Orléans King of Paris (584–592) |
December 561 – 28 March 592 (1 year and 3 months) |
Son of Chlothar I and Ingund | (1) Vénérande (2) Marcatrude (3) Austregilde |
c. 532 – 28 March 592 (aged ~60) Revered as a saint by the Catholic Church[13] |
 |
Sigebert I King of Austrasia |
December 561 – December 575 (13 years and 11 months) |
Son of Chlothar I and Ingund | Brunhilda | c. 535 – December 575 (aged ~40) Fought a civil war against Chilperic; assasinated at the instigation of queen Fredegund[14] |
.png) |
Childebert II King of Austrasia King of Orléans (592–596) |
December 575 – November 595 (9 years and 11 months) |
Son of Sigebert I and Brunhilda; began his reign as a baby | Faileuba | c. 570 – November 595 (o 596) (aged ~25) Poisoned by Chlothar II during their civil war[15] |
 |
Gundoald (disputed) King of Aquitaine |
584 – 585 (a few months) |
Usurper king; claimed to be a son of Chlothar I | — | Revolted with the support of Eastern emperor Maurice, defeated and killed by Guntram's forces[16][17] |
.jpg) |
Chlothar II King of Neustria King of all Franks (613–629) |
September 584 – September 629 (45 years) |
Son of Chilperic I and Fredegund; began his rule as a baby under several regencies | (1) Haldetrude (2) Bertrude (3) Sichilde |
May/June 584 – September 629 (aged 45) Fought several wars against his brothers and queen Brunhilda, whom he executed in 613[18] |
 |
Theudebert II Austrasia |
596 – 612 (16 years) |
Son of Childebert II and grandson of queen Brunhilda, who ruled as regent | (1) Bilichild (2) Théodechilde |
c. 586 – 612 (aged ~26) Deposed and murdered by Chlothar II[19] |
 |
Theuderic II King of Orléans King of Austrasia (612–613) |
596 – 613 (17 years) |
Son of Childebert II and grandson of queen Brunhilda, who ruled as regent | Ermenberga | c. 587 – 613 (aged ~26) Fought his cousin and brother; died of natural causes[20] |
.png){kind=spacer} |
Sigebert II King of Orléans, Paris & Austrasia |
613 (very briefly) |
Son of Theuderic II | — | c. 602– late 612 (aged ~10) Murdered while still a child by Chlothar II[21] |
 |
Charibert II King of Aquitaine |
September 629 – 632 (less than 2 years) |
Son of Chlothar II | — | c. 606 – 632 (aged ~26) Died of natural causes, or assasinated[22] |
| — | Chilperic King of Aquitaine |
632 (very briefly) |
Son of Charibert II | — | Succeeded as a baby and was killed shortly after; may have never actually reigned[23] |
.png) |
Dagobert I King of Austrasia King of Neustria (629–639) King of all Franks (632–639) |
February/March 623 – 19 January 639 (9 years and 2 months) |
Son of Chlothar II | List
|
c. 603 – 19 January 639 (aged ~35) Last Merovingian to exercise real power; first king to be buried in the Basilica of Saint-Denis[24] |
Puppet kings (639–751)
Francia was reunified by Chlothar II and his son Dagobert I. By that time the realms of Neustria, Burgundy and Austrasia had developed regional identities. In order to appease the local nobility, Austrasia, which composed the Western half of the kingdom, was usually ruled by a separate king, often a son or brother of the king ruling in Neustria and Burgundy. A similar arrangement for Aquitaine was short-lived. The kings of this period are known as the roi fainéant, "do-nothing kings" who were increasingly overshadowed by their mayors of the palace. Most of them began their reign as children and died young.
Kings in Neustria
| Portrait | King | Reign | Succession | Marriage(s) | Life details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Clovis II King of Neustria |
19 January 639 – October 657 (18 years and 9 months) |
Son of Dagobert I | Balthild | c. 633/4 – Sept/Nov 657 (aged ~22/23) Held no real power[25] |
 |
Chlothar III King of Neustria King of all Franks (c. 662) |
October 657 – April 673 (5 years and 6 months) |
Son of Clovis II; briefly reunified Francia in 662 but was forced to divide it again | — | c. 652 – March/May 673 (aged ~21) Died suddenly of unknown causes[26] |
| — Francia briefly reunified by Childeric II — | |||||
.jpg) |
Theuderic III King of Neustria King of all Franks (679–691) |
late 675 – early 691 (nearly 16 years) |
Son of Clovis II; exiled by mayor of the palace Ebroin in 673 but restored to the throne after Childeric's murder. Reunified Francia in 679 | Chrothildis | c. 651 – early 691 (aged ~40) Defeated Dagobert II at the Battle of Lucofao in 679, but was himself defeated at the Battle of Tertry against the Austrasian mayor Pepin of Herstal in 687[27] |
Kings in Austrasia
| Portrait | King | Reign | Succession | Marriage(s) | Life details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Sigebert III King of Austrasia |
633 – 1 February 656 (33 years) |
Son of Dagobert I; proclaimed king while as a baby | Chimnechild | c. 630 – 1 February 656 (aged ~26) Ruled under several regencies[28] |
 |
Childebert III "the Adopted" King of Austrasia |
656–662 (?) (6 years?) |
Son of mayor Grimoald and adopted son of Sigebert III | — | Exact chronology disputed; may have reigned only briefly before his execution in 662[29][30] |
| — Francia briefly reunified by Chlothar III — | |||||
 |
Childeric II King of Austrasia King of all Franks (673–675) |
662 – October 675 (13 years) |
Second son of Clovis II; proclaimed king as a baby | Bilichild | c. 650 – October 675 (aged ~25) Assasinated in a conspiracy[31] |
_coin.PNG){kind=small} |
Clovis III (disputed) King of Austrasia |
675 – 676 (1 year) |
Son of Chlothar III; installed by mayor Ebroin after Childeric's murder | — | Obscure king often excluded from regnal lists[32] |
 |
Dagobert II King of Austrasia |
May 676 – 23 December 679 (3 years and 6 months) |
Son of Sigebert III | — | c. 650 – 23 December 679 (aged ~29) Assasinated in a conspiracy[33] |
Successors of Theuderic III (691–751)
| Portrait | King | Reign | Succession | Marriage(s) | Life details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Clovis IV King of all Franks |
691 – 695 (4 years) |
Son of Theuderic III | — | c. 677 – 695 (aged ~18) Dominated by mayor Pepin of Herstal[34] |
 |
Childebert IV "the Just" King of all Franks |
695 – 14 April 711 (16 years) |
Son of Theuderic III | Unknown | c. 680 – 695 (aged ~18) Said in to have been "a famous and just lord"[35] |
| — | Dagobert III King of all Franks |
14 April 711 – late 715 (4 years) |
Son of Childebert IV | Unknown | c. 698 – 715 (aged ~17) Yet another child king who died young[36] |
 |
Chilperic II Daniel King of all Franks |
late 715 – 13 February 721 (6 years) |
Son of Childeric II | Unknown | c. 673 – 721 (aged ~48) Dominated by mayor Ragenfrid; fought mayor Charles Martel over the Austrasian lands[37] |
| — | Chlothar IV (disputed) King of Austrasia |
c. 718–719 (1 year) |
Genealogy uncertain; installed as king by mayor Charles Martel | — | Obscure rival king[38] |
| — | Theuderic IV King of all Franks |
13 February 721 – March/April 737 (16 years) |
Son of Dagobert III | Unknown | c. 712 – March/April 737 (aged ~25) Dominated by mayor Charles Martel[39] |
| — Interregnum; Francia is ruled by mayors Charles Martel and Pepin the Short — | |||||
| — | Childeric III King of all Franks |
February 743 – November 751[c] (8 years and 9 months) |
Genealogy uncertain; installed by Pepin | Unknown | Was deposed and died five years later[40] |
Carolingian dynasty (751–987)
The Carolingians were originally mayors of the palace under the Merovingians, initially ruling over Austrasia. In 687, Pepin of Herstal took the title Duke and Prince of the Franks (dux et princeps Francorum) after his conquest of Neustria at the Battle of Tertry, which was cited by contemporary chroniclers as the beginning of Pepin's rule. His death in 714 was followed by a succession struggle. Finally, in 747 Pepin the Short became mayor of both Austrasia and Neustria, making him the de facto ruler of all Francia. He deposed king Childeric III and Pepin was himself crowned King of the Franks. His successor Charles, better known as Charlemagne, was crowned Emperor by the Pope in the year 800, a date cited by some scholars as the beginning of the Holy Roman Empire.
Both the French and German monarchies claimed succession from the Carolingians. Thus Charlemagne and Louis the Pious are recorded as "Charles I" and "Louis I", after which the numbering diverges.[d]
Junior king
| Portrait | King | Reign | Succession | Marriage(s) | Life details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 non-contemp. |
Pepin "the Short" King of all Franks |
November 751 – 24 September 768 (16 years and 10 months) |
Son of Charles Martel; deposed the Merovingian dynasty with support of the papacy in Rome | Bertrada of Laon | c. 714 – 768 (aged ~54) Further expanded Frankish influence in Western Europe; died of natural causes[41] |
,_Reĝo_de_la_Frankoj,_Baziliko_de_Saint-Denis.jpg) non-contemp. |
Carloman I King of Soissons |
24 September 768[e] – 4 December 771 (3 years, 2 months and 8 days) |
First son of Pepin the Short | Gerberga | 751 – 4 December 771 (aged 20) Had a troublesome relationship with his brother[42] |
 |
Charles I "the Great" King of Austrasia King of all Franks (771–814) Holy Roman Emperor (800–814)[f] |
24 September 768[g] – 28 January 814 (45 years, 4 months and 4 days) |
Second son of Pepin the Short; reunified the Frankish kingdom in 771 | List
|
2 April 748[h] – 28 January 814 (aged 65) Conquered Lombard Italy in 774 with support of the papacy and was crowned Roman Emperor in 800. Nicknamed the "Father of Europe", his reign also saw the beginning of the Carolingian Renaissance[46] |
| — | Charles the Younger King of Neustria |
25 December 800 – 4 December 811 (11 years lacking 21 days) |
Son of Charlemagne; never reigned independently |
— | 772/73 – 4 December 811 (aged 38–39) Obscure king overshadowed by his father[47] |
.jpg) |
Pepin Carloman King of Italy |
15 April 781 – 8 July 810 (29 years, 2 months and 24 days) |
Son of Charlemagne; never reigned independently |
Theodrada (?) | 777 – 8 July 810 (aged 33) Born as Carloman, renamed Pepin and crowned as a baby in Easter 781, at Rome[48] |
.jpg) |
Bernard King of Italy |
8 July 810 – late 817 (7 years) |
Son of Pepin; never reigned independently |
Cunigunda of Laon | 797 – 17 April 818 (aged 20–21) Refused to rule as subordinate of Lothair I as per Louis' Ordinatio imperii, revolted but was deposed and blinded, later dying from his wounds[49] |
.jpg) |
Louis I "the Pious" King of all Franks Holy Roman Emperor |
28 January 814[i] – 20 June 840 (26 years, 4 months and 23 days) |
Son of Charlemagne; crowned king of Aquitaine on 15 April 781 and co-emperor on 11 September 813 |
(1) Ermengarde of Hesbaye (2) Judith of Bavaria |
Summer 778 – 20 June 840 (aged 62) His later years were marked internal strife and civil war between his sons; was briefly deposed between 1 October 833 an 1 March 834[50][51][52] |
 |
Pepin I King of Aquitaine |
817 – 838 (21 years) |
Son of Louis the Pious; never reigned independently |
Unknown | 797 – 13 December 838 (aged 39) Rebelled against his father, but was pardoned[53][54] |
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 was granted the newly created kingdom of Middle Francia, a corridor of land stretching from Italy to the North Sea. Charles was confirmed in Aquitaine, where Pepin I's son Pepin II was opposing him, and granted West Francia, which later became France. Louis the German was confirmed in Bavaria and granted East Francia, which would later become Germany.
| Portrait | King | Reign | Succession | Marriage(s) | Life details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) |
Lothair I King of Middle Francia Holy Roman Emperor |
c. 10 August 843[j][k] – 29 September 855 (12 years and 1 month ½) |
Son of Louis the Pious; crowned co-emperor in July 818 |
Ermengarde of Tours | 795 – 29 September 855 (aged 60) Suffered an illness and divided his realm in the Treaty of Prüm shortly before his death[57][58] |
 non-contemp. |
Charles King of Provence |
29 September 855 – 25 January 863 (7 years, 3 months and 25 days) |
Son of Lothair I | — | 845 – 25 January 863 (aged 17–18) Died of epilepsy; his realm was partioned[59][60] |
 |
Lothair King of Lotharingia |
29 September 855 – 8 August 869 (13 years, 10 months and 10 days) |
Son of Lothair I | (1) Teutberga
(2) Waldrada |
835 – 8 August 869 (aged 34) His divorce with his first wife led to his excommunication by Pope Nicholas I[58][61] |
 non-contemp. |
Louis II King of Italy Holy Roman Emperor |
29 September 855[l] – 12 August 875 (19 years, 10 months and 14 days) |
Son of Lothair I; crowned co-emperor in 844 |
Engelberga | 822/25 – 12 August 875 (aged 50/53) Signed the Treaty of Meerssen that partioned Lotharingia in 870[62] |
| Italy is absorbed into West Francia and then East Francia before fragmenting on the death of Emperor Charles III | |||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Later Frankish kings in Italy and Burgundy
After the deposition of Charles the Fat in 887, several Frankish nobles claimed the title of King of Italy and Emperor. At the same time, Rudolph I from Upper Burgundy broke away from the Carolingian Empire and established a kingdom of their own. Emperor Arnulf (king of East Francia/Germany) briefly managed to reclaim Italy between 894 and 899, after which it once again was ruled by independent kings. Both Italy and Burgundy were later absorbed into the Holy Roman Empire.
| Portrait | King | Reign | Succession | House | Marriage(s) | Life details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Berengar I King of Italy Emperor (915–924) |
December 887[m] – 7 April 924 (36 years and 4 months) |
Grandson of Louis the Pious; usurped the throne from Charles the Fat |
Unruoching / Carolingian |
Bertila of Spoleto | c. 850 – 7 April 924 (aged ~74) Fought several claimants to the throne. Murdered during his war against Rudolph I[63] |
.png) non-contemp. |
Guy King of Italy Emperor (891–896) |
February 889[n] – 12 December 894 (5 years and 10 months) |
Great-grandson of Charlemagne; ruled in opposition to Berengar |
Guideschi / Carolingian |
Ageltrude | 855 – 12 December (?) 894 (aged 39) Also briefly claimed West Francia in 888. Died after a blood haemorrhage[64] |
.jpg) non-contemp. |
Lambert Emperor in Italy |
12 December 894[o] – 15 October 898 (3 years, 10 months and 3 days) |
Son of Guy, crowned co-ruler in 891; ruled in opposition to Berengar |
Guideschi Carolingian |
— | c. 880 – 15 October 898 (aged ~18) Died after falling from his horse[65] |
 |
Louis III "the Blind" King of Provence Emperor in Italy |
12 October 900[p] – 21 July 905 (4 years, 9 months and 9 days) |
Son of Boso of Provence and grandson of Emperor Louis II; ruled in opposition to Berengar |
Bivinid Carolingian |
Ana of Constantinople |
c. 880 – 5 June 928 (aged ~48) Deposed and blinded by Berengar[66] |
| — Italy is invaded by king Rudolph II of Burgundy in 922 — | ||||||
.png) non-contemp. |
Hugh King of Italy |
July 926 – early 947 (21 years) |
Great-grandson of Emperor Lothair I; conquered Italy from the Burgundians |
Bosonid Carolingian |
List
|
c. 880 – 10 April 948 (aged ~67) Defeated by Berengar II in 945, but was allowed to maintain his title. Abdicated[67] |
.png) non-contemp. |
Lothair II King of Italy |
early 947 – 20 November 950 (3 years) |
Son of Hugh; co-king since birth | Bosonid Carolingian |
Adelaide of Italy | c. 930 – 22 November 950 (aged ~20) His reign was dominated by Berengar, who may have poisoned him[67] |
 non-contemp. |
Berengar II King of Italy |
15 December 950 – August 961 (10 years and 8 months) |
Grandson of Berengar I of Italy; crowned himself king after Hugh's death |
Anscarid Carolingian |
Willa of Tuscany | c. 900 – 6 August 966 (aged ~66) De facto ruler since 945, ousted in 961 by Otto the Great after invading the Papal States[68] |
 non-contemp. |
Adalbert Co-King of Italy |
Son and co-ruler of Berengar II | Anscarid Carolingian |
Gerberga | 932/36 – 972/76 (aged ~40) Deposed alongside his father[69] | |
| Northern Italy is then absorbed into the Holy Roman Empire, see List of German monarchs. See also List of historical states of Italy. | ||||||
| Portrait | King | Reign | Succession | House | Marriage(s) | Life details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Rudolph I King of Burgundy |
January 888 – 25 October 912 (24 years and 9 months) |
Proclaimed king in Saint-Maurice | Elder House of Welf | Guilla of Provence | Unknown – 25 October 912 Attempted to restore Middle Francia[70] |
| — | Rudolph II King of Burgundy King of Italy (922–926) |
25 October 912 – 12/13 July 937 (24 years, 9 months and 18/19 days) |
Son of Rudolph I | Elder House of Welf | Bertha of Swabia | c. 880/885 – 12/13 January 937 (aged 51–56) Adquired Provence[71] |
 |
Conrad I King of Burgundy |
12/13 July 937 – 19 October 993 (56 years, 3 months and 6/7 days) |
Son of Rudolph II | Elder House of Welf | (1) Adelaide of Bellay (2) Matilda of France |
c. 925 – 19 october 993 (aged ~68) One of the longest reigning monarchs[72] |
_(cropped).jpg) |
Rudolph III King of Burgundy |
19 October 993 – 5/6 September 1032 (38 years, 10 months and 17/18 days) |
Son of Conrad I | Elder House of Welf | (1) Agiltrud (2) Ermengarde |
c. 970 – 5/6 September 1032 (aged ~62) Died childless and was forced to declare Emperor Conrad II as his heir[73] |
| Burgundy is then absorbed into the Holy Roman Empire, see List of German monarchs | ||||||
Kings of all Franks (simplified)
- Clovis I (c. 509–511)
- Chlothar I (558–561)
- Chlothar II (613-629)
- Dagobert I (632–634)
- Chlothar III (662–663)
- Childeric II (673–675)
- Theuderic III (679–691)
- Clovis IV (691–695)
- Childebert IV (695–711)
- Dagobert III (711–715)
- Chilperic II (715–717, 719–721)
- Theuderic IV (721–737)
- Charles Martel (regent, 737–741)
- Childeric III (743–751)
- Pepin the Short (751–768)
- Charles the Great (771–814)
- Louis the Pious (814–840)
- Charles the Fat (885–887)
Graphic lists
| Soissons | Orléans | Paris | Austrasia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 509–511 | Clovis I (king of all Franks) | |||
| 511–524 | Chlothar I (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 |
| 567–575 | Paris divided | |||
| 575–584 | Childebert II (Austrasia, 575–596) (Burgundy, 592–596) | |||
| 584–592 | Chlothar II (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 II (Austrasia & Burgundy, 613) | |||
| 613–622 | ||||
| 623–629 | Dagobert I (Austrasia, 623–634) (Neustria, 629–639) (sole king, 632-634) | |||
| 629–632 | Aquitaine | |||
| Charibert II (Aquitaine, 629–632) | ||||
| 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 | Interregnum 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 Carolingian civil war | ||||||
| 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 (husb. Ermengard, dau. Louis II of Italy) (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 Bavaria (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 (884–887) |
Charles III the Fat Emperor (881–887) King of East Francia (876–887) and Italy (880–887) | |||||
 AD 888 |
Eudes (nephew of Ermengarde of Tours, wife of Lothair I) (888–898) |
Rudolph I (husb. Willa, dau. Boso) King of Burgundy (888–912) (Rudolphins) |
Louis III the Blind (887–933) |
Berengar I (son of Gisela, dau. Louis II the German) (887–889) |
Arnulf of Carinthia King of East Francia (887–899) King of Lotharingia (887–894) | ||
| Guy III (grandson of Adelaide, sister of Bernard of Italy) (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) Rudolf II (922–926) and Hugh (926) |
Louis IV the Child King of East Francia (899–911) King of Lotharingia (900–911) | ||||||
 AD 915 |
Rudolph II (912–937) |
Charles III the Simple King of Lotharingia (911–922) |
Conrad I (son-in-law of Gisela, dau. Louis II the German) (911–918) | ||||
| Robert I (full brother of Eudes) (922–923) |
Rudolph II of Burgundy King of Burgundy & Provence (933–937) |
Hugh of Italy (son of Bertha, dau. Lothair II of Lotharingia) (926–947) |
Henry I the Fowler (nephew of Liutgard of Saxony, wife of Louis the Saxon) (911–918) King of Germany (918–936) | ||||
| Rudolph (nephew of Richilde of Provence, wife of Charles the Bald) (923–936) | |||||||
| Otto I the Great King of Germany (936–973) | |||||||
 AD 947 |
Louis IV Transmarinus (936–954) |
Conrad I of Burgundy (937–993) Rudolph III of Burgundy (993–1032) |
Lothair II of Italy (947–950) | ||||
| Lothair (954–986) |
Berengar II (son of Gisela, dau. Berengar I) (950–961) Adalbert (950–963) | ||||||
| Louis V the Do-Nothing (986–987) |
Otto I the Great husband of Adelaide of Italy, widow of Berengar II 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 German monarchs | ||||||
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.
Notes
- The most frequently cited date is 481, the year Clovis succeeded his father Childeric I. However, at that time he was only one of several Frankish chiefs, and it was not until the end of his 30-year reign that all Franks were unified under his rule.[1]
- Chlodomer's date of death is found in a contemporary inscription from Anse, Rhône. [4] The chronology of the Frankish kings is disputed. Royal documents or inscriptions are often used to calculate a given king's tenure, but this is not always certain. Some authors give the death of Charibert II as 8 April 632, but sources actually indicate that he died between January 631 and 8 April 632. Likewise, the death of Chlothar II is sometimes given as 18 October 629, but this date actually refers to his latest attestation.[5]
- These numbering arrangements are often arbitrary. Regnal numbers were not adopted until the reign of Emperor Lothair III, who was actually the second emperor of that name, while also the third king of Italy named Lothair (to add to confusion, the son of Emperor Lothair I is also known as Lothair II). Emperor Charles V adopted his regnal number by counting all emperors named Charles, including Charles the Bald, who never ruled over Germany. Charles V of France, however, decided to exclude Charles the Fat precisely because he was originally a German king. Emperor Louis IV was the fourth emperor of that name, but was at the same time the fifth king named Louis. The nickname "Louis the Younger" is simultaneously used for Emperor Louis II, king Louis of Saxony, and king Louis VII of France.
- The exact term "Holy Roman Emperor" was not adopted until the 12th century.[43] By crowning Charlemagne as Imperator Romanorum, the papacy ceased recognition of Empress Irene as the legitimate ruler of the Roman Empire, which still survived in the Greek East.[44]
- Crowned king of Austrasia on 9 October 768, at Noyon; became sole king on Carloman's death on 4 December 771, and was crowned emperor by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800, at Rome.
- Crowned senior emperor in October 816 by Pope Stephen IV. He had been previously crowned king as a baby on 15 April 781, thus having a total de jure reign of 59 years, 2 months and 5 days. Louis was declared deposed on 1 October 833, but was restored five months later, on 1 March 834, and crowned again at Metz on 28 February 835. Thus his de facto reign amounts to 25 years and 11 months, while his de jure reign amounts to 58 years and 10 months.
- Crowned senior emperor on 5 April 832 by Pope Paschal I. He had been previously named co-emperor and king in July 818, thus having a de jure reign of 37 years and 2 months.
- The exact date of the Treaty of Verdun is uncertain. 10 August is the date found in a document written shortly after the treaty was signed.[55][56]
- Crowned emperor in 844 by Pope Sergius II, thus having a de jure reign of 31 years.
- Crowned emperor in early December 915 by Pope John X.
- Crowned emperor on 21 February 891 by Pope Stephen V.
- Crowned co-king in May 891, and co-emperor on 30 April 892 by Pope Formosus.
- Proclaimed king of Provence in August 890; crowned emperor in February 901 by Pope Benedict IV.