2. Genealogy
  3. Clovis I France

Clovis I France

Claim Value Date Age Reliability
ID I11564      
User ID Reference AA9E769E0F3D4954A34F36BC12D961C43907      
User ID Reference MVGJ-V1Y      
Gender Male Gender    
Name Clovis I France    
Title King of the Franks, König der Franken, frank király
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Physical Description known as Le Grand and The Riparian
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Burial ÉGlise Sainte-Genevieve, Paris, Seine, France
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Marriage Evochilde Amalaberge (Skyres) (~462-~510), Of, France (ABT 492–493)
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  • NAME: Alternate Spellings> Chlodowech; Chlodwig; Clovis. Original name Chlodevechus. Modernized to Clovis. Pronounced and written in the 800's Lodovechus. shortened to Lodovec and in French is Louis. "CLOVIS" reigned from 481/2 to Nov 511 (30 yrs). In 486 he attacked Soissons which was ruled by Syagrius, was victorious and extended his borders to the Loire. He is seen to be the founder of Frankish power in western Europe. Under his rule, he united the Franks and led them in a series of successful military campaigns. It is said that he was converted to Christianity by his wife Chrotechilde (Crotilde) who was a Christian and by calling upon divine help in the midst of a battle that was going badly at the time. (probably 496). He had prolonged wars with the Almans and the Visigoths. The Visigoth's suffered a decisive defeat at the hands of Clovis in 507. After the Soissons campaign, his next major achievement was to subject the Thuringiens to his rule.(491) between the Elbe and the Main rivers. He led two campaigns against the Alamans in 496 and 506. After his election as King to the Ripparian Franks he was the master of the franks on both sides of the Rhine. GREGORY OF TOURS (Frankish historian and Bishop of Tours) --'The Franks ought, indeed, to have been warned by the sad fate of earlier kings, who through thier inability ever to agree with one another, were killed by thier enemies... Just think of all Clovis achieved. Clovis the founder of your victorious country, who slaughtered those rulers who opposed him, conquered hostile peoples and captured thier territories. Thus bequeathing to you absolute and unquestioned dominion over them. At the time when he accomplished this , he possessed neither gold nor silver such as you have in your treasure houses! But you, what are you doing?.., you cannot keep peace, and therefore you do not know the grace of God'. The story of "le vase de Soissons" is a testament to his friendly relationship with Bishop Remigus. Theodoric I "the great" (Ostrogothic king in Italy) married Clovis's sister Audofleda. Clovis went against the Burgundians because Clotilda's parents (King Chilperic) had been murdered by Gundobald, brother to King Godesisil. He forced Gundobald to pay tribute. In revenge, Gundobald killed his brother and all the chief supporters because they had supported Clovis. Nothing was done for this because an alliance was needed to join forces to fight the Visigoths which lasted for ten years. Battles were fought in 496, 498 and 507. Alaric II, Visigoth King agreed to pay tribute but did so with debased coin. Clovis therefore invaded his kingdom probably in 507. about 10 miles from potters at Vouellé. Alaric II was killed. Clovis was aided by the son of King Sigibert "the lame", Gundobad King of Burgundy and Theodoric "the great" King of the Ostrogoths in Italy. The result of which was the moving of the Visigoths to Spain where they remained until they were destroyed by an Arab invasion of 711. Toward the end of his reign, he moved the capital from Tours to Paris. Clovis disposed of several rivals on his way to power. Charic made the mistake of not supporting Clovis in his campaign against Syagirus. He and his son were ordered tonsured (heads shaved) and ordained clerics. Clovis heard that Charic's son was threatening to kill him as soon as his hair grew out again and had both father and son beheaded; taking over their kingdom. He then bribed some followers of Ragnachar King of the Franks around Cambrai who handed Ragnachar and his brother Ricchar over to Clovis who killed them both with his ax and then berated the leudes for betrayal. Rignomer another brother was also put to death. Gregory of Tours indicates that 'in the same way he encompassed the death of many other kings and blood-relations of his whom he suspected of conspiring against his kingdom'. The Ripuarian Franks with thier capital in Cologne were brought into the kingdom of the Franks by treachery. The story goes that Clovis persuaded Chloderic to kill his father for a reward. While Chloderic was selecting his reward from his father's treasure chest, one of Clovis's men split his head open with his ax. Clovis went to the army of the Reinland franks, said that Cloderich had killed his father and had in turn been killed. The Reinland Franks clashed thier shields, shouted thier approval and made Clovis thier king. This section of the kingdom was known as Austrasia (present day Germany). The Austrasians remained on the whole Germanic speaking while Neustria and Aquitane became Latin speaking. He is also said to have brought the Bretons under Frankish rule. Upon the death of Clovis, his four sons inherited the kingdom. Theoderich, (illegitimate), Chlodomer, Childebert and Chlotar. by Clotilde. They established four capitols--Metz, Orleans, Paris and Soissons. Chlodomer King of Orleans; Childebert King of Paris; Chlotar King of Soissons; and Theoderich King of Metz.(Reims). Source: Author: James, Edward Title: The Franks Call Number: SLCL book 944 J27fr Publication Information: Cambridge, Massachusetts: Blackwell, 1991 Source: Author: Langer, William L. Title: An Encyclopedia of World History; Ancient, Medieval, and Modern, Chronologically Arranged Publication Information: 5th edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1972
Number Same As Name Reliability Path

4 Total Ancestors
Generation 1
[1.01  2]   Clovis I France (467-511)
Generation 2
[1.02  3]   Childrich I (436-482)
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[2.01*  ]   Basina (~438->470)
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Generation 3
[1.03*  ]   Merovech (410-~457)
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[3.01*  ]   Verica (415-)
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