The Merovingians are the first dynasty of Frankish kings whose history is firmly attested. From Childeric I and Clovis to the last “do-nothing kings”, they dominated Gaul from the 5th to the 8th century, before yielding to the Carolingians in 751.
Clovis and partitions
Clovis unified many Franks and conquered much of Gaul; after 511 the realm was repeatedly divided. Mayors of the palace gained real power until Pepin the Short took the throne.