The first ruling dynasty of the Frankish state were the Merovingians, whose ancestors are considered more mythical than real persons. Exact data about them existed a little, and this gave the right to descendants to attribute to themselves the divine origin. One way or another, but representatives of this dynasty ensured the emergence of the state of the Franks.
Myths and legends of medieval France
As in Russia there is a source of the Tale of Bygone Years, some of which are disputed by later research, and in France there is an anonymous chronicle, The Book of the History of the Franks, or The Acts of the Frankish Kings. As an author of the Russian chronicle, the monk is credited with Nestor, and the French source was presumably composed by the Bishop of Tours, Gregory of Tours. According to this book, the genus of the Merovingians can be traced right up to the king of Priam, the last ruler of Troy, whose number of children numbered five dozen. One of them was Markomir, the leader of the Franks in the IV century. And his son Faramond, according to the above source, for a long time was considered the first king of the Merovingian dynasty. But later his very existence was questioned. So Faramond as the first ruler of the state of the francs disappears.
The origins of the great dynasty
His son, Chlodion Long-haired (390-447), who ruled around 427-447, is also a legendary or mythical person. Although a little more is known about him. He is considered the king of Salic or Western Franks. This branch separated from other representatives of this people and lived in Toksandria (Northern Brabant, between the rivers Maas and Scheldt) from 420, then to Turna, a city not far from present-day Brussels. The nickname "Long-haired" Chlodion got because not cut from the birth of the head of hair hinted at the divine origin and belonging to the highest royal caste. He is famous for the fact that his son and successor Merovei is already a semi-legendary person, and it is believed that it was precisely because of his name that the name of the first ruling dynasty of the Frankish state of Merovingians was given. But not he - the first ruler of the state of the Franks. However, some sources attribute to him the victory over the Huns in the Katalaun fields. Attila retreated, and the Salic Franks settled in Gaul for good.
Really existing personality
Merovei died after a ten-year reign, his son Hilderik I. succeeded to the throne. And here he is a really existing person. This is not only written, but also material evidence. In 1653, near the church of Saint-Brice, now part of the canton of North Cognac, while building the foundations for the orphanage, Hölderik's grave was found with its weapons, personal belongings and jewelery, engraved with his name, translated as a "powerful warrior". He expanded the territories of the future Frankish state, defeated the Saxons and occupied Anjou. The ruler of the salic francs was from 457 to 481. He died at about the age of 40.
The first Christian ruler
His successor was Clovis I (466-511), the most talented and powerful king of the Merovingian dynasty. He ruled the country from 481 to 511 years. It is he who is the creator and the first ruler of the state of the Franks. He, having concluded a close alliance with the Pope, transformed the Frankish state, which became the most powerful on the wreckage of the Roman Empire, into a stronghold of Catholicism. With him, the country became not only powerful, but also Christian. In 496, annihilating the allemen (the ancient Germanic tribe, from the German language is translated as "all people"), Clovis takes Catholicism. He was considered the embodiment of a combination of mind and cruelty, valor and cunning. Thanks to these qualities, the state of the Franks has expanded its territory several times. His motto was the slogan: "The end justifies the means". But after his death, a powerful power disintegrated.
Ups and downs
Throughout its existence from the 5th to the 9th century, Francia (the first mention refers to the 3rd century) knew the ups and downs, had great rulers and their mediocre followers. The first ruler of the state of the Franks and his last king - Clovis I and Charlemagne - were significant personalities in both French and world history. To the merits of the first king, except for a significant expansion of the territory and the adoption of the Christian religion, is the fact that he founded his residence in Paris and, greatly strengthening the royal power, made it hereditary. The first ruler of the Frankish state, Clovis I, contributed to the writing of "Salic Truth", which is one of the earliest "Barbaric Truths". "Pravda" is a collection of unwritten norms and customs that the state authorities sanctioned. That is, it was an attempt to create a judicial and administrative apparatus. The merits of this king are great in many areas. But the question of who was the Baptist of France, there is a clear answer: the first ruler of the state of the Franks, Clovis I.
State structure
But still in the state of the Franks during the Early Middle Ages there was a weak centralization of power. In fact, the territorial division was dominated by the communal division. The lowest, but prominent units - "hundreds", were combined into pagas, or districts, which were the altered Roman communities. They were no longer patrimonial, but were neighborly, or territorial (according to Engels - "brands"). Communities, in turn, were united in counties, the totality of which was an early Frankish state. The rulers of the regions of the Frankish state - the graphs - had no common power, they had only the local possessions of the king. The laws, their implementation, tax collections were administered by the communities. But under Clovis the country is gradually being governed by the royal court.
Strengthening of royal power
With the expansion of the state and the strengthening of the power of the supreme ruler throughout its territory, popular assemblies lose their significance. The king becomes also the supreme judge. In his spare time from war, he traveled around the country to solve serious crimes. Minor violations continued to be brought to the court of the communities. Over time, the governors of the king in the provinces - graphs, strengthened their power and became real rulers exercising general government. The first ruler of the Frankish state was crowned in 481 in the cathedral of the city of Reims. There is a legend of God chosen by Clovis. On the eve of the coronation the dove brought from heaven a vial full of oil, for anointing the king for the kingdom. In the same cathedral five years later, in 486, Clovis I was baptized.