Doge King Clovis I

In an era of brutality, Clovis was especially ruthless. Still, he was also pragmatic, a consummate politician, religiously tolerant and a warlord. He toppled the rump state of the Western Roman Empire, uniting the Frankish tribes to become the first King of the Franks. Clovis was born a pagan and converted to Christianity, perhaps twice. He is the founder of the Merovingian dynasty that ruled for the next two hundred years. He conquered along the Rhine and the Seine Rivers, including Paris, then he took Aquitaine. Rather than fight Burgundy, he married its Princess Royal, who happened to be Catholic. Shortly before he died, he called a synod of bishops to meet in Orleans to forge links be...View all