Merovingian Kingdom

Merovingian Kingdom was a state in France and the Low Countries (Europe) that lasted from 481 to 751 CE, about 270 years. Its people spoke Germanic languages (Gothic, Frankish, English, German, Dutch, Norse).

Clovis united the Franks, became a Catholic and conquered most of Gaul. Real power passed to the mayors of the palace, and Pepin the Short deposed the last Merovingian king in 751.

See Merovingian Kingdom on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

481 to 751 CE

Duration

270 years

Type

State

Region

France and the Low Countries, Europe

Language family

Germanic

Capital

Paris, Soissons, Metz

Came from

• Roman Gaul 50 BCE to 486 CE
• Frankish tribes c. 250 to 481 CE
• Domain of Soissons 457 to 486 CE

Became

• Carolingian Empire 751 to 843 CE

Events in Europe during its time

• 541 Plague of Justinian
• 732 Battle of Tours

Neighbours in Europe

• Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE
• Carolingian Empire 751 to 843 CE
• Roman Gaul 50 BCE to 486 CE
• Kingdom of Wessex c. 519 to 927 CE
• Kingdom of Mercia c. 527 to 918 CE
• First Bulgarian Empire 681 to 1018 CE
• Khazar Khaganate c. 650 to 969 CE
• Avar Khaganate c. 567 to 822 CE
• Lombard Kingdom 568 to 774 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
• Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
• Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE, North and West Africa
• Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
• Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America
• Teotihuacan c. 100 BCE to 550 CE, Mesoamerica and Caribbean
• Tiwanaku c. 400 to 1000 CE, South America
• Abbasid Caliphate 750 to 1258 CE, Middle East
• Sasanian Empire 224 to 651 CE, Middle East
• Tang dynasty 618 to 907 CE, East Asia

Questions