Methodology-Lineage
of the Merovingian and Carolingian Dynasties
By: Tracy Ashley
Crocker
(Researched and Compiled 2004 Revised 2019)
An essential fact one must
observe pertaining to the Merovingians and Carolingians when performing and evaluating genealogy during
the Medieval period is that
the information is written
by and for historians, not genealogists. The work is NOT based on genealogical standards
using primary documentation
but relies more on historical events and dates. The information has been compiled by eminent, established
researchers based on those facts. Their findings often come under criticism and
interpretations of other well-meaning experts.
Often a genealogical theory of a lineage is questioned by such
individuals; however, it does not make their assertions any more correct than
the original findings, as again, there is little or no primary documentation to
prove one theory over another. Despite
the lack of adequate documentation, most of those experts, such as Siegfried
Rösch, Christian Settipani, Detlev
Schwennicke, Eduard Garnier, Frederick Weis,
Roderic Stuart and Ian Wood, to name just a few, have utilized what facts and
information were available for this time-period to create family lineages. Schwennicke’s Europäische (European)
Stammtafeln, which is a German series of
twenty-nine books that contain sets of genealogical tables of the most
influential families of Medieval European history, is a prime example. It is a
standard reference work for those researching medieval, imperial, royal and noble
families of Europe.
When studying the relevant Medieval time-period surrounding the
Carolingians and the Merovingians, one notes that there are substantial
interrelationships within these two dynasties for several centuries. The families constantly intermarried, and
the family ties are like one gigantic spider
web. One also must keep in
mind that for the most part, the Merovingian Kings had multiple wives and
concubines and in many cases were polygamists. Many of the children that were
born were not recorded. Much of the
research was done out of a concern
for history, but not employing the genealogical standards we use today. Younger
children, deceased children, and women, in general, were often ignored,
making it difficult to create a documented genealogy that would be 100%
accurate.
In developing the four family lineages, I have used and cited the works
of the most eminently known researchers, as previously mentioned, to compile what I consider
the most acceptable lineage scenarios
from the Carolingians to the
Merovingian Kings. There will be
those who may find fault with the lineages; however, I believe that by using
these references, and due to lack of current pure documentation, the analysis
of these lineages makes them most probable.
The most important and relevant fact in all of this is that all
historians agree on the existence of the Merovingian Dynasty. Discovery of the tomb of Childeric I (the
father of Clovis) in 1653 has provided
significant relics. Whether Mérovée (Merovech,
Meroveus) was
legendary or was the actual person
who founded the dynasty is open to discussion. While legend has been given a
supernatural origin as well, facts prove
that it lasted from 450 to
751, overlapping with the Carolingians from 751 to 987.
These facts have been documented by many noted and prominent historians.
Finally, I emphasize that the
Order of the Merovingian Dynasty was formed to maintain a forum to educate both its members and the population at large by
identifying and honoring the memory of ancestors who were the "Kings of
the Merovingian Dynasty.” The Order explores the living descendants through
activities revolving around
matters of common
historical and genealogical interest and by collecting and preserving
records, documents, and relics pertaining to the history and genealogy of the
"Merovingian Kings."
Charlemagne to Mérovée:
Born
at: on: ca. 720
Died
at: on: 12 Jun 783
Married on: ca. 740
to: Pippin III "The Short", Mayor of the Palace
of Austrasia, King of the Franks
Born
at: Austrasia on: 715
Died at: St. Denis, France on: 24 Sep 768
Married at:
"Europäische Stammtafeln" the
third series, Edited by Detlev Schwennicke, Publisher
By J.A. Stargardt, New Edition 1, 1980, Tafel 2, The Carolingians; Weis,
Frederick Lewis, "Ancestral Roots of Certain American Colonists…", Baltimore,
MD, GPC, Eighth Edition 204, 50/12; Rösch, Siegfried, "Caroli Magni
Progenies", Neustadt an Der Aisch, Germany, Verlag&Co, 1977, Part I, p.53; Stuart, Roderick W."Royalty for Commoners" Fourth Edition, p. 95, Line 171-42, p.
116, 214-42; http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/FRANKSMaiordomi.htm
The Said Bertha "Broadfoot" of Laon, Aisne, France was the child of:
3.
Charibert (Cambert, Caribert), Count of Laon
Born
at: on:
Died
at: on: liv 720-747
Married on:
to: Bisele (Bretrade)
Born
at: on:
Died at: on:
Married at:
"Europäische Stammtafeln" the
third series, Edited by Detlev Schwennicke, Publisher
By J.A. Stargardt, New Edition 1, 1980, Tafel , The
Carolingians; AR 50/12 and 240A/11; Stuart
op.cit. p. 116, Line214/43; http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/FRANKSMaiordomi.htm
The Said Charibert (Cambert, Caribert), Count of Laon was the child of:
4.
Bertrada,
Born
at: on:
Died
at: on:
Married on:
to:
Born
at: on:
Died at: on:
Married at:
AR 240A/10; Stuart, op. cit., p. 116, Line 214-44; Settipani,
Christian, Les Ancêtres de Charlemagne, Paris, 1989
The Said Bertrada, a Merovingian princess, founded the abbey of Prun720 was the child of:
5.
Theoderic(Theuderic)King In the whole Frankish Kingdom
675
Born
at: on: 654
Died
at: on: 691
Married on:
to: Chrodochild, Queen Regent, 690/691
Born
at: on: 650
Died at: on: 699
Married at:
"Europäische Stammtafeln" the
third series, Edited by Detlev Schwennicke, Publisher
By J.A. Stargardt, New Edition 1, 1980, Tafel 1, The
Merovingians; AR 240A/9; Stuart, op. cit., p.
116, Line 214-45; Wood, Ian. "The Merovingian Kingdoms, 450-751."
Harlow, Eng., Longman,Pearson Education, 1994. pp. 349,356, 362
The Said Theoderic(Theuderic)349,362, etc. III, King of Burgundy, 670 and the Franks, 690/691 was the child of:
6.
Clovis II , King of Neustria and Burgundy639-656/57
Born
at: on: 634
Died
at: on: Oct or Nov 657
Married on: ca. 649
to: Balthilde, Queen of Neustria and Burgundy
Born
at: Anglia (sold into
slavery in the French royal court on: ca. 626/27
Died at: on: 30 Jan 680
Married at:
"Europäische Stammtafeln" the
third series, Edited by Detlev Schwennicke, Publisher
By J.A. Stargardt, New Edition 1, 1980, Tafel 1, The
Merovingians; AR 240A/8; Wood, op. cit., pp.
349, 352,357 ; http://pascale.olivaux.free.fr/Histoire/Pages/merovingien.htm;
http://www.kessler-web.co.uk/History/KingListsEurope/FranceFranks.htm;
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?tocId=9024459
The Said Clovis II , King of Neustria and Burgundy639-656/57 was the child of:
7.
Dagobert I, King of Austrasia, 622-628; King of Franks
628-638
Born
at: on: 602 or 604
Died
at: on: 639
Married on: 2nd
to: Nantechild, a Saxon, Queen Mother, 639
Born
at: on: 610
Died at: on: 642
Married at:
"Europäische Stammtafeln" the
third series, Edited by Detlev Schwennicke, Publisher
By J.A. Stargardt, New Edition 1, 1980, Tafel 1, The
Merovingians; AR 240A/7; Stuart, op. cit., p.
162, Line 303 (47); Wood, op. cit., pp. 156, 349, 357, 360
The Said Dagobert I, King of Austrasia, 622-628; King of Franks 628-638 was the child of:
8.
Clothaire(Chlothar) II, King of Neustria 584; King of
Franks 613-628
Born
at: on: 584
Died
at: on: 629
Married on:
to: 1st.
Haldetrude 2nd. Berthertrude, 3rd
Sichilda
Born
at: on:
Died at: on: (1st wife) 604
Married at:
"Europäische Stammtafeln" the
third series, Edited by Detlev Schwennicke, Publisher
By J.A. Stargardt, New Edition 1, 1980, Tafel 1, The Merovingians;AR 240/A/6; Stuart, op. cit, p. 162, Line 303 (48);
Wood, op. cit., pp. 348,355
The Said Clothaire(Chlothar) II, King of Neustria 584; King of Franks 613-628 was the child of:
9.
Chilperic I, King of Neustria 539-584
Born
at: on:
Died
at: on: 584
Married on:
to: 3rd
Fredegunde ("One of the most bloodthirsty
women in history")
Born
at: on: 543
Died at: on: 596/7
Married at:
"Europäische Stammtafeln" the
third series, Edited by Detlev Schwennicke, Publisher
By J.A. Stargardt, New Edition 1, 1980, Tafel 1, The
Merovingians; AR 240A/5; Stuart, op. cit., p.
162, Line 303 (49); Wood, op. cit, pp.345, 348, 354,358
The Said Chilperic I, King of Neustria 539-584 was the child of:
10.
Clothaire( Chlothar) I , King of Soissons 511; King of
Orleans 524; King of Frnace 558-561
Born
at: on: 500
Died
at: on: 561
Married on: 4th
to: Arnegonde
Born
at: on: 515
Died at: on: 573
Married at:
"Europäische Stammtafeln" the
third series, Edited by Detlev Schwennicke, Publisher
By J.A. Stargardt, New Edition 1, 1980, Tafel 1, The Merovingians;AR 240A/4; Stuart, op. cit., p. 162, Line 303 (50); Wood, op. cit., pp.344,351,355
The Said Clothaire( Chlothar) I , King of Soissons 511; King of Orleans 524; King of Frnace 558-561 was the child of:
11.
Clovis I "the Great", King of Salic Franks,
481-511; King of France
Born
at: on: 466
Died
at: Paris on: 27 Nov 511
Married on: 492
to: St. Saint Saint Clothilda (Chlothild) of Burgundy,
dau. of Chilperic II, King of Burgundy, Queen of the Franks, 492/3-544 (dau of
Chilperic, Kinjg of Burgandy
Born
at: on: 474
Died at: on: 544/5
Married at:
"Europäische Stammtafeln" the
third series, Edited by Detlev Schwennicke, Publisher
By J.A. Stargardt, New Edition 1, 1980, Tafel 1, The Merovingians;AR 240/A; Stuart, op. cit., p. 162, Line 303(51), p. 188
Line 349 (51); Wood, op. cit., pp.41-54,344,356,-357.
The Said Clovis I "the Great", King of Salic Franks, 481-511; King of France was the child of:
12.
Childeric I, King of Franks 458-481
Born
at: on: ca. 436
Died
at: on: 481
Married on:
to: Basina, former wife of Bisinus, King of Thuringia
Born
at: on:
Died at: on:
Married at:
"Europäische Stammtafeln" the
third series, Edited by Detlev Schwennicke, Publisher
By J.A. Stargardt, New Edition 1, 1980, Tafel 1, The
Merovingians; Stuart, op. cit., p. 162 , Line
303 (52); Wood, op. cit., pp.38-41
The Said Childeric I, King of Franks 458-481 was the child of:
13.
Mérovée (Merovech), governed the Salic Franks 448-457
(defeated Attila "the Hun"451
Born
at: on:
Died
at: on:
Married on:
to:
Born
at: on:
Died at: on:
Married at:
Europäische Stammtafeln" the
third series, Edited by Detlev Schwennicke, Publisher
By J.A. Stargardt, New Edition 1, 1980, Tafel 1, The Merovingians;Stuart, op. cit, p.162, Line 303 (53); Wood, op. cit,
pp.36-38,40,111; Tableaux généalogiques des souverains de la France et de ses
grands feudataires. by Edouard Garnier. Publication date 1863