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:

  1. The Said Charlemagne (Charles I) Emperor was the child of:
  2. Bertha "Broadfoot" of Laon, Aisne, France

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:      

 

Proofs:

"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:      

 

Proofs:

"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:      

 

Proofs:

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:      

 

Proofs:

"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:      

 

Proofs:

"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:      

 

Proofs:

"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:      

 

Proofs:

"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:      

 

Proofs:

"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:      

 

Proofs:

"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:      

 

Proofs:

"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:      

 

Proofs:

"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:      

 

Proofs:

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