The name of the dynasty of Mérovingiens would come from Mérovée, grandfather supposed of Clovis. Clovis becomes king of the Francs into 481 with died of his Childéric father: he is only 15 years old but this age is not shocking since the law fixed the nubility at 14 years for

boys and that the average age was then 20 years!
Clovis bore the name germano-Latin Chlodowich or Chlodovechus, which means " famous for its engagements ". This name, derived with the wire from the centuries Lodovicus, Lodoïs and finally Louis: the first name will keep a royal destiny during more than 1000 years, of the son of Charlemagne (Louis Débonnaire -814-840) to Louis-Philippe, last king of the French (1830-1848). Like his father, it cumulates a military authority (head of the Francs) and civil (administrator of Belgium Second).
Like his father, it cumulates a military authority (head of the Francs) and civil (administrator of Belgium Second).
The Bishop of Reims Saint Remi maintains with him the regular contacts which will encourage it to respect the church and to deal with all the citizens located on his territory: a strange symbiosis and a deep respect are born in contact with this pagan king and of the catholic bishop. A letter written by Saint Remi and addressed to Clovis came besides to us and is very revealing as for the role of consulting ensured by the church.
It is in this context and following the encouragement of St Remi that right before his advent, Clovis undertakes " the fusion " of the Francs with the Gallo-Roman ones while giving to all same the rights and duties.
In 486, the franque army of Clovis crushes that of the General romainde Syagrius and plunders the conquered area: it is in this context that this unrolls the famous episode of the Mud of Soissons. Alamans with Tolbiac (496) demolished, then Burgondes (500); completing to place Gaule almost whole under its authority, it gained over the king Visigoth Alaric II the battle of Vouillé (507).

Its conversion with Christianity. December 25 498, Clovis is baptized in Rheims (it was baptized by saint Remi, bishop of Rheims), with 3000 francs warriors, in the catholic religion. Thanks to this collective baptism, the Francs take the advantage on the other barbarians in the conquest of Gaule Roman and made of him the first Roman catholic barbarian king.