General Notes

REFN: 7726
[2344647.ged]
[Sergent.ged]
ema p 307 "As for the Franks, the chronicle associates them with Duke
Francio, and Francio with Priam and those who fled from Troy, a
connection developed in the eighth-century Book of the History of the
Franks.  The sixth-century historian Gregory of Tours was far more sober
and less inclined to inventiveness.  He reports Sulpicius Alexander's
references to the Franks' leaders as "dukes" and "regales" as well as
"kings," regretting Sulpicius's failure to give their names.  Gregory
notes that reliable sources designated Theudemer and CLODIO as kings of
the Franks, and he mentions MaineROVEUS, father of CHILDERIC, who was
wais by some to be descended from CLODIO; . . ."[a23551.ged]
Frankish King of Cologne of the Merovingian Family, 420, kinsman of
Clovis I,
the Great, King of the Salic Franks.
Start of the Family Tree of Charlemagne.[Direct Linage1.FTW]
Note: Clodio Crinitus, who compelled his subjects to wear long hair and
beards in token of liberty from the Romans, died 445 or 447
He was King of Westphalia & the West Franks. He conquered Artois,
Cambray, Tournay, and others.
The Franks" article names Clodion's son Merovaeus but from our primary
source we prefer Merovech and from the same sources we prefer the
spelling Chlodovech for the numerous Clovis individuals in "The Franks".
Our spelling preferences are included as primary spellings in this
database and so added within brackets in the following manuscript.
1. "The Franks" by Godefroi Kurth, Transcribed by Michael C. Tinkler,
from "The Catholic Encyclopedia", Volume VI, Copyright © 1909 by Robert
Appleton Company, Online Edition Copyright © 1999 by Kevin Knight, Nihil
Obstat, September 1, 1909. Remy Lafort, Censor Imprimatur. +John M.
Farley, Archbishop of New York:
The Franks were a confederation formed in Western Germany of a certain
number of ancient barbarian tribes who occupied the right shore of the
Rhine from Mainz to the sea. Their name is first mentioned by Roman
historians in connection with a battle fought against this people about
the year 241. In the third century some of them crossed the Rhine and
settled in Belgic Gaul on the banks of the Meuse and the Scheldt, and the
Romans had endeavoured to expel them from the territory. Constantius
Chlorus and his descendants continued the struggle, and, although Julian
the Apostate inflicted a serious defeat on them in 359, he did not
succeed in exterminating them, and eventually Rome was satisfied to make
them her more or less faithful allies. After their overthrow by Julian
the Apostate, the Franks of Belgium, becoming peaceful settlers, appear
to have given the empire no further trouble, satisfied with having found
shelter and sustenance on Roman soil. They even espoused Rome's cause
during the great invasion of 406, but were overpowered by the ruthless
hordes who devastated Belgium and overran Gaul and a part of Italy and
Spain. Thenceforth the Belgian provinces ceased to be under the control
of Rome and passed under the rule of the Franks.
When they first attracted attention in history the Franks were
established in the northern part of Belgic Gaul, in the districts where
their Germanic dialect is still spoken. Gregory of Tours tells us that
their chief town was Dispargum, which is perhaps Tongres and that they
were under a family of kings distinguished by their long hair, which they
allowed to flow over their shoulders, while the other Frankish warriors
had the back of the head shaved. This family was known as the
Merovingians, from the name of one of its members, to whom national
tradition had ascribed a sea-god as ancestor. Clodion, the first king of
this dynasty known to history, began his series of conquests in Northern
Gaul about the year 430. He penetrated as far as Artois, but was driven
back by Aetius, who seems to have succeeded in keeping him on friendly