Merovech (French: Mérovée, Merowig; Latin: Meroveus; c. 411 – 458) is the semi-legendary founder of the Merovingian dynasty of the Salian Franks (although either Childeric I, his supposed son, or Clovis I, his supposed grandson, can also be considered the founder), which later became the dominant Frankish tribe. He is proposed to be one of several barbarian warlords and kings that joined forces with the Roman general Aetius against the Huns under Attila at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains in Gaul.

The family of Childeric and Clovis, the first Frankish large-scale royal dynasty called themselves Merovingians ("descendants of Meroveus") after him, and this was known to historians in the following centuries, but no more contemporary evidence exists. The most important such written source, Gregory of Tours, recorded that Merovech was said to be descended from Chlodio, a roughly contemporary Frankish warlord who pushed from the Silva Carbonaria in modern central Belgium as far south as the Somme, north of Paris in modern-day France.

Wikipedia

KINGS of the FRANKS [451/57]-751 (MEROVINGIANS) DESCENT LINE ON CAWLEY'S MEDLANDS

MEROVECH (-[451/57]). It is not known whether Merovech, after whom the dynasty was named, was a purely mythical figure or if there is some factual basis for his existence. If he did exist, his precise ancestry is not known. Gregory of Tours writes that "some say that Merovech, the father of Childeric, was descended from Chlodio"[14] but this is the only reference he makes to Merovech in his work. The early 8th century Liber Historiæ Francorum names "Merovechus de genere eius" as successor to Chlodio, commenting that he gave his name to the dynasty[15]. Fredegar asserts, colourfully, that Merovech was conceived when Chlodio's wife went swimming and encountered a Quinotaur[16]. It is possible that Merovech succeeded Chlodio as leader of the Franks in Roman Gaul. Assuming that he did enjoy some sort of leadership role over some or all of the Frankish tribes in Gaul, it seems inappropriate to attribute the title "king" to Merovech. In the first place, it is likely that his leadership was localised. In addition, Roman domination continued until the overthrow in 476 of the last Roman Emperor in the West, Romulus Augustulus, and no documentary evidence has so far been found which suggests that there was a sub-level of Frankish administration under the Roman emperor, despite the fact that imperial authority was in decline during the later years.] MEDLANDS

m ---. The name of Merovech's wife is not known. Merovech is recorded as having one child:

1. CHILDERICH (-Tournai [481/82], bur Tournai). Gregory of Tours records that Merovech was the father of Childerich[17]. The Liber Historiæ Francorum names "Merovechus…filium…Childerico"[18]. He succeeded in [451/57] as leader of the Franks in Roman Gaul, and subsequently adopted the title CHILDERICH I King of the Franks, confirmed by his undated seal which bears the title "Childerici Regiz"[19]. Gregory of Tours records that King Childerich's "private life was one long debauch" and that he was forced into exile in Thuringia by his subjects who chose as his replacement the Roman General Ægidius, named magister militum per Gallias in [456/57] and who ruled for 8 years[20]. Gregory of Tours records Childerich's restoration as king in Gaul, followed by his alliance with "Odovacar…[and] his Saxons" (indicating that this is unlikely to refer to the Ostrogoth leader in Italy), and their joint subjugation of the Alamans[21]. A letter from Remigius Bishop of Reims to Childerich's son Clovis congratulates the latter on taking over his father's position in "Belgica Secunda"[22], implying that Childerich's authority was limited to the north-east part of Gaul. The Liber Historiæ Francorum records that "Childericus rex" reigned for 24 years[23]. MEDLANDS

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Merovech

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Merovech (Latin: Meroveus or Merovius; ) is the legendary founder of the Merovingian dynasty of the Salian Franks, that later became the dominant Frankish tribe. The name is a latinization of a form close to Old High German proper name Marwig, lit. "famed fight"[1] (cf. māri "famous" + wīg "fight").

There is little information about him in the later histories of the Franks. Gregory of Tours only names him once as the father of Childeric I while putting doubt on his descent from Clodio.[2] Many admit today that this formulation finds its explanation in a legend reported by Fredegar.[3] The Chronicle of Fredegar interpolated on this reference by Gregory by adding Merovech was the son of the queen, Clodio's wife; but his father was a sea-god, bistea Neptuni.[4] No other historical evidence exists that Merovech ever lived. Some researchers have noted that Merovech, the Frankish chieftain, may have been the namesake of a certain god or demigod honored by the Franks prior to their conversion to Christianity. It has been suggested Merovech refers to or is reminiscent to the Dutch river Merwede,[5] nowadays part of the Rhine-Meus-Scheldt delta but historically a main subsidiary of the Rhine, in the neighborhood of which the Salian Franks once dwelled according to Roman historians. Another theory[6] considers this legend to be the creation of a mythological past needed to back up the fast-rising Frankish rule in Western Europe.

According to another legend, Merovech was conceived when Pharamond's wife encountered a Quinotaur, a sea monster which could change shapes while swimming. Though never stated, it is implied that she was impregnated by it. This legend was related by Fredegar in the seventh century, and may have been known earlier. The legend is probably a back-formation or folk etymology used to explain the Salian Franks' origin as a sea coast dwelling people, and based on the name itself. The "Mero-" or "Mer-" element in the name suggests a sea or ocean (see Old English "mere," Latin "mare," or even the Modern English word "mermaid," etc.). The "Salian" in "Salian Franks" may be a reference to salt, a reminder of their pre-migration home on the shores of the North Sea (alternatively, it may refer to the Isala or IJssel river behind which their homeland, the Salland, may have been located). The legend could also be explained in a much easier way. The sea monster could have been a foreign conqueror, coming from the sea, taking the dead king's(Chlodio or Pharamonds) wife to legitimise his rule.

The first Frankish royal dynasty called themselves Merovingians in his honor.

Merovech may have been the father of Childeric I who may have succeeded him.

Reference in popular culture

The legend about Merovech's conception was adapted in 1982 by authors Henry Lincoln and Richard Leigh in their book Holy Blood Holy Grail, as the seed of a new idea. They hypothesized that this "descended from a fish" legend was actually referring to the concept that the Merovingian line had married into the bloodline of Jesus Christ, since the symbol for early Christians had also been a fish. This theory, with no other basis than Lincoln and Leigh's concoction, was further popularized in 2003 via Dan Brown's bestselling novel, The Da Vinci Code.[7][8]

There is also a fictional character called The Merovingian in the movies The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions (portrayed by Lambert Wilson). The character is modeled as an ancient and powerful leader of exiles. He also has extensive knowledge of the inner workings of the universe and uses this knowledge to support his decadent lifestyle. The Merovingian is very much a mystical king type character.

Notes

^ Green, D.H. Language and History in the Early Germanic World. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1998.

^ Gregory of Tours - The History of the Franks, II.9

^ Christian SETTIPANI - Addenda to Les Ancêtres de Charlemagne, 1990 [1]

^ Pseudo-Fredegar, Hist. III, 9

^ Emil Rückert: Oberon von Mons und die Pipine von Nivella; Weidmann'sche Buchhandlung, Leipzig, Germany, 1836

^ see M. Todd's, "The early Germans"

^ Behind the Da Vinci Code, 2006, History Channel documentary about Henry Lincoln

^ Holy Blood Holy Grail, Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, Henry Lincoln, 1982

References

Wood, Ian. The Merovingian Kingdoms 450-751. London: Longman Group, 1994.

Todd, M. The early Germans

Behind the Da Vinci Code, 2006, History Channel documentary about Henry Lincoln

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Meroveo, rey de los francos (desde 448 a 457). Dio su nombre a la dinastía Merovingia.

Una leyenda cuenta que nació de la unión de su madre, esposa de Clodión "el Cabelludo", y de un monstruo marino, por lo que los sucesores del trono de Francia vendrían siempre del mar.

Tercer rey de Francia, el nacimiento de este príncipe es un problema. Unos dicen que es hijo de Clodión. Otros pretenden que sólo era de la familia. De cualquier forma, es seguro que un príncipe con este nombre reinó sobre los francos y que tuvo como competidor al trono a un hijo de Clodión. Fue por su nombre por lo que los reyes de la primera dinastía franca fueran llamados Merovingios. La mayoría de los historiadores creen que Meroveo estuvo con el ejército romano en la sangrienta batalla en la que Aecio vence a Atila en la llanura de los Campos Cataláunicos (Châlon-en-Champagne). Este príncipe murió después de diez años de reinado. La historia no habla ni del número de hijos que tuvo ni del nombre de la reina, madre de Childerico I, su hijo y sucesor. (Texto de Wikipedia).-

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http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merovech

Merovech was hoogst waarschijnlijk koning van de Salische Franken (447-458) na Chlodio. Hij is de naamgever van de zogenaamde Merovingen, onder welke het Frankische rijk tot bloei kwam.

Over Merovech zelf is weinig bekend, en hij geldt daarom als een half-mythische figuur. Hij was waarschijnlijk de zoon van Chlodio. Volgens de legende werd hij verwekt toen zijn moeder bij het baden een zeemonster tegenkwam. Vandaar de uitspraak dat iemand van (Europese) adel "blauw bloed" zou hebben, zoals de zeewezens.

Omstreeks 450 verkeerden de Salische Franken op goede voet met de Romeinse Generaal Aetius. Als bondgenoten hebben zij, en daarmee ook vermoedelijk Merovech in 451 meegestreden aan de zijde van Aetius tegen de Hunnen. Merovech werd opgevolgd door zijn zoon Childerik I.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merovech

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ID: I5413Me58a

Name: Merovech Franks,king-of-the

Given Name: Merovech

Surname: Franks,king-of-the

Sex: M

Death: 0458A

Note:

VERSIONS OF HIS NAME:

- Merobeo [O'Hart1923] [wPhilip5]

- Merovech | Merovich [EB1986:"Merovingian] dynasty"

- Merovee "the Young" [wDKBingham]

- Merovech #I "the Young" [wEnf-Bry]

- Merovaeus [wJMorin] [wRJones]

- Merevee ?[wDonW] ?[wWinch] ?[wYoung]

- Meroveus [Gardner1996] [wUE]

-

OTHER RELATIONSHIPS:

- His mother was supposedly Basina of the Thuringians [390A-450A].

-

TITLES:

- king of Franks

- king of the Franks

- king of Franconia

-

SOURCES:

- EB1986 "Merovech" | "Merovingian dynasty"

- O'Hart1923 "The Lineal Descent of King Philip V., of Spain":p#42-3

- Gardner1996

- wDKBingham

- wEnf-Bry

- wJMorin

-

wPhilip5

- wRJones

- wWinch

- wYoung

-

wCharlemagne

-

PKD RUO-5413Me58a 2001De02

Copyright (c) 2009 Paul K Davis [paulkdavis@earthlink.net] Fremont CA

Father: Clodius "Long Hair" - b: in (Westphalia, Germany)

Marriage 1 Verica -

Children

-1. Childeric Merovingian , I b: 0437A

Forrás / Source:

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=pkd&id=I5...

Merovech "The Young KIng" of Salic Franks (c.413 - 458)

(No Name)

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Photo:

Silvered brass mounting from 1867 depicting Merovech victorious in battle, by Emmanuel Frémiet.

Merovech (Latin: Meroveus or Merovius; French: Mérovée; German: Merowig) is the legendary founder of the Merovingian dynasty of the Salian Franks, which later became the dominant Frankish tribe.

He allegedly lived in the first half of the fifth century. His name is a Latinization of a form close to the Old High German given name Marwig, lit. "famed fight" (cf. māri "famous" + wīg "fight").[1] The first Frankish royal dynasty called themselves Merovingians ("descendants of Meroveus") after him.

There is little information about him in the later histories of the Franks. Gregory of Tours only names him once as the father of Childeric I while putting doubt on his descent from Clodio.

Many admit today that this formulation finds its explanation in a legend reported by Fredegar.[3] The Chronicle of Fredegar interpolated on this reference by Gregory by adding Merovech was the son of the queen, Clodio's wife; but his father was a sea-god, bistea Neptuni.

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Merovech (Latin: Meroveus or Merovius; French: Mérovée; German: Merowig) is the legendary founder of the Merovingian dynasty of the Salian Franks, which later became the dominant Frankish tribe. He allegedly lived in the first half of the fifth century. His name is a Latinization of a form close to the Old High German given name Marwig, lit. "famed fight" (cf. māri "famous" + wīg "fight").[1] The first Frankish royal dynasty called themselves Merovingians ("descendants of Meroveus") after him.

There is little information about him in the later histories of the Franks. Gregory of Tours only names him once as the father of Childeric I while putting doubt on his descent from Clodio.[2] Many admit today that this formulation finds its explanation in a legend reported by Fredegar.[3] The Chronicle of Fredegar interpolated on this reference by Gregory by adding Merovech was the son of the queen, Clodio's wife; but his father was a sea-god, bistea Neptuni.[4] No other historical evidence exists that Merovech ever lived. Some researchers have noted that Merovech, the Frankish chieftain, may have been the namesake of a certain god or demigod honored by the Franks prior to their conversion to Christianity. It has been suggested Merovech refers to or is reminiscent to the Dutch river Merwede,[5] nowadays part of the Rhine-Meus-Scheldt delta but historically a main subsidiary of the Rhine, in the neighborhood of which the Salian Franks once dwelled according to Roman historians. Another theory[6] considers this legend to be the creation of a mythological past needed to back up the fast-rising Frankish rule in Western Europe.

According to another legend, Merovech was conceived when Pharamond's wife encountered a Quinotaur, a sea monster which could change shapes while swimming. Though never stated, it is implied that she was impregnated by it. This legend was related by Fredegar in the seventh century, and may have been known earlier. The legend is probably a back-formation or folk etymology used to explain the Salian Franks' origin as a sea coast dwelling people, and based on the name itself. The "Mero-" or "Mer-" element in the name suggests a sea or ocean (see Old English "mere," Latin "mare," or even the Modern English word "mermaid," etc.). The "Salian" in "Salian Franks" may be a reference to salt, a reminder of their pre-migration home on the shores of the North Sea (alternatively, it may refer to the Isala or IJssel river behind which their homeland, the Salland, may have been located). The legend could also be explained in a much easier way. The sea monster could have been a foreign conqueror, coming from the sea, taking the dead king's (Chlodio or Pharamond) wife to legitimise his rule.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merovech

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Meroveo o Mérovée, rey de los francos (desde 448 a 457). Dio su nombre a la dinastía Merovingia.

Una leyenda cuenta que nació de la unión de su padre Clodion el Cabelludo y de un monstruo marino, por lo que los sucesores del trono de Francia vendrían siempre del mar.

Tercer rey de Francia, el nacimiento de este príncipe es un problema. Unos dicen que es hijo de Clodion. Otros pretenden que solo era de la familia. De cualquier forma, es seguro que un príncipe con este nombre reinó sobre los francos y que tuvo como competidor al trono a un hijo de Clodion. Fue por su nombre por lo que los reyes de la primera raza (Dinastía) fueron llamados Merovingios. La mayoría de los historiadores creen que Meroveo estuvo con el ejército romano en la sangrienta batalla en la que Aecio vence a Atila en la llanura de los Campos Cataláunicos (Châlon-en-Champagne). Este príncipe murió después de diez años de reinado. La historia no habla ni del número de hijos que tuvo ni del nombre de la reina, madre de Childerico I, su hijo y sucesor.

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meroveo

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ID: I6529

Name: Merovee Merovingian

Given Name: Merovee

Surname: Merovingian

Suffix: King of the Franks

Sex: M

_UID: 5C0A2AFA5118D811BE490080C8C142CCFA53

Change Date: 26 Jun 2005

Birth: ABT 415 in France

Death: 457

Father: Clodius (The Long-Haired) Merovingian b: ABT 395 in Westfalen, Germany

Mother: Basina of Thuringia b: ABT 398

Marriage 1 Verica of Sweden b: ABT 419 in Westfalen, Germany

Married:

Children

Childeric I Merovingian b: 436 in Westfalen, Germany

Forrás / Source:

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jdp-fam&i...

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King Merovech "the Young" of Franks

Born: 0415

Died: 0458

Governed the Salic Franks

Defeated "Attila the Hun" in 451

Was son or son-in-law of Clodion

Before 430, the Salic Francs traverse the Escaut, and settle north of Gand [Gant] and also into Courtrai. Their chief, Clodion, takes Cambrai in 430. When Clodion died in 448, Merovee would succeed him as chief. Merovee was a Frankish Prince who ruled over the Saliennes [thus, this Merovee is King of the Salic Francs] from 452-458. He was the commander of the Francs in the great Battle of the Catalonic Fields, where he defeated Attila the Hun in 451. It is from his name that the kings of the First Race derived their name. The Huns had steadily increased their domination from humble beginnings off the Caspian sea from Caucase to the Elbe, from Muldavia to Hungary in the later part of the Fourth Century.

During his reign the Empress of the Roman Empire, Galla Placidia, in 423 governed in the name of her 4-year old son, Valentinius III. She put the Gallo-Roman Aetius [who really came from Bulgaria [originally Silistria] in charge of maintaining the Roman authority over Gaule.

Although he was unsuccessful against the Wisigoths, he pushed the Riparian Francs beyond the Rhine. In 440, the Riparians would return and take over Cologne and Treves. In the meantime, the Burgundians settle in what would become Bourgogne and in Savoie. In 443, they are camped around Worms and Mayence under the command of their King, Gonthier. Died: in 458.

"A number of mythical genealoies can take his line back to the 1st C. and link him to the early Kings of Britain. Merovech is widely accepted as historical, and Gregory of Tours wrote that some said his father was Chlodio. But from there up to Boudicca not one generation is attested in a contemporary source, and most are from the sort of late chronicles that tend to be dismissed as fiction."

Merowig (fl. c.450, died c. 458) (Latin: Meroveus or Merovius; German: Merowech; Spanish: Meroveo; French: Mérovée, other spellings include Merovech, Merovich, Merwich) is the legendary founder of the Merovingian Dynasty of Frankish kings. He was ruler over the Salian Franks in the years after 450, but no contemporary record of him exists, and there is little information about him in the later histories of the Franks. Gregory of Tours records him as the possible son of Clodio. He was supposed to have led the Franks in the Battle of Chalons in 451.

According to legend, Merowig was conceived when Clodio's wife encountered a Quinotaur, a sea monster which could change shapes while swimming. Though never stated, it is implied that she was impregnated by it. This legend was related by Fredegar in the seventh century, and may have been known earlier. The legend is probably a back-formation or folk etymology used to explain the Salian Franks' origin as a sea coast dwelling people, and based on the name itself. The "Mero-" or "Mer-" element in the name suggests a sea or ocean (see Old English "mere," Latin "mare," or even the Modern English word "mermaid," etc.). The "Salian" in "Salian Franks" may be a reference to salt, a reminder of their pre-migration home on the shores of the North Sea (alternatively, it may refer to the Isala or Ijssel river behind which their homeland, the Salland, may have been located).

The "-wig/weg/veus" part of the name could have been seen as a reference to a traveller, trail, or conveyance (see German "weg," Latin "via," or even the Modern English word "way"). By this interpretation, "Merowig," "Mérovée," et al. would simply mean "from the sea." A slight variant of this interpretation would follow through the Old High German/Old Saxon word "wiht," (thing or demon"), related to the now-obsolete English word "wight" (meaning a human or human-like creature). Thus, "Merowig" and its spelling variants could easily have been rationalized by Frankish chroniclers as a reference to a sea-creature of some sort, thereby giving rise to the sea-origin legend – whatever the original meaning of the name. Merowig was the father of Childeric I who succeeded him.

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Født av havet

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Merovech (Latin: Meroveus or Merovius; French: Mérovée; German: Merowig) is the legendary founder of the Merovingian dynasty of the Salian Franks, which later became the dominant Frankish tribe. He allegedly lived in the first half of the fifth century. His name is a Latinization of a form close to the Old High German given name Marwig, lit. "famed fight" (cf. māri "famous" + wīg "fight").[1] The first Frankish royal dynasty called themselves Merovingians ("descendants of Meroveus") after him.

There is little information about him in the later histories of the Franks. Gregory of Tours only names him once as the father of Childeric I while putting doubt on his descent from Clodio.[2] Many admit today that this formulation finds its explanation in a legend reported by Fredegar.[3] The Chronicle of Fredegar interpolated on this reference by Gregory by adding Merovech was the son of the queen, Clodio's wife; but his father was a sea-god, bistea Neptuni.[4] No other historical evidence exists that Merovech ever lived. Some researchers have noted that Merovech, the Frankish chieftain, may have been the namesake of a certain god or demigod honored by the Franks prior to their conversion to Christianity. It has been suggested Merovech refers to or is reminiscent to the Dutch river Merwede,[5] nowadays part of the Rhine-Meus-Scheldt delta but historically a main subsidiary of the Rhine, in the neighborhood of which the Salian Franks once dwelled according to Roman historians. Another theory[6] considers this legend to be the creation of a mythological past needed to back up the fast-rising Frankish rule in Western Europe.

According to another legend, Merovech was conceived when Pharamond's wife encountered a Quinotaur, a sea monster which could change shapes while swimming. Though never stated, it is implied that she was impregnated by it. This legend was related by Fredegar in the seventh century, and may have been known earlier. The legend is probably a back-formation or folk etymology used to explain the Salian Franks' origin as a sea coast dwelling people, and based on the name itself. The "Mero-" or "Mer-" element in the name suggests a sea or ocean (see Old English "mere," Latin "mare," or even the Modern English word "mermaid," etc.). The "Salian" in "Salian Franks" may be a reference to salt, a reminder of their pre-migration home on the shores of the North Sea (alternatively, it may refer to the Isala or IJssel river behind which their homeland, the Salland, may have been located). The legend could also be explained in a much easier way. The sea monster could have been a foreign conqueror, coming from the sea, taking the dead king's (Chlodio or Pharamond) wife to legitimise his rule.

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Merovech (Latin: Meroveus or Merovius; French: Mérovée; German: Merowig) is the legendary founder of the Merovingian dynasty of the Salian Franks, which later became the dominant Frankish tribe. He allegedly lived in the first half of the fifth century. His name is a Latinization of a form close to the Old High German given name Marwig, lit. "famed fight" (cf. māri "famous" + wīg "fight").[1] The first Frankish royal dynasty called themselves Merovingians ("descendants of Meroveus") after him.

References

   * Wood, Ian. The Merovingian Kingdoms 450-751. London: Longman Group, 1994.

* Todd, M. The early Germans
* Behind the Da Vinci Code, 2006, History Channel documentary about Henry Lincoln

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http://wespatterson.com/biblical/charlemagne-abraham.asp

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Merovech (Latin: Meroveus or Merovius; French: Mérovée; German: Merowig) is the legendary founder of the Merovingian dynasty of the Salian Franks, which later became the dominant Frankish tribe. He allegedly lived in the first half of the fifth century. His name is a Latinization of a form close to the Old High German given name Marwig, lit. "famed fight" (cf. māri "famous" + wīg "fight").[1] The first Frankish royal dynasty called themselves Merovingians ("descendants of Meroveus") after him.

References

   * Wood, Ian. The Merovingian Kingdoms 450-751. London: Longman Group, 1994.

* Todd, M. The early Germans
* Behind the Da Vinci Code, 2006, History Channel documentary about Henry Lincoln

---

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Merowig is the Germanic form of his name. Others: Merovech (Latin: Meroveus or Merovius; French: Mérovée). He is the legendary founder of the Merovingian dynasty of the Salian Franks, which later became the dominant Frankish tribe. He allegedly lived in the first half of the fifth century.

According to legend, Merovech was conceived when Clodio's wife encountered a Quinotaur, a sea monster which could change shapes while swimming. Though never stated, it is implied that she was impregnated by it.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merovech

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merovech

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According to myth, Merovech was the son of a sea monster, or a sea god.

He was the founder of the Merovingian Dynasty.

He was of the Salii tribe also known as the Salian Franks.

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MEROVIUS, KING OF THE SALIC FRANKS

b. 411 A.D.; d. 458 A.D.

Merovius gave the name to his descendants and his dynasty. Merovius had one recorded son: Childeric, b. 436 A.D.

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Merovech

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Silvered brass mounting from 1867 depicting Merovech victorious in battle, by Emmanuel Frémiet.

Merovech/Merowig (411-457) (Latin: Meroveus or Merovius; French: Mérovée) is the legendary founder of the Merovingian dynasty of the Salian Franks, which later became the dominant Frankish tribe. The name is a Latinization of a form close to Old High German proper name Marwig, lit. "famed fight"[1] (cf. māri "famous" + wīg "fight").

Contents

[hide]

   * 1 Reference in popular culture

* 2 Notes
* 3 See also
* 4 References
There is little information about him in the later histories of the Franks. Gregory of Tours only names him once as the father of Childeric I while putting doubt on his descent from Clodio.[2] Many admit today that this formulation finds its explanation in a legend reported by Fredegar.[3] The Chronicle of Fredegar interpolated on this reference by Gregory by adding Merovech was the son of the queen, Clodio's wife; but his father was a sea-god, bistea Neptuni.[4] No other historical evidence exists that Merovech ever lived. Some researchers have noted that Merovech, the Frankish chieftain, may have been the namesake of a certain god or demigod honored by the Franks prior to their conversion to Christianity. It has been suggested Merovech refers to or is reminiscent to the Dutch river Merwede,[5] nowadays part of the Rhine-Meus-Scheldt delta but historically a main subsidiary of the Rhine, in the neighborhood of which the Salian Franks once dwelled according to Roman historians. Another theory[6] considers this legend to be the creation of a mythological past needed to back up the fast-rising Frankish rule in Western Europe.

According to another legend, Merovech was conceived when Pharamond's wife encountered a Quinotaur, a sea monster which could change shapes while swimming. Though never stated, it is implied that she was impregnated by it. This legend was related by Fredegar in the seventh century, and may have been known earlier. The legend is probably a back-formation or folk etymology used to explain the Salian Franks' origin as a sea coast dwelling people, and based on the name itself. The "Mero-" or "Mer-" element in the name suggests a sea or ocean (see Old English "mere," Latin "mare," or even the Modern English word "mermaid," etc.). The "Salian" in "Salian Franks" may be a reference to salt, a reminder of their pre-migration home on the shores of the North Sea (alternatively, it may refer to the Isala or IJssel river behind which their homeland, the Salland, may have been located). The legend could also be explained in a much easier way. The sea monster could have been a foreign conqueror, coming from the sea, taking the dead king's (Chlodio or Pharamond) wife to legitimise his rule.

The first Frankish royal dynasty called themselves Merovingians in his honor.

[edit] Reference in popular culture

The legend about Merovech's conception was adapted in 1982 by authors Henry Lincoln and Richard Leigh in their book Holy Blood Holy Grail, as the seed of a new idea. They hypothesized that this "descended from a fish" legend was actually referring to the concept that the Merovingian line had married into the bloodline of Jesus Christ, since the symbol for early Christians had also been a fish. This theory, with no other basis than Lincoln and Leigh's concoction, was further popularized in 2003 via Dan Brown's bestselling novel, The Da Vinci Code.[7][8]

There is also a fictional character called The Merovingian in the movies The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions (portrayed by Lambert Wilson). The character is modeled as an ancient and powerful leader of exiles. He also has extensive knowledge of the inner workings of the universe and uses this knowledge to support his decadent lifestyle.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Green, D.H. Language and History in the Early Germanic World. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1998.

2. ^ Gregory of Tours - The History of the Franks, II.9
3. ^ Christian SETTIPANI - Addenda to Les Ancêtres de Charlemagne, 1990 [1]
4. ^ Pseudo-Fredegar, Hist. III, 9
5. ^ Emil Rückert: Oberon von Mons und die Pipine von Nivella; Weidmann'sche Buchhandlung, Leipzig, Germany, 1836
6. ^ see M. Todd's, "The early Germans"
7. ^ Behind the Da Vinci Code, 2006, History Channel documentary about Henry Lincoln
8. ^ Holy Blood Holy Grail, Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, Henry Lincoln, 1982
[edit] See also

   * List of Frankish Kings

* Battle of the Catalaunian Plains
[edit] References

   * Wood, Ian. The Merovingian Kingdoms 450-751. London: Longman Group, 1994.

* Todd, M. The early Germans
* Behind the Da Vinci Code, 2006, History Channel documentary about Henry Lincoln

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MEROVIUS, KING OF THE SALIC FRANKS

b. 411 A.D.; d. 458 A.D.

Merovius gave the name to his descendants and his dynasty. Merovius had one recorded son: Childeric, b. 436 A.D.

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Merovech is possibly the son of Clodio (born 395, died 447-449). Clodio was known as "The Long-haired" or "Hairy." He was the son of Argotta (the son of Gerrobaud) and Pharamond (the daughter of Marcomer). There is a legend that Marcomer was the son of the legendary Priam, who is known as the father of Laomedan (a Trojan King), who is known in the legend as the father of Ilus, the King of Troy during the Trojan War.

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Seimi-legendary early Frankish King for whom the Merovingian Dynasty is named (Meroveus in Latin). His whole line was characterized by long hair as a symbol of royalty. He fought against the Visigoths under the Roman General Aetius at the Battle of Chalons in 451. Name also seen as: Meroveus Salic & Merovech.

Sources:

The book, 'Kings & Queens of Europe'

The book, 'The Dark Ages'

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Merovaeus, founder of the Merovingian House of Frankish Kings, was possibly the son-in-law rather than son of

Clodion. Merovaeus defeated Atilla with the aid of Aetius in 451 and reigned as King, 448-458. Also known as

Merowig, he was a Flandrian or Tournai Frank.{See Encyclopaedia Brit., 1959, 5:467-8, 9:698}

Merovaeus (Meroveus/Merovee/Merovech) was King of the Salian Franks from 447 to 456, after whom the Merovingian Dynasty is named. It is believed by some historians that this dynasty was descended from Jesus and Mary Magdalene, and that the blood-line has continued down through the centuries to the present day. Organisations which seem to been involved in its continuation and protection include the Knights Templar and the 'secret society', The Priory of Sion, whose Grand Masters are said to include Leonardo da Vinci, Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo and Claude Debussy.

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Defeated Attila the Hun in 458.

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Roi des Francs Saliens de 448 à 457.

Contre l'opinion généralement admise, qui fait de Mérovée le fils de Chlodion le Chevelu, Gilles Houdry pense qu'il n'en était que le gendre.

• Merovee, King of the Franks from 447-458 A.D., was an adherent of the cult of Diana. His Son,

Childeric I, 458-481 A.D, practiced witchcraft (Paganism). His son, Clovis I, 481-511 A.D., adopted

christianity in 496 A.D.

  *In 496 A.D., the Bishop of Rome made a pact with Clovis, the Grandson of Merovee, King of the

Franks, calling him "The New Constantine", giving him authority to preside over a "Christianized

Roman Empire". (The term "Holy Roman Empire" was not officially used until 962 A.D.)

(bk-4,11-13) At this time the church was not yet aware of the Merovingian connection.

  *Rev. J.R. Church, author of "Guardians of the Grail", traces the lineage of these Merovingian

Kings and documents that most European royalty descends from this bloodline, including the

Hapsburg dynasty and the present royalty of Spain.

  *Clovis was suceeded by his son Dagobert II, born in 651. Clovis ruled the Franks and Gauls from

France and died when Dagobert was age 5. A struggle broke out for ascendancy to the throne.

5-year old Dagobert was reported to have been killed. But, in fact he was kidnapped by a catholic

priest and spirited away to Ireland where he was raised and protected at the Irish Monastary of

Slane, not far from Dublin, and here at the school attached to the monastary, he recieved an

education unobtainable in France at the time. (bk-1,247)

  *In 666, Dagobert II married a Celtic Princess, fathering three daughters but no sons. Soon he

moved to England establishing residence at York. His first wife died in 670 A.D. and Dagobert II

returned to France. He married his second wife, Giselle de Razes, daughter of the Count of Razes

and niece of the King of the Visigoths in southern France. The marriage was celebrated at Rennes le

Chateau, a Visigoth bastion, the same village where Saunier found the secret genealogies in 1891.

With this marriage, the Merovingian bloodline was now allied with the Royal bloodline of the

Visigoths, who had strong gnostic tendencies. Dagobert II was in fact converted to the religion by his

wife, turning away from his catholic heritage.

    Finally, in 674, with the support of his mother and her advisors, the long exiled monarch

announced who he was, reclaimed his realm and was officially proclaimed King of Austrisia, which

took in the territory of North-Western Europe and parts of what are now Austria and Germany.

(bk-1,250)

  *Dagobert II established a Coat-Of-Arms for Rennes le Chateau consisting of two triangles

interlaced, one, white and upright and the other black and upside down, forming a six-pointed star.

This is a dominant symbol in Freemasonry. (bk-1,396)

  *Mackey's "Encyclopedia of Freemasonry" defines the six-pointed star as representing the good

and evil powers in life. (bk-6)

  *Dagobert II set himself against the Roman church and by this time Rome was knowledgable

about the Merovingian "Heresay".

  *On Dec. 3,679, while resting under a tree during a hunt in the Ardenes Forest in northern France,

Dagobert II was assassinated. The murderers then returned to his northern palace intent on

exterminating the rest of the Royal family. (bk-2,52)

Rey legendario, hijo presumido de Clodion, es rey de los Francos. Habría ayudado a Aetius a vencer Attila en la batalla de los Campos Catalauniques. Es el padre probable de Childéric Ier. Él da su nombre a la dinastía de los Merovingios

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Härskare över frankiska riket. Påstås ha lett frankerna mot Attila och hunnerna i slaget vid Chalons år 451.

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Legendary founder of the Merovingian dynasty of the Salian Franks, that later became the dominant Frankish tribe.

Ruler of the Salic Franks BET 448 AND 457

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http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jamesdow/jdahn4.htm

Merovech (I; King) of (Salic) FRANKS; aka Meroveus (Merowig Merovey Meroving) the Young'; defeated Attila the Hun.

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The Quinotaur is a mythical sea creature mentioned in the 7th century Frankish Chronicle of Fredegar. Referred to as "bestea Neptuni Quinotauri similis",[1] (the beast of Neptune which resembles a Quinotaur) it was held to have fathered Meroveus by attacking the wife of the Frankish king Chlodio and thus to have sired the line of Merovingian kings.

The name translates from Latin as "bull with five horns", whose attributes have commonly been interpreted as the incorporated symbols of the sea god Neptune with his trident, and the horns of a mythical bull or Minotaur. It is not known whether the legend merged both elements by itself or whether this merger should be attributed to the Christian author.[2] The clerical Latinity of the name does not indicate whether it is a translation of some genuine Frankish creature or a coining.

The suggested rape and subsequent family relation of this monster attributed to Frankish mythology, correspond to both the Indo-European etymology of Neptune (from PIE '*nepots', "grandson" or "nephew", compare also the Indic and Avestan 'Apam Napat', "grandson/nephew of the water")[3] and to bull-related fertility myths in Greek mythology, where for example the Phoenician princess Europa was abducted by the god Zeus, in the form of a white bull, that swam her to Crete.

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Merovech (411-457) (Latin: Meroveus or Merovius; French: Mérovée) is the legendary founder of the Merovingian dynasty of the Salian Franks, that later became the dominant Frankish tribe. The name is a latinization of a form close to Old High German proper name Marwig, lit. "famed fight"[1] (cf. māri "famous" + wīg "fight").

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One candidate of fathers was Pharamond or Genebald

By wikipedia, the mother of Merofing was wife of Pharamnd

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merovech

Henn

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Governed the Salic Franks

1. Note: Defeated "Attila the Hun" in 451
2. Note: Was son or son-in-law of Clodion
3. Note:
4. Note:

Before 430, the Salic Francs traverse the Escaut, and settle north of Gand [Gant] and also into Courtrai. Their chief, Clodion, takes Cambrai in 430. When Clodion died in 448, Merovee would succeed him as chief. Merovee was a Frankish Prince who ruled over the Saliennes [thus, this Merovee is King of the Salic Francs] from 452-458. He was the commander of the Francs in the great Battle of the Catalonic Fields, where he defeated Attila the Hun in 451. It is from his name that the kings of the First Race derived their name. The Huns had steadily increased their domination from humble beginnings off the Caspian sea from Caucase to the Elbe, from Muldavia to Hungary in the later part of the Fourth Century.

# Note:

1. Note: SOURCES:
2. Note: Merovee=Merovech, Prince des Francs (Rosamond McKitterick, The Frankish kingdom under the Carolingians: 751-987 (Singapore: Longman Singapore Publishers Pte Ltd, (c) 1983).)
3. Note: (Paul, Nouveau Larousse Universel.)
4. Note:
5. Note: (Roderick W. Stuart, Royalty for Commoners in ISBN: 0-8063-1344-7 (1001 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 1992), Page 216, Line 303-53.)
6. Note:
7. Note:

(Andre Castelot, Histoire de La France, Pages, 176, 200). Born: before 390, son of Arcadios Claudius Claudianus and Eudoxie, Merovee is presumed to have been at least 15 years of age by the time his son Childeric I was born. Married before 405:

She was a concubine. Note - between 451 and 458:

1. Note:
2. Note:

Before 430, the Salic Francs traverse the Escaut, and settle north of Gand [Gant] and also into Courtrai. Their chief, Clodion, takes Cambrai in 430. When Clodion died in 448, Merovee would succeed him as chief. Merovee was a Frankish Prince

   who ruled over the Saliennes [thus, this Merovee is King of the Salic Francs] from 452-458. He was the commander of the Francs in the great Battle of the Catalonic Fields, where he defeated Attila the Hun in 451. It is from his name that the

kings of the First Race derived their name. The Huns had steadily increased their domination from humble beginnings off the Caspian sea from Caucase to the Elbe, from Muldavia to Hungary in the later part of the Fourth Century.
# Note:

1. Note:

   During his reign the Empress of the Roman Empire, Galla Placidia, in 423 governed in the name of her 4-year old son, Valentinius III. She put the Gallo-Roman Aetius [who really came from Bulgaria [originally Silistria] in charge of maintaining

the Roman authority over Gaule.
# Note:

1. Note:

   Although he was unsuccessful against the Wisigoths, he pushed the Riparian Francs beyond the Rhine. In 440, the Riparians would return and take over Cologne and Treves. In the meantime, the Burgundians settle in what would become Bourgogne and

in Savoie. In 443, they are camped around Worms and Mayence under the command of their King, Gonthier. Died: in 458.
# Note:

1. Note: Title: Encyclopedia Britannica, Treatise on
2. Note: Page: Early Frankish Period page 454 of Macropedia
3. Note: Text: traditional belief of close ancestry

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http://www.genealogieonline.nl/kwartierstaat-zuur/I199.php

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Roi des Francs Saliens -

Koning van de Salische Franken -

King of the Salian Franks

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Roi des Francs -

Koning van de Franken -

King of the Franks

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http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meroveu

Meroveu (◊ c. 411 † c. 458) é o lendário fundador da dinastia merovíngia de reis francos. Ele foi rei dos francos salianos nos anos depois de 450. Sobre ele não existem registros contemporâneos e há pouca informação nas histórias posteriores dos francos. Gregório de Tours registra que possivelmente ele tenha sido filho de Clódio. Ele supostamente liderou os francos na Batalha de Chalons (ou Batalha dos Campos Cataláunicos) em 451.

De acordo com uma lenda, Meroveu foi concebido quando a esposa de Clódio encontrou um Quinotauro, um monstro marítimo que podia mudar de forma enquanto nadava. Apesar de nunca declarar, ela foi impregnada por isso. Essa lenda foi relatada pelo cronista Fredegar no século VII, mas deve ter sido conhecida antes. A lenda é provavelmente de origem folclórica e usada para explicar a origem dos francos salianos como um povo residente próximo ao litoral. O elemento "Mero-" ou "Mer-" no nome sugere alusão a "mar" ou "oceano" (inglês antigo: mere; latim: mare). O termo "saliano" é, de fato, uma referência ao sal, uma lembrança de seu lar pré-migração nas praias do mar do Norte. O elemento "-wig/weg/veus" poderia ser visto como uma referência a "viajante", "rota, caminho" ou "transporte, veículo" (em alemão: weg; em latim: via). Por essa interpretação, Meroveu significaria simplesmente "do mar". Uma pequena variação dessa interpretação derivaria da palavra do alto alemão antigo/saxão antigo "wiht" ("coisa" ou "demônio"), relacionada com a agora obsoleta palavra inglesa "wight" (que significa "humano" ou "criatura semelhante a um humano"). Então, Meroveu e suas formas variantes de grafia poderiam facilmente ter levado os cronistas dos francos à referência a uam criatura marítima de algum tipo, e através disso gerando a lenda da origem marítima - qualquer que seja o significado do nome. Meroveu foi o pai de Childerico I, que o sucedeu.

Referências na cultura popular

A lenda sobre a concepção merovíngia foi adaptada em 1982 pelos autores Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh e Henry Lincoln no livro O Santo Graal e a Linhagem Sagrada (The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail), como a semente de uma nova idéia. Eles, por hipótese, afirmam que a lenda "descendido de um peixe" era na verdade uma referência ao conceito de que a linha merovíngia havia se unido via casamentos com a linha sangüínea direta dos descendentes de Jesus Cristo, por que o símbolo dos primeiros cristãos também havia sido um peixe. Essa teoria, foi popularizada posteriormente em 2003 pelo best-seller de Dan Brown O Código Da Vinci.

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Merovaeus 1 2
•Sex: M
•Title: King of the Franks •Birth: ABT 415 in Gaul (France) 3 •Death: 457 4

Father: Chlodo b: ABT 395 in Westphalia, Germany Mother: Basina Of Thuringia b: BEF 398 in Thuringia, Germany

Marriage 1 Verica Of Sweden Children 1. Childeric I b: 436

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=monicap&i...

http://www.palmspringsbum.org/genealogy/getperson.php?personID=I159...

7. Basina de Thuringia 10 11 (Galla Placidia , of Cauca6, Galla Juntina Valentina , of Rome5, Valentinia I , Western Emperor of Rome4, Justina , of Rome3, Lucinianus, of Rome2, Valerius Licinianus, of Rome1) was born in 398 in Thuringia, Germany and died about 414 in France about age 16.

Basina married Clodio , King of the Salic Franks, son of Pharamond , King of the Franks [Legendary] and Argotta , Princess of the Salian Franks. Clodio was born about 395 in Belgium and died in 447 about age 52.

Noted events in his life were:

• King of Salian Franks: at Dispargum and later Tournai, 426-447.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 8 M i. Merovech King of the Salic Franks [Legendary] 15 16 was born about 411 in Belgium and died about 457 about age 46.

+ 9 M ii. Sigimerus I d'Auverigne 17 was born about 414.

 Eighth Generation  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Merovech King of the Salic Franks [Legendary] 15 16 (Basina , de Thuringia7, Galla Placidia , of Cauca6, Galla Juntina Valentina , of Rome5, Valentinia I , Western Emperor of Rome4, Justina , of Rome3, Lucinianus, of Rome2, Valerius Licinianus, of Rome1) was born about 411 in Belgium and died about 457 about age 46.

Research Notes: Legendary founder of the Merovingian dynasty of the Salian Franks. May not have been a real person, the father of Childeric I.

Defeated Atilla the Hun with the aid of Aetius in 451.

From Wikipedia - List of Frankish kings : Merovech , possible son of Chlodio, King at Tournai (447 - 458)

The first Frankish royal dynasty called themselves Merovingians in his honor.

Merovech may have been the father of Childeric I who may have succeeded him.

Noted events in his life were:

• King of the Salian Franks: at Tournai, 447-458.

Merovech married Verica.18 19 Verica was born about 413.

The child from this marriage was:

+ 10 M i. Childeric I King of the Salian Franks 20 21 22 was born between 436 and 437 in Westphalia, Germany, died on 26 Nov 482 in Tournai, (Hainaut), Frankish Empire (Belgium), and was buried in Tournai, (Hainaut), Frankish Empire (Belgium).

9. Sigimerus I d'Auverigne 17 (Basina , de Thuringia7, Galla Placidia , of

http://gen.cookancestry.com/getperson.php?personID=I5955&tree=1

Merovaeus (Meroveus/Merovee/Merovech) was King of the Salian Franks from 447 to 456, after whom the Merovingian Dynasty is named. It is believed by some historians that this dynasty was descended from Jesus and Mary Magdalene, and that the blood-line has continued down through the centuries to the present day. Organisations which seem to been involved in its continuation and protection include the Knights Templar and the 'secret society', The Priory of Sion, whose Grand Masters are said to include Leonardo da Vinci, Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo and Claude Debussy.

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Foto från familypedia.wiki.com

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Titres: Roi des Francs Saliens (2e, 448-457), Roi de Tournai (Tournaisis) http://gw.geneanet.org/nobily?lang=fr;pz=elisabeth+therese+marie+he...

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Titres: Roi des Francs Saliens (2e, 448-457), Roi de Tournai (Tournaisis) http://gw.geneanet.org/nobily?lang=fr;pz=elisabeth+therese+marie+he...

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Merovech (447 – 458). Det finnes mange myter og legender i forbindelse med Merovingerne, en av mytene går ut på at de var Maria Magdalenas beskyttere da hun kom til Frankrike og at hun hadde med seg den Hellige Graal. Det er her forskjellige teorier, men en av dem går ut på at ordet SANGRAAL var misforstått. Hvis ordet ble brutt etter n ville det bli San Graal oversatt til Holy Grail (Hellig Graal), men hvis man bryter det etter g blir ordet endret til SANG RAAL som på gammel fransk betyr ”kongelig blodslinje”. Når jeg da ser på legenden om hvordan Merovech ble til, blir legenden en annen. Merovech ble unfanget da hans mor svømte i Middelhavet og hans far skulle da være et sjømonster. Han ble da halvt menneske og halvt fisk. I følge de tidligste kristne var Jesus kjent som ”Ichtys” som betyr Fisken og Maria Magdalena ble identifisert som ”båten til fisken”.

Hvis legenden om blodslinjen ”sang raal” er sann, hvem skulle føre denne videre om det ikke var et barn. Hvem skulle så føre denne slekt videre i form av det Frankiske dynastiet. Hadde Maria Magdalena et barn? Dette fører oss til Sarah en ungjente som som var en flyktning om bord på båten og hvis navn betyr ”Prinsesse” på hebraisk. Kunne hun være det glemte barn av ”sang raal” – det kongelige blod av Israels konge. Hennes alder burde stemme, hun skulle være mellom 9-12 år ved båtens ankomst i år 42 etter Jesus død. Hennes ansikt er mørkt og med kariktiristiske trekk, hun kalles Sarah egypteren. I en av bøkene i Det Nye Testamentet står det om linjene til Kong Davids ætt: ”Deres ansikt var hvite som melk, nå svarte som sot. De gjenkjennes ikke i gatene”. De er nå i eksil, deportert og gjemt, ”ikke gjenkjent i gatene”.

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 King of the Salian Franks (447-457) born in present Belgium, first king and founder of the Merovingian dynasty, which dominated much of the current France and Germany between centuries V and VII. He was the son of Clodion (405-448) , king of a tribe of Salian Franks or Salian (430-448) and his queen name Basine , and succeeded his father as king of his tribe of saliens Franks (447). It was a king of the Franks Salier semi-legendary, that is, there is no reliable information about him but rather a set of legends, and founder of the dynasty. One of the legends is that was born of a woman emprenhada by a man and seduced by a marine animal, in his veins the blood of the two. After dominating the neighboring tribes in the late fifth century imposed its hegemony in Gaul and later allied to the Roman general Aetius to fight Attila , the Hun died in inaccurate place and was succeeded by his son with the queen Verica , Childerico I (437-482) . However, the architect of the Merovingian power was a grandson, Clovis , son of Childeric I . Is it the name, which comes from the word March in French, which gave rise to the term Merovingian , which was renamed the members of that family reportedly origin in that little-known Frankish king. They were created as kings and the children were given titles and became kings automatically at age 12 and his role was not to rule, this task being given to the Directors of the Palace. Involved with witchcraft, the Merovingian acquired an aura of mystical and sobrenaturalidades, they adopted as a symbol Bee and were seen more as priests kings, similar to the Egyptian pharaohs.

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See the Wikipedia article for furthur info on this semi-legendary character and his mythological roots.

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http://www.coltechpub.com/hartgen/htm/of-the-west-franks.htm#name3916

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http://www.our-royal-titled-noble-and-commoner-ancestors.com/p575.h...

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Bron:[ http://home.hccnet.nl/ton.stangenberger/gnosis/merowinger/merowech1...]

Merovech, de legendarische koning Merovech was hoogst waarschijnlijk koning van de Salische Franken(447-458) na Chlodio. Hij is de naamgever van de zogenaamde Merovingen, onder welke het Frankische Rijk tot bloei kwam. Volgens Emil Rückert [1]zou de naam Merovingen als volgt tot stand gekomen zijn: het heersende geslacht van de Franken woonde aan de Merwedeof Merowe, bij Slot Loevestein, waar deze samenvloeit met de Maas. Merovech zou hieraan zijn naam ontleend hebben.

Over Merovech zelf is weinig bekend, en hij geldt daarom als een half-mythische figuur. Hij was waarschijnlijk de zoon van Chlodio. Volgens de legende werd hij verwekt toen zijn moeder bij het baden een zeemonster tegenkwam. Vandaar de uitspraak dat iemand van (Europese) adel "blauw bloed" zou hebben, zoals de zeewezens. Omstreeks 450verkeerde de Salische Franken op goede voet met de Romeinse Generaal Aetius. Als bondgenoten hebben zij, en daarmee ook vermoedelijk Merovech in451meegestreden aan de zijde van Aetius tegen de Hunnen. Merovech werd opgevolgd door zijn zoon Childerik I.

De afkomst van de Merovingische koningen is door mythen omgeven. Merovech (Meroveus) zou omstreeks 415 geboren zijn als zoon van Chlodion, bijgenaamd 'de langharige'. Het is daarom dat de Merovingers uit dit geslacht ook wel worden aangeduid met 'de langharige koningen'. Deze koningen werden verondersteld hun macht te ontlenen aan hun lange rode haar. Het knippen van hun haar stond gelijk aan een verlies van macht. Van Chlodion (en diens vader Pharamond), wordt aangenomen dat ze uit legenden zijn voortgekomen en niet werkelijk bestaan hebben. Ook van Merovech is niet met 100% zekerheid vast te stellen dat hij werkelijk geleefd heeft.

De figuur van Merovech heeft in de loop der tijden mythische vormen aangenomen. Zo wordt van hem verteld dat hij geboren is uit twee vaders. Toen zijn moeder zwanger van hem was, ging ze zwemmen in de oceaan. Eenmaal in het water, werd ze verleid dan wel verkracht (al naargelang de versie van het verhaal) door een onbekend zeemonster, "bestea Neptuni Quinotauri similis". Dat wil zeggen een beest van Neptunus gelijkend op een Quinotaurus. Door dit creatuur, half zeemonster en half stier, werd de zwangere koningin een tweede maal bevrucht. Toen Merovech geboren werd, stroomden er twee soorten bloed door zijn anderen: dat van de Frankische koningen en dat van een zeemonster. De uitdrukking 'blauw bloed in de aderen hebben' is hiervan afgeleid (zeedieren als bijvoorbeeld kreeft en inktvis hebben blauw bloed). Er wordt ook wel beweerd dat Merovech een rechtstreekse afstammeling is van Jezus Christus wiens bloedlijn (via Maria Magdalena) door de tempelridders naar Europa gebracht zou zijn. De heilige bloedlijn van Jezus is in deze theorie "de graal".

Merovech trouwt in 435 met Verica, afkomstig uit Westfalen (Duitsland). Men zou op basis hiervan wellicht aannemen dat de Frankische koningen monogaam waren. Niets is echter minder waar! Sommigen hielden er, naar Oosters voorbeeld, zelfs een complete harem op na. Ook na hun bekering tot het Christendom houden zij vast aan hun concubines. Zelfs als de aristocratie, onder druk van de kerk, de (openlijke) polygamie reeds lang heeft opgegeven.

In 448 wordt Merovech uitgeroepen tot koning, hij wordt hiermee de eerste koning uit het geslacht van de Merovingers. Merovech is vooral bekend geworden door zijn strijd tegen de Hunnen. Hij helpt in 451 de Romeinse legeraanvoerder Aetius en Theodorik, koning van de Gothen, om de opmars van Attila de Hun te stoppen. De Hunnen richten grote schade aan. Als ze Parijs naderen wil de bevolking vluchten. De heilige Geneviève houdt de uittocht een halt toe door de Parijzenaars te verzekeren dat hun stad gespaard zal blijven. Merovech valt de Hunnen aan, ergens tussen Châlons sur Marne en Méry sur Seine (nabij Troyes). Na een verschrikkelijke veldslag worden de Hunnen teruggedreven. Deze gedenkwaardige slag op Catalunische velden (451) was evenwel niet beslissend want Atilla kon zich terugtrekken aan de overzijde van de Rijn.

Merovech sterft in 458. Hij wordt opgevolgd door zijn zoon Childerik I . Het merovingische geslacht is naar hem genoemd. Aangenomen wordt dat alle koningshuizen afstammen van de bloedlijn van de Merovingen. Ook zou de afstamming van 34 presidenten terug te voeren zijn op Merovech.