Chlotaire

Chlotaire, also known as Chlodowech or Chlothar, was a Merovingian king of the Franks who ruled from 511 until his death in 561. He is notable for his role in the division of the Frankish kingdom among his sons after his death, an event known as the Treaty of Verdun. Chlotaire was the son of Clovis I, the first king to unite the Frankish tribes under a single crown. His reign saw significant territorial expansion and the establishment of Frankish dominance in Gaul.

Chlotaire's reign was marked by both military successes and internal strife. He expanded Frankish territory into Burgundy and Aquitaine, and he also fought against the Visigoths and the Burgundians. However, his reign was also characterized by conflicts with his own sons, who sought to carve out their own kingdoms. These conflicts culminated in the Treaty of Verdun, which divided the Frankish kingdom into three parts among his sons.

Chlotaire's legacy is complex. On one hand, he is credited with uniting the Frankish tribes and expanding the Frankish kingdom. On the other hand, his division of the kingdom among his sons set the stage for centuries of conflict and division within the Frankish realm. His reign and the events surrounding his death have been the subject of much scholarly debate and speculation.