Theuderic

Theuderic, also known as Theoderic, was a Merovingian king who reigned over the Franks from 511 to 533. He was the eldest son of Clovis I and his first wife, the Burgundian princess Clotilde. Upon Clovis's death, the Frankish kingdom was divided among his four sons, with Theuderic receiving the territory centered around Reims. His brothers were Chlodomer, Childebert I, and Chlothar I.

Theuderic's reign was marked by warfare and expansion. He participated alongside his brothers in campaigns against neighboring peoples, notably the Thuringians and the Burgundians. In 524, he joined Chlodomer in a war against the Burgundians, which resulted in the death of Sigismund, the Burgundian king. Following Chlodomer's death in battle against the Visigoths, Theuderic and his surviving brothers divided Chlodomer's lands.

Theuderic was known for his military prowess and his ambition. He further consolidated his power by conquering the Thuringian kingdom. He had several children, including his successor Theudebert I. Theuderic died in 533, and his kingdom passed to his son. He played a significant role in the further fragmentation and subsequent reunification of the Frankish realms, contributing to the development of the Frankish state.