Founder of the Merovingian monarchy, Clovis I (466511) became sole leader of the Salian Franks, a group of Germanic tribes settled in the northern area along the middle and lower Rhine. In 486, he defeated the Romans at Soissons, liberating the Gauls from Roman domination. Having converted to Christianity after marrying the Burgundian princess Clotilda, a Catholic, Clovis became a champion of orthodox Christianity. During his reign, Clovis united all Franks under his rule, gained the support of the Gallic clergy, established his base of operations in Paris and extended his holdings into Germany, laying the foundation for the French monarchy.
