Merovech King of the Salic Franks [Legendary] ^{1 2}

   Other names for Merovech were Meerwig and Merovée King of the Salian Franks.

  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)


From Wikipedia - Merovech :

Merovech (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. m "famous" + w "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 Pharamond ) 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.

  Noted events in his life were:

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

Merovech married Verica. (Verica was born about 413.)