Holy Bloodline: Merovingian Dynasty

Who Were the Merovingians?

Historically speaking, the Merovingian dynasty consisted of Frankish kings who reigned over regions encompassing ancient Gaul, from 481 (Clovis I) to 752 B.C.E (Childeric III). According to tradition, Clovis, the founder of the dynasty descended from Merovech, chief of the Salian Franks and father of Childeric I, Clovis’ father.

After his death, his kingdom was divided up into Austriasia, Neustria, and Burgundy. These borders, however, were not clearly defined – in fact they were frequently combined – and were eventually fully united under the reign of Clotaire the I (558-61), Clotaire II (613-23) and Dagobert I (629-39). Although the dynasty would endure for more than a century afterward, it would be ruled mostly by “idle kings” – or kings controlled by their mayors, the Carolingians.

The Merovingians and the Holy Bloodline?

According to alternative historical theories, such as the one espoused in The Da Vinci Code, the Merovingian line had a connection to Jesus’ family bloodline. This theory proposes that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, and moreover, had children whom she bore. Jealous of her unrivalled attention in the eyes of their Messiah, the apostles sought to marginalize her after Jesus’ crucifixion.

Sensing danger, Magdalene fled to Gaul, France where she raised her children, who were legal heirs to the House of Judah. Eventually, her children would marry into the Merovingian line, which had their capital in Paris.

Furthermore, these supposed “conspiracy theorists” claim that the Merovingians did not simply “disappear” after the rule of Childeric II. Rather, Dagobert’s son, Sigebert, carried on their line. This secret would be kept by the Priory of Sion (a secret organization that would supposedly evolve to become the Knights Templar), who also had the responsibility of carrying documents verifying Mary Magdalene’s relationship with Jesus, as well as the Holy Grail itself: Mary’s body.