Clovis (473-511 AD) was a King of the Salian Franks, but also an official of the Romans. His conquest of other Kingdoms made him first of all a successful warlord. As there was no governmental administration readily available to rule all these Kingdoms combined, the Merovingians acted pragmatically and took over much of the regional and locally existing systems of government after conquering these regions, and fitted them  into a more regional structure of government.

King Clodovech, (Clovis) son of Childeric I and Basina of Thüringen — to us better known as Clovis I,  was the first Frankish King to unite all of the Frankish tribes under one ruler, changing the form of leadership to a rule by a single King and ensuring that this Kingship was passed down to his heirs. 

Clovis I was the grandson of Mérovée, the founder of the Merovingian dynasty, and he succeeded his father Childeric I at the age of fifteen in 488 AD.  

As soon as Clovis succeeded his father Childeric I, Bishop Remigus of Reims sent a letter to Clovis suggesting close cooperation with the Gallo-Romans and their most important institution; the Church.

20 years later Bishop Avitus of Vienne sent a letter to Clovis praising the King for his conversion to the Roman Catholic faith and acting accordingly. Bishop Avitus’ King was an Arian and Avitus attempts to convert his King to Catholicism failed and he thought that Clovis will be the saviour of the Catholic Church in Gaul.

Avitus especially praised Clovis ancestors saying:

“Of all your ancient genealogy you have chosen to keep only your own nobility, and you have willed that your race should derive from all the glories which adorn high birth. Your ancestors have prepared a great destiny for you; you willed to prepare better things (for those who will follow you). You follow your ancestors in reigning in this world; you have opened the way to your descendants to a heavenly realm.”

From 457 to 486, under Aegidius and his son Syagrius, Noviodunum was the capital of the Kingdom of Soissons, until it was reclaimed by Clovis in 486 after the Battle of Soissons, and he made it his new capital. This was done  with the help of Ragnachar, his kinsman. (The city was lost by Childeric).

To the west there was a significant area of Roman territory, left behind by the gradual collapse of Roman power in the west. This area had been ruled by Syagrius since 465 AD. at first as the chief Roman official in the area, effectively a Gallo-Roman Kingdom with the aid of the local bishops.

The battle of Soissons (486 AD.) was the first major recorded victory by King Clovis I, which saw him defeat Syagrius, the ruler of the last Roman enclave in northern Gaul.

The battle of Soissons made a great change.