Clovis I was the first Frankish king to unite the Franks, changing the form of leadership from a group of petty kings to rule by a single king, and ensuring that the kingship was passed down to his heirs. He is considered the founder of the Merovingian dynasty, which ruled the Frankish kingdom for the next two centuries. Clovis is an important figure in the history of France. According to Charles de Gaulle, he was "the first king of what would become France." 466 – November 29, 511; died at about 45. Alive at the same time as Aryabhata, Boethius, Brendan the Navigator, Justinian I, and Benedict of Nursia. Wiki link