'''Clovis''', ('Chlodowech' in the Old Franconian language) also called Clovis I, lived from 466 to 511. He was the first king of the [[Franks]] starting in 481 after the death of his father and shortly after the fall of the [[Roman Empire]] ushered in a period of uncertainty in Europe.
Clovis united all of [[Gaul]] under his rule. At that time the Franks were a pagan people. Clovis's wife, [[Clotilda]] converted Clovis to [[Catholicism]] and then Clovis converted his entire army. Because of this, Clovis gained the [[Pope|Pope's]] support and became very powerful. His war and defeat of the [[Visigoths]] in 507 helped to solidify Catholicism over Arianism in western Europe.