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Clodius of the Franks “Long Haired” King of West Phalia

Clodius of the Franks, known as Long Haired, was born in 0380 in Westphalia, Germany. Long Haired's father was Pharamond of the Franks and his mother was Argotta of the Franks. His paternal grandfather was Marcomir I of the Franks; his maternal grandfather was Genebald Duke of the East Franks. He was an only child. He died at the age of 67 in 0447.

General Notes
- (aka Clodio, Chlodio, Chlodion, Clodion, Chlogio, and Clodian)
  Ruled 426-447. There are basically only two sources of information for Clodio's history: the writings of Gregory of Tours and Sidonius Apollinaris.
  
  Clodio lived in Dispargum, a name that is believed to be that of a castle, rather than a village. Around 431, he invaded the territory of Artois, but was defeated near Hesdin by Aetius, the commander of the Roman army in Gaul, Western Roman Empire. However, Clodio regrouped and soon was able to seize the town Cameracum. Eventually, he occupied all the country as far as the Somme River and making Tournai the capital of the Salian Franks.
  
  Clodio's aggressive action to seize more territory led to centuries of expansion by his successors that ultimately created what we know today as the country of France. Clodio died sometime between 447 and 449 and power passed on to Meroveus. It is not known if Meroveus was his son or another chieftain of the tribe who ascended into the leadership role.
  
  "It is related that Chlodio, a brave man and the most noble of his race, was at that time king of the Franks. He lived in the stronghold of Dispargum, which is in the borders of the Thuringians. Chlodio sent reconnoitrers to the city of Cameracum (Cambrai): they explored the whole district, and then Chlodio followed, defeated the Romans and captured the city, where he resided for some time. Then he occupied all the country as far as the river Somme." (Gregory of Tours)

Ancestor Pedigree Chart
- Genebald of the Franks ^*
  - b.  0262 d.  0358
  
  Dagobert of the Franks
  - b. in Germany d.  0379
  
  Clodius of the Franks
  - b.  0324 in Germany d.  0389
  
  Marcomir I  of the Franks
  - b.  0347 in Germany d.  0404
  
  Pharamond of the Franks
  - b.  0370 in Westphalia, Germany d.  0426
  
  Clodius of the Franks “Long Haired” King of West Phalia
  - b.  0380 in Westphalia, Germany d.  0447
  
  Theodimir of the Franks ^*
  - b. in France d.  0360
  
  Clodius V of the Franks
  - b. in France d.  0378
  
  Dagobert of the Franks
  - b. in France d.  0398
  
  Genebald Duke of the East Franks
  - b. in France d.  0419
  
  Argotta of the Franks
  - b.  0376 in France
  
  ^*There are earlier generations for the ancestor(s) indicated. See their page(s) for details (click name)

Click here for details of Long Haired's family with Basina de Thuringia