Clovis dies at the Battle of Soissons

Clovis had to hit some pretty hard battles to push the Visigoths out of southern Gaul (and in the end Frankish colonization of Gaul was never very extensive). If Clovis dies at the Battle of Soissons then the Visigoths may succeed in conquering Gaul and Spain which would produce a radically different Western Europe than OTL.
However, we have to remember the reason that Clovis defeated the Visigoths in the end. It wasn't that the Franks were so much stronger than the Visigoths but that Clovis embraced 'Orthodox/Catholic' Christianity and gave the Gallo-Romans someone to rally around. If the Visigoths do claim Gaul and Spain, how does the Arian v.s. 'Orthodox/Catholic' divide play out?
 

Philip

Donor

However, we have to remember the reason that Clovis defeated the Visigoths in the end. It wasn't that the Franks were so much stronger than the Visigoths but that Clovis embraced 'Orthodox/Catholic' Christianity and gave the Gallo-Romans someone to rally around.


I terms of the actual battle, I don't think that played such a large role. Clovis's adoption of Nicene Christianity helped placate his subjects, but they were not a major part of his army. Theodoric's 'late' arrival at the Battle of Vouille and the dynastic troubles of the Visigoths were more important.

If the Visigoths do claim Gaul and Spain, how does the Arian v.s. 'Orthodox/Catholic' divide play out?
About the same as OTL. The Nicene population is simply too large. As the Goths get assimilated into the population, the need for a separate Arian Church will decrease. At most, you might have some crypto-Arian bishops around for a couple of generations.
 
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