The Merovingian dynasty which was founded by the legendary Frankish warrior Merovech had ruled the Franks for about three centuries, from 450 to 750 AD. This dynasty as I've read was far different in its practices than it's successors, the Carolingians. The Merovingians had based their rule largely around the sanctity of their bloodline, ritualism, mysticism, similar to the Japanese Emperors in a way. However, this dynasty eventually became weak and was overthrown by the Mayors of the Palace who were controlled by the Peppinids. This was due to the fact that later Merovingian rulers came to the throne at young ages at subsequently died at young ages as well, not being able to consolidate their position effectively as a result.
In this timeline, Dagobert I who is regarded as the last real powerful Merovingian king is able to have a long reign. He doesn't die at 35, instead lasting much longer, reigning for 40 years on the throne. He is succeeded by his son Clovis II, who goes onto have another long reign as king of the Franks. Clovis II then has a son or grandson who succeeds him who is called Chilperic II, who reigns for a long while as well.
Dagobert I:
623 AD - 663 AD
Clovis II:
663 AD - 705 AD
Chilperic II:
705 - 743 AD
Chilperic II would die at the same year that Childeric III, the last Merovingian king came to power IOTL. In this alternate timeline, the string of weak child kings is replaced by a couple, powerful, long lasting rulers. The Peppinids who were a threat to the Merovingians, to the point of replacing them as Monarchs of Francia would be eliminated by Clovis II. The practice of partitive succession would also end as well, with there being one Frankish king instead of three or four that happened before. The Merovingians were known as capable generals in our world and this was one of their important duties in addition to their status as sacred ritual-monarchs. As a result, the Umayyads are stopped in their efforts to conquer Francia. Eespecially given that Chilperic II would have decades of experience as a soldier and general.
Mayors of the Palace seeing that overreaching has led to the destruction of the Peppinids would tread more carefully. The Papacy seeing that the Merovingians aren't weak would be forced to cooperate with them more.
What might the result of these changes be? In this different world, the Merovingians would still stay largely as ceremonial ritual-monarchs. But more powerful and entrenched than were in our timeline. Would the Pope seeing that the Merovingians aren't weak make them Emperors? After all, he did the same with the Carolingians, might there be still be a Frankish Empire?
In this timeline, Dagobert I who is regarded as the last real powerful Merovingian king is able to have a long reign. He doesn't die at 35, instead lasting much longer, reigning for 40 years on the throne. He is succeeded by his son Clovis II, who goes onto have another long reign as king of the Franks. Clovis II then has a son or grandson who succeeds him who is called Chilperic II, who reigns for a long while as well.
Dagobert I:
623 AD - 663 AD
Clovis II:
663 AD - 705 AD
Chilperic II:
705 - 743 AD
Chilperic II would die at the same year that Childeric III, the last Merovingian king came to power IOTL. In this alternate timeline, the string of weak child kings is replaced by a couple, powerful, long lasting rulers. The Peppinids who were a threat to the Merovingians, to the point of replacing them as Monarchs of Francia would be eliminated by Clovis II. The practice of partitive succession would also end as well, with there being one Frankish king instead of three or four that happened before. The Merovingians were known as capable generals in our world and this was one of their important duties in addition to their status as sacred ritual-monarchs. As a result, the Umayyads are stopped in their efforts to conquer Francia. Eespecially given that Chilperic II would have decades of experience as a soldier and general.
Mayors of the Palace seeing that overreaching has led to the destruction of the Peppinids would tread more carefully. The Papacy seeing that the Merovingians aren't weak would be forced to cooperate with them more.
What might the result of these changes be? In this different world, the Merovingians would still stay largely as ceremonial ritual-monarchs. But more powerful and entrenched than were in our timeline. Would the Pope seeing that the Merovingians aren't weak make them Emperors? After all, he did the same with the Carolingians, might there be still be a Frankish Empire?