The other kings of this line reigned only over special kingdoms, formed by virtue of divers partitions at the death of their general possessor.

From A.D.511 to 638 five such partitions took place.

In 511, after the death of Clovis, his dominions were divided amongst his four sons; Theodoric, or Thierry I., was king of Metz; Clodomir, of Orleans; Childebert, of Paris; Clotaire I., of Soissons.

To each of these capitals fixed boundaries were attached.

In 558, in consequence of divers incidents brought about naturally or by violence, Clotaire I.ended by possessing alone, during three years, all the dominions of his fathers.