their assistance defeated _Attila_ in a Battel; wherein, 'tis said, they slew no fewer than a Hundred and eighty thousand Men. But the Conqueror _AEtius_ being suspected by _Valentinian_ of aspiring to the Empire, was afterwards, by his Command, put to Death; and within a little while after, he himself was slain by _Maximus_ before-mention'd. During these Transactions, _Meroveus_, King of the _Franks_, taking his Opportunity, pass'd the _Rhine_, with a great Army; and joyning in Confederacy with many Cities, who assisted in the common Cause of the publick Liberty, possess'd himself at length of the innermost Cities belonging to the _Celtae_, between the _Seine_ and the _Garonne_. He being dead, and both Nations (the _Gauls_ and _Franks_) united into one Commonwealth; they unanimously elected _Childeric_, the Son of _Meroveus_, for their King, placing him upon a Shield according to ancient Custom; and carrying him upon their Shoulders thrice round the place of Assembly, with great Acclamations of Joy, and universal Congratulation, saluted him _King of Francogallia_. Of all which particulars, _Sidonius Apollinaris_, _Gregorius Turonensis_, _Otto Frising_, _Aimoinus_ and others are Witnesses; whose Testimonies we shall further produce, when we come to treat of the Manner of the Inauguration of the King. The Words of the same _Otto_, in the last Chapter but one of his 4th Book concerning their taking possession of several Cities, are these.--"The _Franks_, after having pass'd the _Rhine_, in the first place put to flight the _Romans_, who dwelt thereabouts; afterwards they took _Tournay_ and _Cambray_, Cities of _Gallia_; and from thence gaining ground, by degrees they subdued _Rheims_, _Soissons_, _Orleans_, _Cologne_ and _Triers_." And thus much may briefly be said touching the first King of _Francogallia_. To which we shall only subjoin this Remark: [Footnote: Hotoman's _Francogallia_ was written _Anno_ 1573.] _That altho' the Francogallican Kingdom_ has lasted from that time to this, almost One thousand two hundred Years; yet during so long a space, there are but three Families reckon'd to have possess'd the Throne, _viz._ the Merovingians; who beginning from Meroveus, continued it to their Posterity two hundred eighty three Years. The _Carlovingians_, who drawing their Original from _Charles the Great_, enjoy'd it 337 Years: And lastly, the _Capevignians_, who being descended from _Hugh Capet_, now rule the Kingdom, and have done so for Five hundred and eighty Years past. * * * * * CHAP. VI. _Whether the Kingdom of_ Francogallia _was_ hereditary _or_ elective; _and the manner of making its_ Kings.