m) had cross'd the _Rhine_, and made Irruptions into
_Gallia_: but none had been able to settle any peaceable Dominion within
the Limits of _Gallia_. Now _Meroveus_, who is commonly reckon'd the 3d
King; tho' he was indeed King of the _Franks_, yet he was a Stranger and
a Foreigner, not created King in _Gallia_, not King of the
_Francogalli_; that is to say, not elected by the joint Suffrages of
both Nations united: In short, all these were Kings of the _Franci_, and
not of the _Francogalli_. But _Childeric_, the Son of _Meroveus_, was
(as we said before) the first that was elected by the publick Council of
the associated _Franks_ and _Gauls_, and he was created King; of
_Francogallia_ presently after his Father _Meroveus_ had been kill'd in
a Battel against _Attila_, during the Reign of _Valentinian_ the Third,
a dissolute and profligate Prince. At which time the _Angli_ and _Scoti_
took Possession of _Great Britain_; the _Burgundians_ of _Burgundy,
Savoy and Dauphine_; the _Goths_ of _Aquitain_: the _Vandals_ of
_Africk_ and _Italy_, nay of _Rome_ it self; the _Hanni_ under their
Leader _Attila_ wasted _Gallia_ with Fire and Sword. This _Attila_ having
an Army of about Five hundred thousand Men, over-ran all _Gallia_ as far
as _Thoulouse_. _AEtius_ was at that time Governor of _Gallia_, who
fearing the Power of _Attila_, made a League with the _Goths_, and by
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