Everything about Pharamond totally explained
Pharamond or
Faramund is a legendary early king of the
Franks first referred to in the anonymous 8th century
Carolingian text
Liber Historiae Francorum, also known as the
Gesta regnum Francorum. In this work, which is customarily dated to 727, the anonymous author begins by writing of a mythical
Trojan origin for the
Franks. The emphasis of the
Liber was upon "construct[ing] a specific past for a particular group of people."
The story is told of the election of the first Frankish king. It says that after the death of
Sunno, his brother
Marcomer, leader of the
Ampsivarii and
Chatti, proposed to the Franks that they should have one single king, contrary to their tradition. The
Liber adds that Pharamond, named as Marchomir's son, was chosen as this first king (thus beginning the tradition of long-haired kings of the Franks), and then states that when he died, his son
Chlodio was raised up as the next king. The work says no more of him.
Because there's no reference in any source prior to this work to this figure named Pharamond, who is placed prior to
Chlodio (that is, before ca. 428), scholars consider him a legendary rather than historical figure. As a matter of fact in several sources, for example
Gregory of Tours, multiple kings are attested to rule simultaneously in later times. It is thus a dubious matter to assume that, even had Pharamond existed, he was ever recognized as sole king. The first king of the Franks who may have been close to this position was
Clovis I, but after his death his empire was divided again amongst his sons who ruled again simultaneously.
The myth of Pharamond has led to new legends and romances in later times. In past times this has led to attempts to falsely write Pharamond into
Prosper Tiro.
Martin Bouquet at a much later date invented an entire history of Pharamond.
Pharamond in later culture
A Pharamond appears as the king of France in the
Prose Tristan and later
Arthurian works. A god called Pharamond appears in
Neil Gaiman's
Sandman as a provider of transportation for the gods and higher beings. It appears he also has a large amount of control over human transportation as well. He calls himself the last member of his pantheon. Pharamond is also mentioned in
Shakespeare's
Henry V, Act I, Scene 2, as the originator of the
Salic Law banning women from succession to the throne of
France.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Pharamond'.
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