Paris under the Merovingian dynasty (508-751 AD): From then on, Paris must defend itself, usually under the authority of its Bishop. Already in 451 there was great panic because Attila the Hun menaced the city. Genevieve, a Parisian of barbarian origin, convinced the Parisians not to abandon the city to the Huns, who in the end by-passed Paris. She became the patron saint of Paris. Clovis, king of the Franks – another in-comer from the East - took control of the city in 508. He then conquered a large area which later became the kingdom of France. Clovis chose to settle in Paris to direct his kingdom. He was baptised, which was very important for the assimilation of the two peoples. Eventually he decided to be buried by the side of Saint Genevieve in Paris in 511. The descendants of Clovis, the Merovingians, continued to consider Paris as their principal city.