Franks
The name Frank first appeared in the 3rd century AD during a period of crisis when Rome lost control of regions near the lower Rhine. Roman authors later used another collective term for enemy tribes, calling them Saxons, though the two terms were not always mutually exclusive at first. The origins of the word remain unclear, but by the 4th century it was commonly used as a collective term to refer to several tribes known by their own names like the Chamavi and Bructeri. Some scholars link the name to Old French words meaning free, while others connect it to Germanic words for javelin or fierce. Eumenius rhetorically addressed Frankish prisoners executed at Trier by Constantine I in 306, asking where their ferocity had gone. Isidore of Seville died in 636 and recorded that some believed the Franks took their name from a war leader called Francus, while others thought it referred to their wild manners.
In about 256 or 257, Germani crossed the Rhine and attacked Gaul, with some groups reaching as far as Tarragona in Spain. Archaeologists note an increase in coin hoards in populations on the Roman side of the Rhine in cities like Tongeren, Amiens, Beauvais, Trier, Metz, Toul, and Chalon-sur-Saône attesting to Frankish activity during this period. In 281 Probus captured and killed Proculus, who had fled to the Franks because he had Frankish origins himself. Maximian forced a Frankish king named Genobaud and his people to become Roman clients in the winter of 287 or 288. Constantius Chlorus defeated Franks in the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta between 293 and 294, killing, expelling, capturing, and kidnapping those who had settled south of the Rhine. In 308 Constantine the Great executed two kings of Francia, Ascaric and Merogaisus, who violated peace after his father's death. The Laterculus Veronensis, made about 314, lists Saxons and Franks separately from older Rhineland tribal names including the Chamavi, Cattuari, Amsiuari, Angriuari, Bructeri, and Cati.
Childeric I was later seen as administrative ruler over Roman Belgica Secunda and possibly other areas according to Gregory of Tours. His son Clovis I took control of more independent Frankish kingdoms to the north and east, corresponding roughly to Roman Germania Inferior which included Cologne and Belgica I which included Trier. Clovis defeated Syagrius in 486 or 487 and then had the Frankish king Chararic imprisoned and executed. He killed Ragnachar, the Frankish king of Cambrai, and his brothers a few years later. By the 490s he had conquered all Frankish kingdoms west of the River Maas except for the Ripuarian Franks. He became the first king of all Franks in 509 after conquering Cologne. Clovis divided his realm between his four sons who united to defeat Burgundy in 534. Three distinct subkingdoms emerged: Austrasia, Neustria and Burgundy, each developing independently while seeking influence over others. The Frankish realm was reunited in 613 by Chlothar II, the son of Chilperic, who granted nobles the Edict of Paris.
After the Battle of Tertry in 687, each mayor of the palace effectively held power until 751 when Pepin the Short deposed the last Merovingian king Childeric III. With approval from the Pope and nobility, Pepin crowned himself, inaugurating the Carolingian dynasty. The unification achieved by the Merovingians ensured continuation of what has become known as the Carolingian Renaissance. The Carolingian Empire was recognized as legitimate successors to emperors of the Western Roman Empire following Charlemagne's coronation as Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in 800. After Charlemagne died, his only adult surviving son Louis the Pious became Emperor and King. Following Louis' death, the Frankish Empire split between his three sons according to Frankish culture and law that demanded equality among all living male adult heirs. This empire would give rise to several successor states including France, the Holy Roman Empire and Burgundy. In 870 the Frankish realm was permanently divided between western and eastern kingdoms which were predecessors of later Kingdom of France and Holy Roman Empire respectively.
Germanic peoples including tribes in the Rhine delta that later became Franks served in the Roman army since days of Julius Caesar. From then on Germanic soldiers in the Roman army were promoted from ranks with a few decades seeing Menapian Carausius proclaim himself co-emperor based in Britain. Later Frankish soldiers like Magnentius, Silvanus, Ricomer and Bauto held command positions during mid 4th century. Procopius wrote describing former Arborychoi having merged with Franks retaining legionary organization in style of forefathers during Roman times. The early 7th century legal code Lex Salica specifies values of goods when paying wergild where spear and shield worthed two solidi while sword and scabbard valued at seven. Scramasaxes and arrowheads are numerous in Frankish graves even though Byzantine historians do not assign them to Franks. Some modern historians hypothesize Franks possessed so numerous body of horses they could use them to plow fields thus being agriculturally technologically advanced over neighbors. Merovingian armies used coats of mail, helmets, shields, lances, swords, bows and arrows and war horses.
In 496 Clovis I who had married Burgundian Catholic named Clotilda in 493 was baptized by Saint Remi after decisive victory over Alemanni at Battle of Tolbiac. According to Gregory of Tours over three thousand of his soldiers were baptized with him. At time Franks were only major Christianized Germanic tribe without predominantly Arian aristocracy leading naturally amicable relationship between Catholic Church and increasingly powerful Franks. Although many Frankish aristocracy quickly followed Clovis converting Christianity conversion of all subjects achieved only after considerable effort and some regions period of over two centuries. Remaining pockets resistance overcome region by region primarily due work expanding network monasteries. The Merovingian Church shaped by both internal and external forces needing come terms established Gallo-Roman hierarchy resisting changes culture while Christianizing pagan sensibilities suppressing expression providing new theological basis for Merovingian forms kingship deeply rooted pagan Germanic tradition accommodating Irish Anglo-Saxon missionary activities papal requirements. Rome encouraged Franks slowly replace Gallican Rite with Roman rite.
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Common questions
When did the name Frank first appear in historical records?
The name Frank first appeared in the 3rd century AD during a period of crisis when Rome lost control of regions near the lower Rhine. Roman authors later used another collective term for enemy tribes, calling them Saxons, though the two terms were not always mutually exclusive at first.
Who was the first king to rule all Franks and when did this occur?
Clovis became the first king of all Franks in 509 after conquering Cologne. He had previously defeated Syagrius in 486 or 487 and killed Ragnachar, the Frankish king of Cambrai, and his brothers a few years later.
Which dynasty replaced the Merovingians and who founded it?
Pepin the Short deposed the last Merovingian king Childeric III in 751 and crowned himself with approval from the Pope and nobility, inaugurating the Carolingian dynasty. The unification achieved by the Merovingians ensured continuation of what has become known as the Carolingian Renaissance.
What happened to the Frankish Empire after Louis the Pious died?
Following Louis' death, the Frankish Empire split between his three sons according to Frankish culture and law that demanded equality among all living male adult heirs. In 870 the Frankish realm was permanently divided between western and eastern kingdoms which were predecessors of later Kingdom of France and Holy Roman Empire respectively.
When was Clovis I baptized and how many soldiers joined him?
In 496 Clovis I was baptized by Saint Remi after decisive victory over Alemanni at Battle of Tolbiac. According to Gregory of Tours over three thousand of his soldiers were baptized with him.