As the collapse of the Roman Empire continued to result in new gaps in the social structure that was slowly yielding to feudalism, a variety of small kingdoms began to emerge. None really amounted to much except to their respective subjects. Initially just a group of west Germanic tribes, the Franks developed a kingdom in what would eventually become Belgium.
The Merovingian Dynasty[]
It was under Clovis that the Frankish Kingdom of Francia emerges as a force. Much of his earlier success appear to be connected to an event in 496 in which the Franks converted to the Roman Catholic version of Christianity, rather than the Arianism favored by other Germanic leaders. As such, the Roman religious establishment was less inclined to resist the Frankish takeover, thus making it easier for Clovis to conquer all of Gaul with the exception of Provence. Unfortunately in 511 Clovis was no more, and the kingdom was divided by his son into the Kingdoms of Reims, Orleans, Paris and Soissons. Not until 613 would Francia be reunited as a single entity.
| Mayors of the Palace Pepin of Heristhal Charles Martel Pepin the Short |
| Kings Pepin the Short Charlemagne |
The Carolingians[]
The Carolingians originally co-existed with the Merovingians. While the Merovingians reigned as Monarchs, the Carolingians governed the kingdom as Mayors of the Palace. That relationship ended in 751, when with the support of Pope Stephen II, Pepin the Short deposed the Merovingian Dynasty, and took the crown for himself.
References[]
- http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/firsteuro/frank.html
- http://www.vlib.us/medieval/lectures/franks_rise.html
- The Outline of History, H.G. Wells
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