The Frankish Empire
The Franks or Frankish people were one of many Germanic federations. Within these federations membership was constantly changing. Historical findings suggest that the Franks were formed of the Salians (from whence comes Salic Law), Sicambri, Chamavi, Tencteri, Chattuarii, Bructeri, Usipetes, Ampsivarii, Chatti.
Entering the Roman Empire from the north the Franks quickly absorbed the nascent Jervan people, who remained a part of the Frankish Empire until the dissolution following Charlemagne's death. The Jervan people proved a thorn in the Frank's side, insisting on the speaking of "proper" Latin, what was quickly becoming Jovian. Taking control of the Rhine river valley in what was to become the Batavian Kingdom and France's Walloon region, the Franks were accepted as a foederati in AD 360. This region gradually grew into what became known as Francia, covering most of modern-day France, the High Kingdom of Jervaine, the Batavian Kingdom, and the western regions of the Holy Roman Empire. The conversion of the Frankish king Clovis I by missionaries from Cambria and Rome in the late 5th century to Christianity was a crucial event in the history of Europe.
Through the centuries the Empire underwent many partitions and repartitions as the Franks would divide the land among their heirs, treating their kingdoms more as private property than res publica. Because of this practice, defining territorial boundaries remains a difficult proposition. The Franks were replaced by the Merovingians and later the Carolingians.
The Franks remained friendly to Rome and the Roman Empire for much of their rule, and in 451, General Aëtius called upon the Franks and other allies on Roman soil to help fight off an invasion by Attila the Hun. The Franks answered the call and helped push back the attack.
The Merovingian line who ruled from 511 until 751 was weak and lackadaisical, and because of their infighting were not a force to interfere with the Kingdom of Kemr to the north, yet neither were they a help as the Kemrese fought off the invading Angles, Saxons and Jutes.
The Franks maintained control over much of Central and Western Europe, gradually increasing their reach, with Charlemagne eventually being recognized as Emperor of the 'Holy Roman Empire,' although this claim was disputed by the Princes of Cambria. Charlemagne made stringent efforts to contain the Muslim invaders in Hispania, eventually securing and losing what would become Navarra.
At Charlemagne's death, the kingdom was divided between his sons, following Salic custom, giving rise to the states that would bring France, the Holy Roman Empire, Jervaine, the Batavian Kingdom and even Helvetia into existence. Helvetia, however, was only shortly under the control of the Franks, and just as quickly reverted to self-rule with the furor that Helvetians have come to be known for.
