The Franks (Latin: Franci or gens Francorum; German: Franken; French: Francs) were a western European people during the Roman Empire and Early Middle Ages. They began as a Germanic people who lived near the Lower Rhine, on the northern continental frontier of the empire. They subsequently expanded their power and influence during the Middle Ages, until much of the population of western Europe, particularly in and near France, were commonly described as Franks, for example in the context of their joint efforts during the Crusades starting in the 11th century.[1] This expansion came about because the romanized Frankish dynasties based within the collapsing Western Roman Empire first became the rulers of the whole region between the rivers Loire and Rhine, and then subsequently imposed power over many other post-Roman kingdoms both inside and outside the old empire.
Although the Frankish name does not appear until the 3rd century, at least some of the original Frankish tribes had long been known to the Romans under their own names, both as allies providing soldiers, and as enemies. The term is first used to describe the tribes working together to raid Roman territory. Frankish peoples subsequently living inside Rome's frontier on the Rhine river are often divided by historians into two groups – the Salian Franks to the west, who came south via the Rhine delta; and the Ripuarian or Rhineland Franks to the east, who eventually conquered the Roman frontier city of Cologne and took control of the left bank of the Lower Rhine in that region.
In the middle of the 5th century, Childeric I, a Salian Frankish king, was one of several military leaders commanding Roman forces with various ethnic affiliations in the northern part of what is now France. He and his son Clovis I founded the Merovingian dynasty which succeeded in unifying most of Gaul under its rule during the 6th century following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, as well as establishing leadership over all the Frankish kingdoms on or near the Rhine frontier. The dynasty subsequently gained control over a significant part of what is now western and southern Germany. It was by building upon the basis of this Merovingian empire that the subsequent dynasty, the Carolingians, eventually came to be seen as the new emperors of Western Europe in 800, when Charlemagne was crowned by the pope.
In 870 the Frankish realm came to be permanently divided between western and eastern kingdoms, which were the predecessors of the future Kingdom of France and Holy Roman Empire respectively. It is the western kingdom whose inhabitants eventually came to be known as "the French" (French: Les Français, German: Die Franzosen, Dutch: De Fransen, etc.) and this kingdom is the forerunner of the nation state of France. However, in various historical contexts, such as during the medieval crusades, not only the French, but also people from neighbouring regions in Western Europe, continued to be referred to collectively as Franks. The crusaders in particular had a lasting impact on the use of Frank-related names for Western Europeans in many non-European languages.[2][3][4]
into two groups – the Salian Franks to the west, who came south via the Rhine delta; and the Ripuarian or Rhineland Franks to the east, who eventually...
The Salian Franks, also called the Salians (Latin: Salii; Greek: Σάλιοι, Salioi), were a northwestern subgroup of the early Franks who appear in the historical...
Middle East. Franks succeeded General Anthony Zinni to this position on 6 July 2000 and served until his retirement on 7 July 2003. Franks was the United...
School, Franks appeared alongside fellow All Blacks Colin Slade and Matt Todd, as well as former Crusaders Nasi Manu and Tim Bateman. Franks made his...
Robert Franks may refer to: Bobby Franks (1909–1924), American murder victim of Leopold and Loeb Bob Franks (1951–2010), U.S. Representative from New Jersey...
Francia. The idea of a "King of the Franks" (Rex Francorum) gradually disappeared. The title "King of the Franks" is attested in the Kingdom of France...
Beans and franks or franks and beans, also known regionally[where?] by the brand name Beanee Weenees, is a dish that can be a main course or a side. Often...
transferred to Arkansas for his final season. Franks joined the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Franks attended Wakulla High School in Crawfordville...
occasions. Ben Franks along with younger brother Owen run their own gym in Christchurch, New Zealand called "Franks Brothers Gym". Franks is extremely strong...
III some Franks supported the usurper Jovinus (411). Jovinus was dead by 413, but the Romans found it increasingly difficult to manage the Franks within...
Rodriguez) "Shawn (and Gus) of the Dead" (Franks also directed) "Ghosts" "Six Feet Under the Sea" (Franks also directed) "Tuesday the 17th" (with Rodriguez)...
Daniel Franks may refer to: Daniel "Bubba" Franks (born 1978), American football player Daniel Franks (BMX rider) (born 1993), New Zealand BMX rider Daniel...
Bloodhound Gang. James Moyer Franks was born in Trappe, Pennsylvania, the son of Alice Ann (born Moyer) and Richard Lee Franks. He is of German and Native...
Wiseman. Franks shares memories, musical performances, visits to movie sets and premieres from his career on his YouTube channel - Randall Franks TV. He...
that it would investigate allegations of sexual harassment against Franks. Franks had repeatedly asked two female staffers to bear his children as surrogate...
Camilla Franks (born 14 March 1976) is an Australian fashion designer, known for her bright kaftan designs and resort-wear. Born in Sydney, Franks' mother...
Chloe Franks (born 1 September 1963) is a British actress, best known for her appearances as little girls in British films of the 1970s. Franks was born...
Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks KCB FRS FSA (20 March 1826 – 21 May 1897) was a British antiquarian and museum administrator. Franks was described by Marjorie...
head of MI6, said: “He [Franks] was extremely effective yet also sensitive, intelligent and a most delightful man.” "Sir Dick Franks obituary". The Times...
Michael or Mike Franks may refer to: Michael Franks (musician) (born 1944), American jazz singer and songwriter Michael Franks (album), his eponymous album...
Look up frank in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Frank or Franks may refer to: Frank (given name) Frank (surname) Franks (surname) Franks, a Germanic...
Christine Franks (born 16 August 1967) is an English actress. She is best known for her role as Rainie Cross in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders. Franks worked...
The Franks replaced those older tribes in the record and most probably represent a new alliance of all or some of them. These independent Franks crossed...
[citation needed] As King of the Franks, Pepin embarked on an ambitious program to expand his power. He reformed the Franks' legislation and continued Boniface's...
Frankish: *Hlodowig; c. 466 – 27 November 511) was the first king of the Franks to unite all of the Frankish tribes under one ruler, changing the form of...
Festival. The film festival culminated in 2016 with Franks' production of The Hispanic Women's Project. Franks was the first wife of Jethro Tull frontman Ian...
or Jimmy Franks may refer to: Jimmy Franks (ice hockey) (1914–1994), Canadian ice hockey goaltender Jimmy Pop (born 1972), born James Franks, US musician...