• The Franks or the Frankish
people were one of several west
Germanic federations.
•
•
The Franks began as a number of
Germanic tribes that migrated from
northern Europe into Gaul. This is
where the country of France is today
and the name for France comes from
the Franks.
The word Frank (Frank or Francus)
means "free" in the language of the
Franks, as the Franks were not
dominated by the Roman Empire or
any other people.
• The powerful and long-lasting
dynasties established by the Franks
ruled over an area covering most of
the present-day countries of
France, Belgium and the
Netherlands, as well as the
Franconia region of Germany.
• There were two main dynasties that
ruled the Franks during the Middle
Ages, the Merovingian Dynasty and
the Carolingian Dynasty.
In many ways the Franks were at the
heart of the culture of the Middle
Ages. It was the Franks who
developed
the
concept
of
the knight and the feudal system.
Frankish Knight
One of the most powerful units of the
Frankish army was the heavily armored
cavalry. These soldiers became known as
knights. Because metal armor and war horses
were so expensive, only the very wealthy
could afford to become knights. Knights were
often awarded land for their services at war.
This helped to develop the feudal system.
Feudal System
Under the feudal system, the land was
divided up among knights or lords. In return
for the land, the knights pledged to fight for
the king. This land was known as a fief and
both the land and the title of knight were
often inherited by the oldest son.
• What is the importance of the Franks?
• Franks (Franci), a Germanic people who conquered Gallia (Gaul), and made it Francia
(France). Their adoption of Gallo-Roman Catholic culture was the seed of French
civilization and, hence, that of medieval and modern western Europe.
• How did the Franks impact the world?
• They laid the foundation for the Kingdom of France, secured the Pope's position as the
leader of Christians in Western Europe, and led indirectly to the medieval institution of
a Holy Roman Empire ruled by Germans.
Catholicism
Christianization of the
Franks was the process of
converting the pagan
Franks
to Catholicism during the
late 5th century and early
6th century.
• The Frankish Empire did not
fall. It was divided into three
during the Treaty of Verdun in
1843
by
Charlemagne's
grandsons. The Western thirst
of the empire eventually
evolved into the Kingdom of
France. The other two thirds
eventually merged to become
the Holy Roman Empire.
LEONELO SIERRA
TOMAS ESPINOSA
ADRIANA SEBA
7th grade
HISTORY