Where did the Franks (Germanic tribe) live?

Question

I am doing a project on Charlemagne, and it keeps mentioning the Franks. Where did these people live? And if anyone has any useful and easy to understand biographies of Charlemagne, they would be much appreciated!

Answer 1

When you refer to the Franks as the Germanic Tribe their homeland contains the areas known historically as Austrasia and Neustria which correspond roughly to the Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxebourg) region today and Northwestern France today. The territory of the Franks under Charlemagne expanded from the Pyrenees ("The Spanish March"), Italy as far south as Rome and all of modern Germany. After Charlemagne's death his kingdom was ruled by his son, then by his three Grandsons (see the Treaty of Verdun). What is significant is that the Franks were one of several barbarian tribes who were able to successfully conquer those other tribes around them (such as the Saxons and Avars) and also gain legitimacy from the Papacy. It was a big deal when Clovis was baptized and the Franks became a Catholic people and his successors (aka "The Mayors of the Palace" - Charlemagne's line aka the Carolingians) started taking over from the Meroviginians (the dynasty prior to Charlemagne). Perhaps the main reason for Charlemagne being crowned Emperor of the Romans (previously he was King of the Franks) was because the Byzantines (ruling in Constantinople) were no longer able to protect the Papacy from the Lombards (Barbarians in Northern Italy) and the Franks were willing and able to provide that protection. In fact Charlemagne sent envoys to Constantinople in hopes of marrying the Empress Irene (and how history would be different if that went through...). Charlemagne's "Holy Roman Empire" would go on to become Capetian France and then another Holy Roman Empire ruled by the Saxon (or Ottonian) Dynasty centered in modern Germany (called East Francia).

As far as biographies of Charlemagne go, the primary source material comes from Einhard (Vita Karoli Magni or the Life of Charlemagne) who was his servant and Notker the Stammerer who was a Monk who wrote tales and stories about events around the life of Charlemagne. These works are collected together. They're translated into English but being primary sources you'll probably need to be patient.

The book I used for my college history thesis is Charlemagne by Roger Collins (http://www.amazon.com/Charlemagne-Roger-Collins/dp/0802082181/ref=sr_1_1/104-9070732-2742361?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182398362&sr=8-1)
which was very useful and would be my recommendation. A review of this book is available here: http://www.history.ac.uk/reviews/paper/innesMatthew.html

Answer 2

Where Did The Franks Live

Answer 3

Franks = France

The Franks were loosely confederated germanic tribes closely related to the Germani in Germany. Charlemagne was the grandson of Clovis, who united the Frankish tribes and expanded their territory to cover most of today's France. He also forced his people to become Christians.

Go to the History Channel site for more information: http://www.history.com/search.do?searchText=franks

You can also read some good material here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franks

Answer 4

The Franks lived in the area of the Rhine River.One group of the Franks called the Sallans invaded Gaul around A.D.500. They founded a large and successful kingdom and gave origin to the name France.

Answer 5

The history channel did a special on the Franks not too long ago. I believe it was part of their Barbarians II series. Try their website history.com for information and you can order the episode on dvd, too.

Answer 6

Sveas? -- Some rumors about the Goths (Gothenburg, Götland etc)

Answer 7

France, Loire valley
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/gregory-hist.html
and
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/gregory-hist.html#brehaut

Answer 8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlemagne

Hope this helps :)