= Francia = '''Francia''' was a kingdom in western Europe. <> ---- == History == The '''Franks''' were a set of allied Germanic tribes that settled along the Rhine. '''Clovis''', of the '''Merovingian''' dynasty, rapidly consolidated power to establish a '''Kingdom of the Franks'''. By 486 he conquered the '''Kingdom of Soissons''', a late [[WorldHistory/RomanEmpire|Roman]] kingdom that emerged from the '''diocese of Gaul'''. He united all Frankish tribes, and expanded into the territory of the neighboring '''Alemanni''' (alternatively ''Alamanni'') tribes. He vassalized the '''Kingdom of the Burgundians''' (or First Kingdom of Burgundy). He repeatedly warred with the '''Visigothic Kingdom''' and seized the northern half of their territory. And he established a capital in [[France/Paris|Paris]]. The kingdom then split into four kingdoms of '''Aquitaine''', '''Neustria''', '''Austrasia''', and '''Burgundy''' (a Second Kingdom of Burgundy). These kingdoms were generally administered by '''mayors of the palace''' rather than the ceremonial kings. Of these mayors, notably '''Pippin of Herstal''' led Austrasia, united all Frankish kingdoms, and established himself as duke. Pippin's son, '''Charles Martel''', inherited the duchy and briefly reigned without appointing a king. He conquered the '''Kingdom of Frisia'''; and vassalized the remaining tribes of Alamannia, the '''Duchy of Thuringia''', and the '''Duchy of Bavaria'''. He also repelled the invasion force of the '''Umayyad Caliphate'''. Charles's son, '''Pépin the Short''', negotiated a deal with [[WorldHistory/CatholicChurch|Pope Zachary]]. Pépin converted to Christianity. The last Merovingian heir was assassinated and Pépin was crowned king, establishing the [[WorldHistory/CarolingianDynasty|Carolingian dynasty]]. Pépin defended [[Italy/Rome|Rome]] from the rising '''Lombard Kingdom'''. And Pépin ceded several realms to the papacy, establishing the [[WorldHistory/CatholicChurch/PapalStates|Papal States]]. Pépin's sone, '''Charlemagne''', conquered Lombardy, the '''Saxon''' tribes, and the '''Kingdom of Brittany'''. He attempted to expand into the '''Avar Khaganate''' and Umayyad Caliphate, without much success. Much of his reign was spent suppressing rebellions across the empire, especially in Aquitaine, Lombardy, Bavaria, and Saxony. He convinced [[WorldHistory/CatholicChurch|Leo III]] to crown him as emperor of Rome, on account of [[WorldHistory/ByzantineEmpire/Irene|Irene]] (a woman) rising to the imperial throne. The '''Frankish Empire''' divided quickly. While [[WorldHistory/MiddleFrancia|Middle Francia]] was short-lived, [[WorldHistory/EastFrancia|East Francia]] became the foundation of [[Germany]] and [[WorldHistory/WestFrancia|West Francia]] became the foundation of [[France]]. ---- CategoryRicottone CategoryState