Franks

Germanic people who settled in the region of the River Rhine in the 3rd century. In the late 5th century, under Clovis I, they overthrew the remnants of Roman rule in Gaul and established the Merovingian Empire. This was divided into the kingdoms of Austrasia, Neustria and Burgundy, but was reunited by the Carolingians, notably by Charlemagne. The partition of his empire into the East and West Frankish kingdoms is the origin of Germany and France.

World Encyclopedia. Philip's, 2005