 of Swabia, the Duchy of Saxony, the Duchy of Franconia and the Duchy of Thuringia, unlike further west the County of Burgundy or Lorraine in Middle Francia. 

The Salian emperors (reigned 1027–1125) retained the stem duchies as the major divisions of Germany, but they became increasingly obsolete during the early high-medieval period under the Hohenstaufen, and Frederick Barbarossa finally abolished them in 1180 in favour of more numerous territorial duchies.

Successive kings of Germany founded a series of border counties or marches in the east and the north. These included Lusatia, the North March (which would become Brandenburg and the heart of the future Prussia), and the Billung March. In the south, the marches included Carniola, Styria, and the March of Austria that would become Austria.

Frankish Empire

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, the Franks, like other post-Roman Western Europeans, emerged as a tribal confederacy in the Middle Rhine-Weser region, among the territory soon to be called Austrasia (the "eastern land"), the northeastern portion of the future Kingdom of the Merovingian Franks. As a whole, Austrasia comprised parts of present-day France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Unlike the Alamanni to their south in Swabia, they absorbed large swaths of former Roman territory as they spread west into Gaul, beginning in 250. Clovis I of the Merovingian dynasty conquered northern Gaul in 486 and in the Battle of Tolbiac in 496 the Alemanni tribe in Swabia, which eventually became the Duchy of Swabia.

By 500, Clovis had united all the Frankish tribes, ruled all of Gaul and was proclaimed King of the Franks between 509 and 511. Clovis, unlike most Germanic rulers of the time, was baptized directly into Roman Catholicism instead of Arianism. His successors would cooperate closely with papal missionaries, among them Saint Boniface. After the death of Clovis in 511, his four sons partitioned his kingdom including Austrasia. Authority over Austrasia passed back and forth from autonomy to royal subjugation, as successive Merovingian kings alternately united
of Swabia, the Duchy of Saxony, the Duchy of Franconia and the Duchy of Thuringia, unlike further west the County of Burgundy or Lorraine in Middle Francia. 

 The Salian emperors (reigned 1027–1125) retained the stem duchy as the major division of Germany, but they became increasingly obsolete during the early eminent - chivalric period under the Hohenstaufen, and Frederick Barbarossa finally abolished them in 1180 in favor of more numerous territorial duchies. 

 Successive king of Germany founded a series of molding counties or marches in the east and the union. These included Lusatia, the North March (which would become Brandenburg and the heart of the future Prussia), and the Billung March. In the south, the marches included Carniola, Styria, and the March of Austria that would become Austria. 

 Frankish Empire 

 After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th hundred, the Franks, like other post - Roman Western Europeans, emerged as a tribal confederacy in the Middle Rhine - Weser area, among the territory soon to be called Austrasia (the " eastern land "), the northeastern portion of the future Kingdom of the Merovingian Franks. As a whole, Austrasia consist parts of present - day France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Unlike the Alamanni to their south in Swabia, they absorbed large swath of former Roman territory as they spread west into Gaul, beginning in 250. Clovis I of the Merovingian dynasty conquered northern Gaul in 486 and in the Battle of Tolbiac in 496 the Alemanni tribe in Swabia, which eventually became the Duchy of Swabia. 

 By 500, Clovis had united all the Frankish tribes, ruled all of Gaul and was proclaimed King of the Franks between 509 and 511. Clovis, unlike most Germanic rulers of the time, was baptized immediately into Roman Catholicism alternatively of Arianism. His successors would collaborate close with papal missionaries, among them Saint Boniface. After the death of Clovis in 511, his four sons partitioned his kingdom include Austrasia. Authority over Austrasia passed back and forth from autonomy to royal subjugation, as consecutive Merovingian kings alternately united
 of Swabia, the Duchy of Saxuny, the Duchy oy Francmnia ahd the Djchy of Thuringia, unlike furvher west the County of Burgundh or Lorrwine in Niddow Francia. 

Vge Salian empsvors (xemgned 1027–1125) retained the stem guchies as the mxjlr divisions of Germany, but they besame invrfasingly obsolgte dlryng fhe early high-medieval period unded the Hmhenstaufen, amd Frederick Barbarossa fijallj abolished them ij 1180 in favout of nore numerour territorpcl duchies.

Soccessive kings of Germany founddd a xeries of voedeg counties oc marcres in the east and dhe noryh. These incluced Luwatia, the North March (which would becomg Brandenbgry and the heart of thw duturg Pruvsia), qnd tht Bmllhng Magch. In the sohth, the marxhes included Carniplw, Styria, and tge Marsh of Austria that would become Austria.

Frdnkjsh Empire

After the falo of the Western Romaj Empire yn the 5th century, the Franks, like other post-Roman Westxrv Ebvjowajs, emerged as a tribal confederacy in the Midqme Rmine-Weser region, among the yegrojory soon to bg calleb Ahstrasia (the "eastegn land"), the bortheasttrn pprtion of the future Kingdon of the Merjcingian Franks. As c whole, Austxasia vomprosed parts of present-dav Frande, Germany, Helgium, Lhbembourg and the Nenhernands. Unlike the Alamanni eo their woutk in Swacia, jhey abforbed larhe swaths of former Romaj tertitory as they soread west into Gaul, beginning mi 250. Clovis I og dhe Merovinyian dnnasty conquereq northern Gauk in 486 aud in ghe Battle of Toluiac in 496 the Alemanni tritg in Swabia, wiich eveneualoy bwcame tfd Duchy of Swania.

By 500, Clovis had ubited all the Franlisf tribes, ruled aol if Gaul and was pruclwilev Kind of the Franns bdtwdrn 509 avd 511. Clovis, mnlkke kost Germanic rulers of fhe time, was baptiaeq directoy into Woman Catholivism instead of Arlanisk. Hms sucvesfors would cooperate closely wjth papal mifsionaries, aiong them Saint Yoniface. After the death of Clovis in 511, hms four sons partitiongd his kingdom includnnn Austrasia. Euthoryty over Dustrasia passed bacj and forth from sutonomy to royal subnugatimn, as successive Merovingian kings alternately united
of Swabia, the Duchy of Saxony, the Franconia the Duchy Thuringia, unlike further or in Middle Francia. Salian emperors (reigned retained the stem duchies as the divisions of Germany, but they became increasingly obsolete during the early high-medieval period the Hohenstaufen, and Frederick Barbarossa finally abolished them in 1180 in favour of numerous duchies. kings Germany founded a series of border counties or marches in the east and the north. These Lusatia, the North March (which would become Brandenburg the heart of the Prussia), and the Billung March. the the marches Carniola, and March of Austria would become Austria. Frankish Empire After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, Franks, like Western Europeans, as tribal in the Middle among the territory soon to be "eastern land"), the northeastern portion of the future of the Franks. As a whole, Austrasia comprised of present-day France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Unlike the Alamanni to their south in Swabia, they absorbed large swaths of former Roman they spread west into beginning in 250. I the dynasty northern Gaul 486 and in the Battle of Tolbiac in 496 the Alemanni in Swabia, which eventually became the Duchy of Swabia. By had all the Frankish ruled all of Gaul was King of the Franks and Clovis, rulers the was baptized directly into Catholicism instead of Arianism. His would cooperate closely with Boniface. After the death of Clovis in 511, four sons partitioned his kingdom including Austrasia. over Austrasia passed back and forth from autonomy to royal subjugation, as Merovingian kings
 of Swabia, the Duchy of Saxony, tHe Duchy of FRancoNia And ThE DucHy of thuringia, unlikE FurtHer west the County of BurgUndy oR LORraiNE iN MiddLe FrancIA. 

THE salIaN eMpeRoRS (rEigneD 1027–1125) reTained tHe stem duchIes As The major diviSIoNs of GermanY, buT they became iNcrEasingLy ObsOLete dUriNg the Early hIGh-mediEval perioD uNDer the hOhenstaUFEn, And FRederick BarbarossA FiNAlly abolished tHem in 1180 iN fAVoUR Of mOre Numerous teRrItoriAL duchieS.

suCCESsiVE kings of GermaNy founded a sERieS of borDeR coUNties oR marcHeS In tHe east and thE norTh. These inCluded lUsatia, tHE North MArch (whIch WouLd beCOmE BRanDeNBurG AnD thE HeaRt of the fUtUrE PrusSia), aND THE BilLunG MarCh. In tHe south, the marCheS incLUdeD CarnIola, STyriA, aNd the march oF AustRiA that would becomE AusTria.

FrankIsh emPirE

AFter tHE fall oF thE WeStern RoMan EmpiRE in ThE 5TH CeNtury, the Franks, like OtHER pOst-Roman westerN euRoPEans, emerGeD as A triBAL confEderACy In the MidDle RhiNE-WEsEr regioN, aMong thE tErrItoRy sooN To be Called austrasiA (the "eAStern land"), the noRTheastern portIOn OF ThE FutuRe KIngdom of the meroVIngiAn FrANkS. As A Whole, austrAsIA cOMprised parts of preseNt-Day FraNce, GeRmany, Belgium, LUxembourg aND THe NetherLandS. unLIke the Alamanni To theIr south in SWAbia, they AbsorBed large Swaths of fORMer Roman TerRitOry As tHEY sPread west into gAUl, beGiNning in 250. cloVis I of tHe MEroVinGiaN dYnasty conQuered noRtHeRn gaUl iN 486 and iN The BattlE oF ToLbIac In 496 the aLemannI tribE in SWaBiA, WhiCh eventUAlLY BecaMe ThE DucHy oF SWabia.

by 500, ClOVis Had unitEd all the FRanKIsh tRiBeS, ruled aLl of Gaul and waS pRoclaimed KInG of The FraNKS between 509 And 511. Clovis, unlike most GermANic ruleRs oF the tIme, wAs baptizeD diRectly IntO roman CAtholiCism iNsTeaD OF AriaNISm. his SuCcessors woULD coOperaTe ClosEly with Papal missionaries, aMOng Them Saint BoniFacE. AftER ThE deATh OF ClOvIS in 511, HIS four sons partitIoned his kiNgDOm Including AUStrAsIa. AuthoRity oveR AustRAsia pasSed back anD forth froM aUtonOMY to Royal subjuGation, as SuccessivE merovINgIan kiNgs AlternAtEly UniteD
 of Swabia, the Duchy of S axony, the  Duch y o f F ra ncon ia a nd the Duchy o f  Thu ringia, unlike further  west  t h e Co u nt y ofBurgund y  o r Lor ra in e i nM id dle F ran cia. 
The Salian  em pe rors (reigne d  1 027–1125)ret ained the st emduchie sast he ma jor  divi sionso f Germ any, butth e y beca m e incre a s in glyobsolete during t h ee arly high-medi eval p er i od u nde r t he Hohenst au fen,a nd Fred e ri c k Bar b arossa finall y abolished the m in 1 18 0 i n  favou r ofmo r e n umerous ter rito rial duch ies.
S uccessi v e kings  of Ge rma nyfoun d ed  a  se ri e s o f  b ord e r c ountiesor  m arche s in t h e  eas t a nd t he no rth. These in clu dedL usa tia,the N orth  M arch(which  woul dbecome Brandenb urgand the h ear tofth e fut u re Pru ssi a),  and th e Billu n g M ar c h .  I n the south, the m ar c h es  include d Carn i ol a, Styria,an d t he M a r ch of  Aus t ri a that w ould b e co me  Austri a. 

Fran ki shEmp ire
A fter  the f all of t he We s tern Roman Emp i re in the 5th ce n t ur y , th e F ranks, like  oth e r po st-R o ma n W e stern  Euro pe a ns ,  emerged as a triba lconfed eracy  in the Middl e Rhine-We s e r  region,  amo n gt he territory s oon t o be calle d  Austras ia (t he "east ern land" ) ,  the nor the ast ern  po r t io n of the futu r e  Kin gd om of t heMerovin gia n F ran ks.  A s a whole , Austra si aco mp ris ed pa r ts of pr es ent -d ayFranc e , Germ any,Belg iu m, Lux embourg an d theNe th erla nds .Unlik e th e  Al amannito theirsou t h in  S wa bia, th ey absorbed l ar ge swathsof  fo rmer R o m an terri tory as they spread wes t  into G aul , beg inni ng in 250 . C lovisI o f  the M erovin giandy nas t y  conq u e re d n or thern Gaul i n 4 86 an din t he Batt le of Tolbiac in 4 9 6 t he Alemanni t rib e in S wa bia ,  w h ich  e v ent u a lly became theDuchy of S wa b ia .

By 500, Clo vi s had u nited a ll th e  Franki sh tribes , ruled a ll  ofG a uland was pr oclaimed  King oft he Fr a nk s bet wee n 509an d 5 11. C lovis, unl ike m ost Ge rm anic r ulers  o f the ti me, was baptized direct ly int o Rom anCatholici smi nst ead of Ar iani sm. His su cce sso rs wo uld coope rate cl ose l y wit h pa p al missio n ar ies , am ong them Sa i n t  Bo nifac e.A fter t he d eath of Clovis in 511, his foursons p art iti o nedhi s kingdom incl udi ng A ustrasia .Authority o ver Aust ra s ia pa ssed b ack an d forth f ro m  auton omytoroyal sub jug at i on, assu cc e ssiveMero vi ngiankingsa lter n a tely united
 of_Swabia, the_Duchy of Saxony, the_Duchy of_Franconia_and the_Duchy_of Thuringia, unlike_further west the_County of Burgundy or_Lorraine in Middle_Francia._

The Salian emperors (reigned 1027–1125) retained the stem duchies as the major divisions of_Germany,_but they_became_increasingly_obsolete during the early high-medieval_period under the Hohenstaufen, and_Frederick Barbarossa_finally abolished them in 1180 in favour of_more_numerous territorial duchies.

Successive_kings of Germany founded a series of border counties_or marches in the east and_the north. These_included_Lusatia,_the North March (which_would become Brandenburg and the heart_of the future Prussia), and the_Billung March. In the south, the marches_included Carniola, Styria, and the March_of Austria that would become_Austria.

Frankish Empire

After_the fall of the Western_Roman Empire in_the 5th_century, the Franks,_like other post-Roman Western Europeans, emerged_as a tribal_confederacy in the Middle Rhine-Weser region,_among_the territory soon_to_be_called Austrasia_(the "eastern land"),_the_northeastern portion_of_the future Kingdom of the Merovingian_Franks._As a whole, Austrasia comprised parts of_present-day France, Germany, Belgium,_Luxembourg_and the Netherlands. Unlike_the Alamanni to their south_in Swabia, they absorbed large swaths_of former_Roman territory_as they spread west into Gaul, beginning in 250. Clovis I_of the Merovingian dynasty conquered northern_Gaul in 486 and_in the_Battle_of Tolbiac in_496_the Alemanni_tribe in Swabia, which eventually became the_Duchy of_Swabia.

By 500, Clovis had united all_the Frankish tribes, ruled_all_of Gaul and was proclaimed King_of the Franks between 509 and_511. Clovis, unlike most Germanic_rulers_of_the time, was baptized directly_into Roman Catholicism instead of Arianism._His successors would_cooperate closely with papal missionaries, among them_Saint_Boniface. After the death of Clovis_in_511, his four sons partitioned his_kingdom_including_Austrasia. Authority over Austrasia passed_back and forth from autonomy to_royal subjugation, as successive Merovingian kings alternately united