Military History of The Netherlands - The Franks

The Franks

The Franks or the Frankish people were one of several west Germanic federations. The confederation was formed out of Germanic tribes: Salians, Sugambri, Chamavi, Tencteri, Chattuarii, Bructeri, Usipetes, Ampsivarii, Chatti. They entered the late Roman Empire from the present day Netherlands and northern Germany and conquered northern Gaul where they were accepted as a foederati and established a lasting realm (sometimes referred to as Francia) in an area that covers most of modern-day France and the western regions of Germany (Franconia, Rhineland, Hesse) and the whole of the Low Countries, forming the historic kernel of the two modern countries. The conversion to Christianity of the pagan Frankish king Clovis was a crucial event in the history of Europe. Like the French and Germans, the Dutch also claim the military history of the Franks as their own.

Battle of Soissons (486)

• The Franks under Clovis I defeat the last Roman army in Gaul.

Battle of Tolbiac (496)

• The Franks under Clovis I defeat the Alamanni tribe.

Battle of Vouillé (507)

• The Franks under Clovis I defeat the Visigoths under Alaric II, the conqueror of Spain. (As a result of these victories, the domains of Clovis quadruple)

Battle of Tours (732)

• One of the most celebrated victories in Western history, the Franks under Charles 'the Hammer' Martel defeated a large Islamic invading force. Historians have debated whether it had the enormous significance that is often claimed, but it was nonetheless a huge symbolic victory .

Battle of Pavia (773)

• The Franks under Charlemagne defeat the Lombards, led by the Frankish king Desiderius, in Italy.

Saxon Campaigns (773-804)

• The Franks under Charlemagne repeatedly subdue over three decades of Saxon insurrections.

Siege of Paris (885-886)

• With 200 men defending Paris, the Western Franks manage to halt and, when outside help arrived, defeat a Viking invasion force of 30,000.