Francia, Historical kingdom in Western Europe, France
Francia was a kingdom that extended across Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Austria, and parts of Germany. The territory operated under different legal codes, with Salic Law particularly governing the Salian Franks.
The kingdom arose when the Franks crossed the Roman frontier in the 5th century and established their first capital in Tournai. Power later shifted to Paris, from which the realm continued its expansion.
Merovingian kings displayed their royal status through long hair, and cutting this hair signified they were unfit to rule. This tradition shaped how the ruling family understood its own authority.
Understanding this historical region requires knowledge of its different territories and their separate administrative systems. Those interested in the period should familiarize themselves with how these areas functioned independently.
The kingdom divided into four main regions: Austrasia, Neustria, Burgundy, and Aquitaine, each functioning as largely independent administrative units. This division resulted in different developments and made the realm more of an assembly than a unified state.
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