East Francia

Quick Facts: Who was East Francia?

Subject:

East Francia

Known for:

Successor state to the Carolingian Empire, forming the core territory that became modern Germany.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

East Francia (Latin: Francia orientalis) or the Kingdom of the East Franks (Regnum Francorum orientalium) was a successor state of the Carolingian Empire ruled by the Carolingian dynasty until 911. It was established through the 843 Treaty of Verdun which divided the former kingdom of Francia into three kingdoms: Francia Orientalis (the East Frankish kingdom); Francia Media (the Middle Frankish kingdom); and Francia Occidentalis (the West Frankish kingdom). The east–west division with the Treaty of Verdun, enforced by the Germanic-Latin language split, "gradually hardened into the establishment of separate kingdoms", with East Francia becoming (or being) the Kingdom of Germany, and West Francia becoming the Kingdom of France. The term "Francia", land of the Franks (also known as the "Kingdom of the Franks"), was commonly used to refer to the empire. The ruling dynasty was Frankish, although its inhabitants were mostly non-Frankish Germanic tribes.

Career & Major Achievements

The Kingdom of Germany was mostly Germanic-speaking East Francia, especially after the kingship passed from Frankish kings to the Saxon Ottonian dynasty in 919. The term orientalis Francia originally referred to Franconia and orientales Franci to its inhabitants, the ethnic Franks living east of the Rhine. The use of the term in a broader sense, to refer to the eastern kingdom, was an innovation of Louis the German's court. Since eastern Francia could be identified with old Austrasia, the Frankish heartland, Louis's choice of terminology hints at his ambitions. Under his grandson Arnulf of Carinthia the terminology was largely dropped, and the kingdom was simply known as Francia.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

When it was necessary, as in the 921 Treaty of Bonn with the West Franks, the "eastern" qualifier appeared. Henry I refers to himself as rex Francorum orientalium, "king of the East Franks", in the treaty. By the 12th century, historian Otto of Freising in using the Carolingian terminology, had to explain that the "eastern kingdom of the Franks" (orientale Francorum regnum) was "now called the kingdom of the Germans" (regnum Teutonicorum). In August 843, after three years of civil war following the death of Emperor Louis the Pious on 20 June 840, the Treaty of Verdun was signed by his three sons and heirs. The division of lands was largely based on the Meuse, Scheldt, Saone and Rhone rivers.

Notable Quotes by East Francia

“Fiat, fiat! (Let it be done!)”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: East Francia

True or False: “The division of Francia into three kingdoms was finalized by the Treaty of Verdun in 843.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The treaty divided the former kingdom of Francia among Louis's three sons: Lothair I, Charles the Bald, and Louis the German.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• East Germany — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A communist state in Central Europe, existing from 1949 until reunification with West Germany in 1990.
• East India Company — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: English joint-stock company that dominated trade in the Indian Ocean and Asia.
• East Pakistan — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The eastern province of Pakistan (1956–1971) that became Bangladesh.
• East Timor genocide — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Systematic Indonesian campaign of killings and repression against East Timorese (1975-1999).
• East Timorese rebellion of 1911–12 — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A major East Timorese uprising (1911–1912) against Portuguese taxation and forced labor.
• East Turkestan independence movement — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A political movement advocating for the independence of East Turkestan from China.

Frequently Asked Questions about East Francia