The Merovingians ruled the Franks until the 8th century, when they were overthrown by the Carolingians. The Carolingians were another Germanic people who had settled in Gaul. They were led by Pepin the Short, who became king of the Franks in 751. Pepin's son, Charlemagne, would become one of the most powerful rulers in European history.
Charlemagne's reign marked the high point of the Carolingian dynasty. He expanded the Frankish kingdom to include much of western and central Europe. He also encouraged the spread of Christianity and established a system of government that would serve as a model for later medieval kingdoms.
After Charlemagne's death in 814, the Carolingian Empire began to decline. It was divided into three kingdoms: East Francia, West Francia, and Middle Francia. These kingdoms would eventually become the modern countries of France, Germany, and Italy.
The decline of the Carolingian Empire led to a period of instability in western Europe. The region was plagued by invasions from the Vikings, the Muslims, and the Magyars. These invasions weakened the central governments of the region and led to the rise of feudalism.
Feudalism was a political and economic system in which land was exchanged for military service. Feudal lords granted land to their vassals, who in return promised to provide military support. This system helped to create a more stable social order, but it also led to the fragmentation of political power.
The Dark Ages ended in the 11th century with the rise of the Holy Roman Empire and the beginning of the Crusades. These events marked the beginning of a new era in European history, the High Middle Ages.