The Franks were the strongest barbarian tribe in AD 768 under the rule of Christian leader named Clovis, because they had conquered Gaul, which we now know as France. In the late 700s, a leader named Charlemagne appeared. He was already a strong king and a fierce warrior, which made him an even better leader. Under Charlemagne's rule, the Frankish Empire had expanded into Germany, Austria, Italy, and northern Spain. Because Charlemagne had conquered parts of the former Roman Empire, Pope Leo III (after becoming allies with Charlemagne when he had rescued him from invaders) crowned Charlemagne Emperor of the Romans on Christmas Day in AD 800. Aside from conquering land, Charlemagne did other helpful things for his empire. he was known for building schools across Europe. These schools were known for having the best religious scholars and teachers of the Middle Ages, which advanced religious and social life in Europe. After Charlemagne’s death in AD 814, his son Louis the Pious took the throne. The Frankish Empire fell when Louis the Pious’ children, Louis II, Lothair, and Charles the Bald fought over the throne and from invasions from the Vikings, Muslims, and Magyars.
Above is a map of the Frankish Empire from AD 768 to AD 814. Dark purple indicates Frankish Empire AD 768 and light purple indicates where Charlemagne expanded before his death in AD 814.