European political map in the Early Middle Ages (476-ca.1000) saw dramatic changes. The first phase of the Migration Period (ca. 300-500) and collapse of the Western Roman Empire was followed by the emergence of Germanic kingdoms in Central, Western and South Europe most of which were short-lived.

The realm of the Franks which later came to be known as the Carolingian Empire emerged as the strongest of all early medieval Germanic kingdoms and greatly expanded its power and territory on the expense of other early medieval political units. It reached its height during the reign of Charlemagne (481-511) when it incorporated much of Central and Western Europe.

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