520. Warlords of the West: Barbarian Heirs of Rome (Part 1)

In this episode of The Rest Is History, the focus is on the Franks, a Germanic confederation that significantly contributed to the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the rise of Francia, which is present-day France. The conversation explores the Franks' journey, starting from their early encounters with the Romans as frontier tribes to their ascent under Clovis. Clovis adeptly merged Roman governance with Frankish military strength and Christian beliefs to forge a new kingdom. The episode also delves into the legendary beginnings of the Merovingian dynasty and highlights the unexpected impact of Saint Martin of Tours on the consolidation of Frankish power.