Francorum

Francorum is a Latin term meaning “of the Franks,” used in Roman and medieval Latin to refer to the Frankish people, their leaders, or their realm. The form appears in chronicles, charters, and theological works to denote things belonging to or associated with the Franks.

The Franks were a Germanic confederation from the Rhine region who asserted control over Gaul during the 5th century. Under Clovis I (c. 466–511) the Frankish realm unified and adopted Catholic Christianity, aligning with Rome; this established the foundation of the Kingdom of the Franks (Regnum Francorum). The Merovingian dynasty ruled until the 8th century, followed by the Carolingians, who expanded the realm and laid the groundwork for the Holy Roman Empire. The Latin term Francorum is common in sources describing kings such as rex Francorum and territories like Regnum Francorum or Francia.

Later usage and legacy: The Frankish realm formed the basis for medieval Francia and was later divided into East and West Francia after the Treaty of Verdun (843). West Francia evolved into what became France, while East Francia became the core of the Holy Roman Empire and later Germany. The term Francorum is thus part of the Latin historiography that shaped medieval perceptions of early Frankish power. The Franks contributed to the Christianization of Western Europe, the development of feudal institutions, and the linguistic evolution that would influence French and other Romance languages.