Prehistoric/Early
Times Romans/Germanics
Early
Middle Ages
High
Middle
Ages Late
Middle Ages Reformation
Absolutism
French
Era Prussian
Era Imperial
Germany
Weimar
Republic
Nazi
Germany Federal
Republic
Early
Middle Ages (450-919)
The Frankish Realm
The Roman Empire, that from 395 onwards was divided into a West Roman and East Roman Empire, declined steadily. In 495, a Teutonic military commander took over the power in Rome and thereby put an end to the West Roman Empire.
The Merovingians (450-750)
The Francs, "the
Free" in their own language, or the "wild ones" as seen through the eyes of
the Romans, were a Teutonic tribe in the Northeast of today’s France, that in the
middle of the 4th century intervened in Europe’s history. In 450, the
Francs conquered Cologne and put an end to the Roman rule in the Rhineland. King Chlodwig
of the Merovingian dynasty (481-511) founded the Franconian Realm that covered large parts
of today’s France and Germany, and converted to Christianity.
In that time various villages were founded, whose names tell us a lot. Names that end on "-heim" or "-dorf" indicate the oldest Franconian settlements, whereas names ending on "-hofen" and "-inghoven" indicate younger ones. In one of the oldest villages, Niederdollendorf, a gravestone of the 7th century was found. Names that end on "-rott" or "-roth" are found among villages in the mountains which could only have been built after parts of the forests had been cleared (= "-roden" in German). Also village names that end on "-berg" (mountain) indicate that the village was situated in the mountains, and village names on "-bach" (stream) indicate a village that had been built close to a stream. Sometimes the name of the stream is found in some names, like for example Oberpleis, which was built in the valley of a stream called the Pleis.
The Carolingians (751-911)
After the decline of Merovingian dynasty, the Carolingians took over (751), the most famous among them being Charlemagne (768-814). Back then, the land belonged to the King. He divided his territory in counties, the "Gaue". Each "Gau" was administered by a count, who was appointed, and also dismissed at the King's whim. After Charlemagne’s death, the Empire was divided numerous times. By the end of the 9th century there was a Western Realm (the future France) and an Eastern realm (the future Germany). Charlemagne’s successors couldn’t prevent the loss of Royal properties to regional princes (the dukes and earls) , who thereby gained power and influence. The last Carolingian died in 911.
The Seven Mountains were part of the county "Auelgau". In a document from the year 893, a village named "vintre" is mentioned, that is derived from the Latin word for vineyard; obviously the Seven Mountains were a vine region already back then. In late Carolingian times Oberdollendorf and Römlinghoven were founded.