9th-century France

In the 9th century, France was a part of the Carolingian Empire, which was established by Charlemagne. After his death in 814, the empire fractured into smaller kingdoms due to internal conflicts and Viking invasions. This period saw the rise of feudalism, where local lords gained power over lands and peasants. The Treaty of Verdun in 843 divided the empire among Charlemagne’s grandsons, leading to the emergence of distinct regions that would later form modern France. Despite political instability, this era laid the groundwork for the cultural and social developments that would shape France in the following centuries.