A Germanic-speaking people who invaded the western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. Dominating present-day northern France, Belgium, and western Germany, the Franks established the most powerful Christian kingdom of early medieval western Europe. The name France (Francia) is derived from their name. They originally settled to the east of the Rhine and expanded west from the later 3rd and early 4th centuries. The Frankish kingdom was increased in size by Clovis (481-511) to occupy much of Roman Gaul, but reached its greatest extent under Charlemagne. The archaeology of the Franks is best known from their cemeteries and the goods interred within them. Many Roman manufacturing industries were preserved by the Franks, but they introduced Germanic craftsmanship, arts, and building techniques.