Frank-Pledge

Joint suretyship of the members of the Saxon Tithing, for the peace and good order of the community. Franks. Confederacy of German tribes in 3d century, living mostly on left bank of the Rhine below Alsace. Julian granted them land s. of the Meuse 358, and many took service under the Romans. By 429 they had reached the Loire. They helped at Chalons 451 to repel the invasion of Attila. Under Clovis, 496, the Salian F. became masters of n. Gaul and adopted the Christian faith.