Gaul or france?

Question

Hi I just wanted to know if modern day france was called france or gaul in 500-1400 c.e.?Im doing a school report about france in this time period, and im afraid i messed up cause all my note cards are about gaul.

Answer 1

The use of the name Gaul was kept until the end of the Merovingian period, during the 8th century, at least in writing. The use of the name of Francie/Francia to name the kingdom of the Franks spread slowly during the next period (the Carolingian era started by Pepin the short in 751).

The two names do no really cover the same area. Gaul was Belgium, France and Northern Italy, Francie was smaller.  

So you can change the name mid report and say why if you want to be precise, or just say you're calling it France for easier reporting but it was in fact called Gaul until the Carolingian period... blah... blah... blah...

Answer 2

Jlius Caesar wrote this in " the war of the Gauls "

"Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres, quarum unam incolunt Belgae, aliam Aquitani, tertiam qui ipsorum lingua Celtae, nostra Galli appellantur."

From the VIIIth century Charlemagne ( Carolus Magnus / Karl der Grosse ) who is a franconian king - Franconia is the northern part of Lorraine - gives a name to the Gaules : France -

The word Gallia had disappeared very quickly, Rome having very quickly lost any authority because of the barbarian waves of invasion

http://membres.lycos.fr/ignacel/comtes.h...

Until today the variations of the french territory more or less remain in the same natural limits - North Sea - Channel - Atlantic - Pyrenees- Mediterranea- Alps - Jura - Rhein - Ardennes -

Wasup would you kindly tell me if you're the author of the downthumb ??? Does truth disturb anybody among other answerers ? Shall I correct the mass of stupidities written by my neighbours wanting to play "experts" ?

Answer 3

It looks to be a gradual change until Hugh Capet became King of the Franks in 987. Your notes and the source should help you to describe it as you wish.

I am sure you know that the borders of Gaulic lands were not exactly the same as modern France

Answer 4

Modern day France did not exist in the period from 500-1400 C.E.

Instead there existed a large number of more or less independent entities which acknowledged a very weak feudal bond to the "French" king. (Weak enough that his feudal vassals were frequently at war with him. The English King was theoretically his vassal yet also claimed to be the legitimate King of France himself)

Not until the expulsion of the English and the annexation of most of Burgundy can there be said to be something like modern day France and this did not occur until the very end of the 15th century.

It would make more sense to refer to the entire conglomeration as "The Frankish Kingdom" rather than "France" during the period you have described.