Which Germanic peoples settled in different parts of Gaul during the 5th century?

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During the 5th century, several Germanic peoples established themselves in various regions of Gaul as the Roman Empire’s control disintegrated:

  • Franks: Originally settled in the northeast, they solidified their hold on what is now Belgium and northeastern France before expanding under Clovis I to unify northern Gaul by the end of the century.12
  • Visigoths: They settled in Aquitania (Aquitaine) and expanded their influence to include Provence and much of Spain. By the late 5th century, under King Euric, they controlled a vast territory stretching from the Loire River to the Pyrenees.345
  • Burgundians: They established themselves in the RhĆ“ne valley, expanding westward from Sapaudia (modern-day Savoy).34
  • Alemanni: This group occupied Alsace and moved westward into the region situated between the Frankish and Burgundian territories.4

Additionally, during this period, the first British immigrants began settling on the Armorican peninsula, known today as Brittany. While these groups exerted significant political and military control, the underlying Gallo-Roman social and administrative structures remained remarkably resilient throughout the century.43