From the 6th century, the Franks, a Germanic people, gradually moved in from the west, absorbing first the Burgundians, then bringing the Alamans and later the Langobards under their rule.

Two succcessive Frankish dynasties - the Merovingians, then the Carolingians - presided over a lengthy period of peace, culminating in the reign of Charlemagne (742 - 814), after whom the latter dynasty was named. However, Charlemagne's empire was divided up again several times in the 9th century after the death of his son Louis.

By 917 the eastern and central parts of present-day Switzerland were part of the Duchy of Swabia, and the western part was part of the Kingdom of Burgundy.

It was only in 1032 that all the territory which is now Swiss came once again under a single supreme ruler, the German Emperor.