Charlemagne established his residence in from where he ruled his empire, which he organised into counties and .
were the territory of a city and were administered by Marks were border areas, with an army under the command of a

Charlemagne directly appointed the counts and marquises who had to swear to him. He also had the a kind of inspector who kept an eye on the most powerful counts, marquises and bishops.

After the death of Louis the Pious, the Empire was divided among his sons: received the western part, the eastern part, and inherited the title of emperor and the territory in between. The brothers fought against each other until they finally signed the in 843. When Lotarius died, his brothers divided the territory, thus creating the kingdom of France and the