THE CRAFT GUILDS OF FRANCE.
i8o
During the latter part of the fourth century the invasions of Gallic territory by the
Germans became of constant occurrence but the tribes did not succeed in effecting at any
Ou the last day of the year 405, however, the Ehine was crossed
time a permanent footing.
;
by a host of barbarians
— Alans, Sueviaus, Vandals, and Burgundians— who never retraced their
like an avalanche, dispersed in Spain.
Many of their
steps, but passing through the country
warriors remained behind in France, chiefly in the southern parts, and settled in the country
These
having pillaged the cities en route, but by no means destroyed them.
barbarians soon became the allies of the Eomans, and, from preserving their own usages
and customs, including their dislike to a town life, only added one more ingredient to the
districts,
complex materials of the Gallic structure. In 428 the Franks penetrated as far as the Somme,
but were repulsed by Aetius.
They ultimately settled in the country, chiefly in the northThe Visigoths also effected a settlement but, like all the others, submitted
central provinces.
;
to a faint coating of civilisation,
case, that in
451 we
and became the
find all these tribes,
uniting with the Gauls and
allies of
the Eomans.
So
much was
and more especially the Visigoths under
Eomans under
this the
Tlieodoric,
Aetius, to confront the dread Attila at Orleans
:
they obliged him to raise the siege of that city, and on the plains of Chalons-sur-Marne
"
"
inflicted upon him the only check which the
Scourge of God ever received. From that