[PREFACE]5

[INTRODUCTION]15

[CHAPTER I]

THE COAL WOOD19

Celts and Germans—Roman conquest—Roads of Roman civilization—First Christianization—Germanic invasion—Natural obstacle presented by the "Silva Carbonaria"—Origins of racial and linguistic division.

[CHAPTER II]

FROM SAINT AMAND TO CHARLEMAGNE37

Frankish capital transferred from Tournai to Paris—Second Christianization—St. Amand—Restoration of the old bishoprics—Romanization of the Franks and germanization of the Walloons—Unification under Charlemagne—Aix-la-Chapelle, centre of the Empire—First period of economic and intellectual efflorescence.

[CHAPTER III]

LOTHARINGIA AND FLANDERS47

Partition after Charlemagne—Treaty of Verdun—The frontier of the Scheldt—Struggle of feudal lords against the central power—The Normans.