The displacements of peoples during the Migration Period resulted in the Frisian settlements in the north and the west of the Low Countries,[1]: 792  the Saxons in the east, the Warnen at the mouth of the Rhine and the Franks further south around the Scheldt.

[2] The Frisian kings became interested in former Frankish lands; under the leadership of the predecessors of Aldgisl they expanded their power to the heart of the Low Countries.

[citation needed] A few coins commemorating an otherwise obscure figure named Audulf survive from the late 6th or early 7th century.

The Merovingian king Dagobert I brought the Frankish Empire under one banner again and conquered the lands south of the Oude Rijn.

After Dagobert died the Franks could not hold their position there, and around 650 the central river area, including Dorestad became Frisian again.

[citation needed] Under the rule of King Aldgisl the Frisians came into conflict with the Neustrian mayor of the palace Ebroin (675-681).

[1]: 792 Under the successor of Aldgisl, Redbad, the tide turned in favour of the Franks; by 689 Neustria, Austrasia and Burgundy were united under mayor of the palace Pepin of Herstal.

It is thought that the influence of the Franks now extended from south of the Oude Rijn to the coast, but this is not entirely clear because the Frisians did not entirely lose control over the central river area.

In any case there was an Archbishopric or bishopric of the Frisians founded for Willibrord[7] and a marriage was held between Grimoald the Younger the oldest son of Pepin, and Thiadsvind, the daughter of Redbad in 711.

[9]: 90 After the battle of Soissons (718) Neustria and Austrasia were reunited under Mayor of the Palace Charles Martel and nominal king Chilperic II.

It is believed that there were troubles with the succession, because the Frankish opponent Charles Martel easily invaded Frisia and subjugated the territory.

He baptized a great number and summoned a general meeting for confirmation at a place not far from Dokkum, between Franeker and Groningen.

They slewed the aged archbishop because, according to Boniface's hagiographer, they believed the chests he carried with him contained gold and other riches.

Under the leadership of dukes Unno and Eilrad,[9]: 310  a revolt arose east of the Lauwers and spread to other Frisian lands.