In 561, Austrasia became a separate kingdom within the Frankish kingdom and was ruled by the Merovingian king Sigebert I (561–575). In the 7th and 8th centuries it was the powerbase from which the Carolingians, originally mayors of the palace of Austrasia, took over the rule of all Franks, all of Gaul, most of Germany, and northern Italy. After this period of unification, the now larger Frankish Empire was once again divided between eastern, central, and western sub-kingdoms (West Francia, Middle Francia, and East Francia), with the new version of the eastern kingdom eventually becoming the foundation of the Kingdom of Germany.
