The Saxons were a Germanic tribe which inhabited Denmark, northern Germany, and the coasts of the Netherlands and Belgium during the Dark Ages. The Saxons were first mentioned in 130 AD, with reference to the "Saxones" tribe north of the Elbe River. Originally from along the northern European coast, their name is derived from their characteristic weapon, the 'seax' dagger. During the early stages of the Roman Empire, the Saxons were fragmented and tenacious, gradually spreading across Europe with no singular leader. After the Romans pulled out of Britannia at the beginning of the 5th century AD, many Saxons settled there in their stead, laying the foundations of what would eventually become England. Those who remained on the continental mainland came into contact with the Franks, who went on to shape their destiny significantly. United under Clovis, the Franks brought much of Gaul under their control. This included Saxon tribes who, although subjugated, were able to remain largely independent, separated from their Frankish overlords and foes by the Harz and Hesse mountain ranges. While most of the other tribes adopted Christianity, the Saxons still fiercely defended their pagan beliefs, upholding them despite determined advances from the Christian Franks. Two priests - both named Ewald - were sent to convert them to Christianity, but they were instead brutally murdered, dismembered, and cast into the Rhine. The Saxons also raided their neighbours relentlessly, further drawing the ire of their western overlords. From 772 to 804, the Saxons were conquered by the Franks during Charlemagne's Saxon Wars.