The area that later became Liechtenstein remained under Frankish hegemony (Merovingian and  Carolingian dynasties) until the Treaty of Verdun divided the Carolingian empire in AD 843, following the death of Charlemagne in 814. The territory of present-day Liechtenstein formed part of East Francia. It would later be reunified with Middle Francia under the Holy Roman Empire, around AD 1000. Until about 1100, the predominant language of the area was  Romansch, but thereafter  German began to gain ground in the territory. In 1300 another Alemannic population – the Walsers, who originated in Valais – entered the region and settled; the mountain village of Triesenberg still preserves today features of  Walser dialect.