Various Germanic and Slavic tribes had vied for control of the eastern Alpine-Danubian region following the withdrawal and collapse of Roman authority.

Among the Germanic tribes, Alemanni (later known as Swabians) and Bavarians were the most notable.

The Alemanni had arrived during the Roman era and by 500 were permanently established in most of modern-day Switzerland and the Austrian province of Vorarlberg.

The early history of the Bavarians is not clear, but by the mid-500s they were established alongside remnants of earlier, Romanized peoples in areas north and south of the present-day border between Austria and Germany.

Both Swabians and Bavarians were subject to another Germanic tribe, the Franks, but effective Frankish control does not occur until the time of Emperor Charlemagne in the late 700s.