The Saxons (, , , , , , ) were a group of Germanic tribes first mentioned as living near the North Sea coast of what is now Germany, in late Roman times. They were soon mentioned as raiding and settling in many north sea areas, as well as pushing south inland towards the Franks. Significant numbers settled in large parts of Great Britain in the early Middle Ages and formed part of the merged group of Anglo-Saxons who eventually organised the first united Kingdom of England. Many Saxons however remained in Germania, where they resisted the expanding Frankish Empire through the leadership of the semi-legendary Saxon hero, Widukind.