It is one of the 59 German Student Corps within the Weinheimer Senioren-Convent WSC , the second oldest federation of classical European fraternal corporations, with roots dating back to the 15th century and fraternities founded in several European countries. The Corps is a color-bearing fraternal corporation that keeps alive the tradition of Academic fencing.
Membership in the fraternity is open to men studying at one of Darmstadt's universities such as TU Darmstadt and University of Applied Sciences. The fraternity teaches and expects tolerance from its members, stemming from diverse ethnic, national, religious and political backgrounds.
In particular, the Corps is known for its foundation by Wilhelm von Opel [ 3 ] [ 4 ] and the active membership of his brother Carl von Opel [ 5 ] as well as his nephew Hans von Opel , [ 6 ] founders and owners of the German automobile company Opel. A characteristic of Corps Franconia is its cooperation with the American fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon which evoked mutual memberships.
In its beginning, Wilhelm von Opel filled the position of the vice president and as a passionate racing driver, he won a lot of races and prizes in the name of the Corps. As the reputation of cycling clubs sunk, the club was converted to the voluntarily fencing fraternity Franconia. On June 26 of , the brotherhood converted to the Corps Franconia. In comparison to other university cities, the relationship between the Corps in Darmstadt and the students was regarded as "convenient" [ 13 ] in the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century.
In many cases, members of the Corps led the students committee of the university. The first World War represents a turning-point of the Corps, especially as 12 corps brothers let their lives in the war. Already before the first World War the desire for their own corps house arose. Wilhelm von Opel led the club as chairman and , he was elected as the first Ehrenbursch of the corps, a very honorary member.
