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Charles the Fat
Emperor, King of the Franks and of Italy

Romantic portrait of Charles. Romanticism is a complex artistic literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Western Europe, and gained strength during the
Reign King of Alemannia: 28 August 876 – 20 January 882;
King of Italy: 879 – 887;
Emperor: 12 February 881 – 13 January 888;
King of the East Franks: 20 January 882 – 17 November 887;
King of the West Franks: 12 December 884 – 13 January 888
Coronation As Emperor: By Pope John VIII, 12 February 881, Rome
Born 13 June 839
Died 13 January 888
Place of death Neidingen
Buried Reichenau
Predecessor Alemannia: Louis II;
Italy: Carloman of Bavaria;
Emperor: Charles the Bald;
West Francia: Carloman II
Louis the Blind
Successor East Francia: Arnulf;
Italy: Berengar I;
West Francia: Odo of France;
Empire: Guy III of Spoleto
Consort Richardis
Royal House Carolingian Dynasty
Father Louis the German
Mother Emma of Altdorf

Charles the Fat (Latin: Carolus Pinguis[1]; 13 June 839 – 13 January 888) was the King of Alemannia from 876, King of Italy from 879, Holy Roman Emperor (as Charles III) from 881, King of East Francia from 882, and King of West Francia from 884. Events 475 - The Roman General Orestes forces western Roman Emperor Julius Nepos to flee his Capital Events Births Deaths Louis the German, King of East Francia Map-bms876 Simple876 Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Events By Place Europe Carloman King of the West Franks, becomes sole king upon the death of his brother Events By Place Europe Pope John VIII recognizes the Dukedom of Croatia as an independent state Events By Place Asia Emperor Uda ascends to the throne of Japan. Events 1429 - English Forces under Sir John Fastolf defend a supply convoy carrying rations to the army besieging Orleans from attack by the Events By Place Europe Charles the Fat is crowned Western Emperor Events 532 - Nika riots in Constantinople. 888 - Odo Count of Paris becomes King of the Franks This article is about the year AD 888 For other uses see 888 (disambiguation. Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Events By Place Europe Carloman King of the West Franks, becomes sole king upon the death of his brother Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers Events By Place Asia Emperor Uda ascends to the throne of Japan. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Events By Place Europe March 1 — Diego Rodríguez Porcelos founds and repopulates Burgos. Events 532 - Nika riots in Constantinople. 888 - Odo Count of Paris becomes King of the Franks This article is about the year AD 888 For other uses see 888 (disambiguation. John VIII was Pope from December 13, 872 to December 16, 882. Events 1429 - English Forces under Sir John Fastolf defend a supply convoy carrying rations to the army besieging Orleans from attack by the Events By Place Europe Charles the Fat is crowned Western Emperor Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2 Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for Events By Place Europe Louis the Pious attempts to divide his empire among his sons Events 532 - Nika riots in Constantinople. 888 - Odo Count of Paris becomes King of the Franks This article is about the year AD 888 For other uses see 888 (disambiguation. Reichenau may refer to Reichenau Island, a German island in Lake Constance site of a Benedictine abbey Reichenau Baden-Württemberg, Louis (also Ludwig or Lewis) the German (also known as Louis II or Louis the Bavarian) (806 &ndash August 28, 876 Charles the Bald ( 13 June 823 – 6 October 877) Holy Roman Emperor (875–877 as Charles II) and King of West Francia Louis the Blind (c 880 &ndash 28 June 928) was the King of Provence from 887 King of Italy from 900 and briefly Holy Roman Emperor Arnulf of Carinthia (Arnulf von Kärnten Arnulf Koroški 850 &ndash December 8 899) was the Carolingian King of East Francia from 887 For the Duke of Burgundy (956-965 please see Odo Duke of Burgundy. Guy of Spoleto (died 12 December 894) sometimes known by the Italian version of his name Guido, or by the German version Wido, was the Saint Richardis, also known as Richardis of Swabia (c 840 &ndash 18 September, between 894 and 896 was the Holy Roman Empress of Charles the The Carolingian dynasty (known variously as the Carlovingians, Carolings, or Karlings) was a Frankish noble family with its origins in the Louis (also Ludwig or Lewis) the German (also known as Louis II or Louis the Bavarian) (806 &ndash August 28, 876 Emma of Altdorf, also known as Hemma (808&ndash 31 January 876) was the wife of Louis the German, and Queen consort of Eastern Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for Events By Place Europe Louis the Pious attempts to divide his empire among his sons Events 532 - Nika riots in Constantinople. 888 - Odo Count of Paris becomes King of the Franks This article is about the year AD 888 For other uses see 888 (disambiguation. The following is a list of Dukes of Swabia in southwest Germany Events Births Deaths Louis the German, King of East Francia Map-bms876 Simple876 Events By Place Europe Pope John VIII recognizes the Dukedom of Croatia as an independent state The Holy Roman Emperor (Römischer Kaiser or Römisch-Deutscher Kaiser Romanorum Imperator was the elected monarch ruling over the many varying numbers of states Events By Place Europe Charles the Fat is crowned Western Emperor This article lists the German monarchs, ruling over the territory of Germany from the creation of a separate Eastern Frankish Kingdom in 843 until the end of monarchy Events By Place Europe Carloman King of the West Franks, becomes sole king upon the death of his brother List of Queens and Empresses of France Wikipedia_talkFeatured_lists#Proposed_change_to_all_featured_lists for an explanation of this and other inclusion tags below Events By Place Europe March 1 — Diego Rodríguez Porcelos founds and repopulates Burgos. He was deposed in East Francia, Lotharingia, and possibly Italy (there the records are not clear) in 887. East ( ern) Francia ( Regnum Francorum orientalium) known variously as Francia Orientalis or the Kingdom of the East Franks, was the --> Lotharingia or Lorraine was a short-lived kingdom in He died just a few weeks after his deposition in January 888.

Granted lordship over Alemannia in 876 by the divisio regnorum (division) of Louis the German's kingdom, he succeeded in Italy upon the abdication of his older brother Carloman, incapacitated by a stroke. Alamannia or Alemannia was the territory inhabited by the Alamanni after they broke through the Roman limes in 213 Louis (also Ludwig or Lewis) the German (also known as Louis II or Louis the Bavarian) (806 &ndash August 28, 876 A stroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain functions due to a disturbance in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain Crowned Emperor in 881 by Pope John VIII, his succession to the territories of his brother Louis the Younger the following year reunited the entire Kingdom of the East Franks (later Germany). John VIII was Pope from December 13, 872 to December 16, 882. Louis the Younger (835 &ndash 20 January 882) sometimes Louis III, was the second eldest of the three sons of Louis the German and The Kingdom of Germany grew out of East Francia in the tenth century Upon the death of his cousin Carloman II, he inherited all of West Francia (later France) also, thus reviving, if only briefly, the entire Carolingian Empire. Carolingian Empire is a historiographical term sometimes used to refer to the realm of the Franks under the Carolingian dynasty.

Usually considered lethargic and inept — he is known to have had repeated illnesses and is believed to have suffered from epilepsy — he twice purchased peace with Viking raiders, including at the famous siege of Paris in 886. Epilepsy is a common chronic Neurological disorder that is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. A Viking is one of the Norse ( Scandinavian Explorers Warriors Merchants, and pirates who raided and colonized wide areas The Siege of Paris of 885 to 886 was a Viking siege of Paris, then capital of the kingdom of the West Franks. Nevertheless, contemporary opinion of him was not nearly so negative as modern historiographical opinion, which itself is seeing a turnaround.

Contents

Youth and inheritance

Charles was the youngest of the three sons of Louis the German, first King of East Francia, and Emma, a Welf. Louis (also Ludwig or Lewis) the German (also known as Louis II or Louis the Bavarian) (806 &ndash August 28, 876 This article lists the German monarchs, ruling over the territory of Germany from the creation of a separate Eastern Frankish Kingdom in 843 until the end of monarchy Emma of Altdorf, also known as Hemma (808&ndash 31 January 876) was the wife of Louis the German, and Queen consort of Eastern See also Elder House of Welf The House of Welf (or House of Guelph) is a European Dynasty that has included many German and British An incidence of demonic possession is recorded in his youth, in which he was said to have been foaming at the mouth before he was taken to the altar of the church. This greatly affected his father and himself, he was described as "a very Christian prince, fearing God, with all his heart keeping His commandments, very devoutly obeying the orders of the Church, generous in alms-giving, practising unceasingly prayer and song, always intent upon celebrating the praises of God. "

In AD 859, Charles was made Count of the Breisgau, an Alemannic march against southern Lotharingia. Breisgau is the name of an area in southwest Germany, placed between the river Rhine and the foothills of the Black Forest around Freiburg Mark from the Old English mearc and march (or various plural forms of these words derived from the Frankish word marka ("boundary" [2] In 863, his rebellious eldest brother Carloman revolted against their father. The next year, Louis the Younger followed Carloman in revolt and Charles joined him. Louis the Younger (835 &ndash 20 January 882) sometimes Louis III, was the second eldest of the three sons of Louis the German and Carloman was invested with Bavaria as co-king. Bavaria ( German:, with an area of 70553 Km² (27241 square miles and almost 12 In 865, the elder Louis was forced to divide his lands amongst his heirs: Bavaria went to Carloman; Saxony (with Franconia and Thuringia) went to Louis; and Alemannia (Swabia with Rhaetia) went to Charles. The Free State of Saxony (Freistaat Sachsen ˈzaksən Swobodny Stat Sakska is the easternmost federal state of Germany. Franconia (Franken is a historic region of Germany comprising the northern parts of the modern state of Bavaria and the area to its immediate west The Free State of Thuringia (Freistaat Thüringen is located in central Germany. Raetia (so always in inscriptions classical manuscripts usually use the form Rhaetia) was a province of the Roman Empire, bounded on the west by the country Lotharingia was to be divided between the younger two. --> Lotharingia or Lorraine was a short-lived kingdom in

When, in 875, the Emperor Louis II, who was also King of Italy, died, having come to terms with Louis the German whereby Carloman would succeed in Italy, Charles the Bald of West Francia invaded the peninsula and had himself crowned king and emperor. Louis II the Younger (825 &ndash 12 August 875) was the King of Italy from 844 and then Emperor from 855 until his death Charles the Bald ( 13 June 823 – 6 October 877) Holy Roman Emperor (875–877 as Charles II) and King of West Francia [3] Louis the German sent first Charles and then Carloman himself, with armies containing Italian forces under Berengar of Friuli, their cousin, to possess the Italian kingdom. [4] This was not, however, successful until the death of Charles the Bald in 877.

In 876, Louis died and the inheritance went as planned after a conference at Ries, though Charles received less of his share of Lotharingian than planned. In his charters, Charles' reign in Germania is dated from his inheritance in 876.

Acquisition of Italy

The brothers acted cooperatively and there was no war over the division of the patrimony: a rare occurrence in Dark Age Europe. This article is about the phrase "Dark Age(s" as a characterization of the Early Middle Ages in Western Europe In 877, Carloman inherited Italy from their uncle Charles the Bald of West Francia. Charles the Bald ( 13 June 823 – 6 October 877) Holy Roman Emperor (875–877 as Charles II) and King of West Francia West Francia or the West Frankish Kingdom was a short-lived kingdom encompassing the lands of the western part of the Carolingian Empire that came under the undisputed Louis divided Lotharingian and offered a third to Carloman and a third to Charles. In 878, Carloman returned his Lotharingian share to Louis, who divided it evenly with Charles. In 879, Carloman was incapacitated by a stroke and divided his domains between his brothers: Bavaria to Louis and Italy to Charles. Charles dated his reign in Italia from this point.

In 880, Charles joined Louis III and Carloman, joint kings of West Francia, in besieging Boso of Provence in Vienne from August to September, but they failed to dislodge him. Louis III (born 863–865 died 5 August 882) king of Western Francia, was the second son of King Louis the Stammerer and Ansgarde List of Queens and Empresses of France Wikipedia_talkFeatured_lists#Proposed_change_to_all_featured_lists for an explanation of this and other inclusion tags below Boso was a Frankish nobleman from the Bosonid -family who was related to the Carolingian dynasty, who rose to become King of Provence (879 &ndash This article is about the French department Do not confuse with the Austrian capital Vienna. Provence was legally a part of the Italian kingdom (from 863). In August 882, Charles sent Richard the Justiciar, Count of Autun, to take the city, which he did (in September). Richard the Justiciar (died 921 was Count of Autun from 880 and the first Margrave and Duke of Burgundy. After this, Boso could not regain most of his realm and was restricted to the vicinity of Vienne.

Imperial coronation and activities

Carolingian Kings
of East Francia

Louis the German (843–876)
Children:
   Carloman
   Louis the Younger
   Charles the Fat
Carloman (876–879)
Children:
   Arnulf of Carinthia
Louis the Younger (876–882)
Charles the Fat (876–887)
Children:
   Bernard
Arnulf (887–896)
Children:
   Zwentibold
   Louis the Child
   Ratold
Louis the Child (899–911)

On 18 July 880, Pope John VIII sent a letter to Guy II of Spoleto to seek peace, but the duke ignored him and invaded the Papal States. The Carolingian dynasty (known variously as the Carlovingians, Carolings, or Karlings) was a Frankish noble family with its origins in the This article lists the German monarchs, ruling over the territory of Germany from the creation of a separate Eastern Frankish Kingdom in 843 until the end of monarchy East ( ern) Francia ( Regnum Francorum orientalium) known variously as Francia Orientalis or the Kingdom of the East Franks, was the Louis (also Ludwig or Lewis) the German (also known as Louis II or Louis the Bavarian) (806 &ndash August 28, 876 Louis the Younger (835 &ndash 20 January 882) sometimes Louis III, was the second eldest of the three sons of Louis the German and Arnulf of Carinthia (Arnulf von Kärnten Arnulf Koroški 850 &ndash December 8 899) was the Carolingian King of East Francia from 887 Louis the Younger (835 &ndash 20 January 882) sometimes Louis III, was the second eldest of the three sons of Louis the German and Arnulf of Carinthia (Arnulf von Kärnten Arnulf Koroški 850 &ndash December 8 899) was the Carolingian King of East Francia from 887 Zwentibold (870 &ndash August 13 900) was the Illegimate son of the Emperor Arnulf of Carinthia. Louis the Child (893 &ndash 20/ 24 September 911) sometimes called Louis IV or Louis III, was the last Carolingian ruler of Ratold (889 &ndash 929 was a King of Italy who ruled for a month or so in 896 Louis the Child (893 &ndash 20/ 24 September 911) sometimes called Louis IV or Louis III, was the last Carolingian ruler of Events 390 BC - Roman - Gaulish Wars Battle of the Allia - a Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls, See Interstate 880 for the American Freeway Events By Place Europe Oldest known mention of the city of John VIII was Pope from December 13, 872 to December 16, 882. Guy II (sometimes III, died late 882 or early 883 was the eldest son and successor of Lambert I as Duke of Spoleto and Margrave of Camerino. The Papal States, State(s of the Church or Pontifical States (in Italian Stato Ecclesiastico, Stato della Chiesa, Stati della Chiesa John responded by begging the aid of Charles in his capacity as King of Italy. In gratefulness, he crowned him Emperor on 12 February 881. Events 1429 - English Forces under Sir John Fastolf defend a supply convoy carrying rations to the army besieging Orleans from attack by the Events By Place Europe Charles the Fat is crowned Western Emperor His rise to power was accompanied by hopes of a general revival in western Europe, but he proved unequal to the task. Charles did little to help against Guy, however. Papal letters as late as November were still petitioning Charles for action.

As emperor, Charles began the construction of a palace at Sélestat in Alsace. Sélestat (Sélestat selɛsta Alsatian: Schlettstadt, pronounced; Schlettstadt is a Alsace (Alsace alzas Alsatian and Elsass pre-1996 German: Elsaß; Alsatia is one of the 26 Regions of France, located on the eastern He modelled it after the Palace at Aachen which Charlemagne, whom he consciously sought to emulate, as indicated by the Vita Karoli Magni of Notker the Stammerer, had built. The Palace of Aachen was a collection of residential political and religious buildings used by Charlemagne as the centre of power of his Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne (ˈʃɑrlɨmeɪn Carolus Magnus or Karolus Magnus meaning Charles the Great) (747 – 28 January 814 was King of the Franks from 768 to his Notker the Stammerer ( Notker Balbulus) also called Notker the Poet or Notker of Saint Gall ( c As Aachen was in the kingdom of his brother, it was necessary for Charles to build a new palace for his court in his own power base of western Alemannia. [5] Sélestat was also more central to the Empire than Aachen.

In February 882, Charles convoked a diet in Ravenna. Ravenna is a City and Comune in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The duke, emperor, and pope made peace and Guy and his uncle, Guy of Camerino, vowed to restore stolen papal lands. Guy of Spoleto (died 12 December 894) sometimes known by the Italian version of his name Guido, or by the German version Wido, was the In a March letter to Charles, John claimed that the vows went unfulfilled. In 883, Guy, now Duke of Spoleto, was accused of treason at an imperial synod held at Nonantula late in May. The dukes of Spoleto were rulers of Spoleto and most of Central Italy outside the Papal States during the Early and High Middle Ages Nonantola is a city in the Province of Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy. [6] He returned to the Spoleto and made an alliance with the Saracens. Charles sent Berengar, equipped with an army, to deprive Guy of Spoleto. Berengar was initially successful until an epidemic of disease, which ravaged all Italy, affecting the emperor and his entourage as well as Berengar's army, forced him to retire. [7]

In 883, Charles signed a treaty with Giovanni II Participazio, Doge of Venice, granting that any assassin of a doge who fled to the territory of the empire would be fined 100 lbs of gold and banished. Giovanni II Participazio (or Particiaco) was the thirteenth (historical or fifteenth (traditional Doge of Venice after the death of his father Orso I The Doge ( Venetian language, also Doxe, derived from Latin Dux military leader duke cf The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass

East Francia

In the early 880s, the remnants of the Great Heathen Army, defeated by Alfred the Great at the Battle of Edington in 878, began to settle in the Low Countries. The " Great Heathen Army " also known as the Great Army or the Great Danish Army, was a Viking Army originating in Denmark Alfred the Great (also Ælfred from the Old English Ælfrēd ˈælfreːd (c The Battle of Edington (May 878) was a Battle which took place near Edington (then known as "Ethandun" in the county of Wiltshire The Low Countries, the historical region of de Nederlanden, are the countries on low-lying land around the delta of the Rhine, Scheldt They were opposed with some success by Louis, Charles' brother, but he died after a short campaign on 20 January 882 and Charles succeeded to his kingdom, thus reuniting the whole East Frankish realm again. Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Events By Place Europe Carloman King of the West Franks, becomes sole king upon the death of his brother Charles called for an assembling of the army of the whole nation of the East Franks in the summer and he marched off to besiege the chief Viking camp at Asselt. The Siege of Asselt was a Frankish siege of the Viking camp at Asselt in Frisia in the year 882 Not much later, Charles opened negotiations with the Viking chiefs, Godfrey and Sigfred. Godfrid, Godafrid, Gudfrid, or Gottfrid (murdered June 885 was a Danish Viking leader of the late ninth century Sigfred was the name of a number of kings ruling the present territory of Denmark. Godfrey accepted Christian baptism and agreed to become Charles's vassal. He was married to Gisela, daughter of Lothair II. Lothair II ( 835 - August 8, 869) was the second son of Emperor Lothair I and Ermengarde of Tours. Sigfred was bribed off. Despite the insinuations of some modern chroniclers, no contemporary account criticises Charles actions during this campaign. [8]

From 882 to 884, the Wilhelminer War dominated the Marcha Orientalis (later Austria). Wilhelminer War was a minor war fought in the March of Pannonia (later Austria) from 882 to 884. The March of Pannonia was a frontier march of the Carolingian Empire erected in the mid-ninth century against the threat of Great Moravia and lasting only The March or Margraviate of Austria was created in 976 out of the territory that probably formed the earlier March of Pannonia. Arnulf of Carinthia, Charles's illegitimate nephew, allied with the rebel Engelschalk II against Charles' appointed margrave in the region, Aribo. Arnulf of Carinthia (Arnulf von Kärnten Arnulf Koroški 850 &ndash December 8 899) was the Carolingian King of East Francia from 887 Engelschalk II was the margrave ( comes terminalis, "frontier count" of the March of Pannonia in the late Ninth century in opposition to Aribo or Arbo (c 850 &ndash 909 was the margrave ( comes terminalis, "frontier count" of the March of Pannonia, from 871 until his death Svatopluk I, ruler of Great Moravia, took up Aribo's cause and, at Kaumberg, in 884, took oaths of fidelity to Charles. Svatopluk I (around 830 - 894 from the House of Mojmír was the prince of the Principality of Nitra (850s - 871 and then the king of Great Moravia (871 Great Moravia (see Name section was a Slavic state that existed in Central Europe from the 9th century to the early 10th century Kaumberg is a town in the district of Lilienfeld in the Austrian state of Lower Austria. Though the emperor lost his vassals of the Wilhelminer family and his relationship with his nephew was broken, he gained powerful allies in the Moravian dux and other Slavic duces in the area.

In 885, fearing Godfrey and his brother-in-law, Hugh, Duke of Alsace, Charles arranged for a conference at Spijk, near Lobith, inviting the Viking leader to fall into a trap. Hugh (circa 855 &ndash 895 was the only son of Lothair II, an illegitimate child by his relationship with Waldrada Lobith is a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is located in the municipality of Rijnwaarden. Godfrey was executed and Hugh was blinded and sent to Prüm. Prüm (ˈpʁʏm is a medium sized city in the Westeifel ( Rhineland-Palatinate) Germany.

Succession matters

Charles, childless by his marriage to Richgard, tried to have his illegitimate son by an unknown concubine, Bernard, recognised as his heir in 885, but met the opposition of several bishops. Saint Richardis, also known as Richardis of Swabia (c 840 &ndash 18 September, between 894 and 896 was the Holy Roman Empress of Charles the He had the support of Pope Hadrian III, whom he invited to an assembly in Worms in October 885, but who died on the way, just after crossing the river Po. Pope Worms (voɐms is a City in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, on the Rhine River The Po ( Latin: Padus, Po Ligurian: Bo, Greek: Eridanus) is a river that flows 652 km(405 miles (682 km by considering [9] Hadrian was going to depose the obstructing bishops, as Charles doubted he could do this himself, and legitimise Bernard. [10] Based on the unfavouring attitude of the chronicler of the Mainz continuation of the Annales Fuldenses, the chief of Charles's opponents in the matter was probably Liutbert, Archbishop of Mainz. The Annales Fuldenses or Annals of Fulda are East Frankish chronicles that cover the period from the last years of Louis the Pious (died 840 Liutbert or Ludbert (died 889 was the Archbishop of Mainz from 863 until his death Because Charles had called together the "bishops and counts of Gaul" as well as the pope to meet him at Worms, it seems likely that he planned to make Bernard King of Lotharingia. The rulers of Lorraine have held different posts under different governments over different regions [11] Notker the Stammerer, who considered Bernard as a possible heir, wrote in his Deeds of Charlemagne:

I will not tell you [Charles the Fat] of this [the Viking sack of the Abbey of Prüm] until I see your little son Bernard with a sword girt to his thigh. Notker the Stammerer ( Notker Balbulus) also called Notker the Poet or Notker of Saint Gall ( c A Viking is one of the Norse ( Scandinavian Explorers Warriors Merchants, and pirates who raided and colonized wide areas Prüm Abbey is a former Benedictine Abbey in Prüm / Lorraine, now in the Diocese of Trier ( Germany) founded by a Frankish [12]

Perhaps Notker was awaiting Bernard's kingship, when Prüm would be avenged.

After the failure of his first attempt, Charles set about to try again. He had the term proles (offspring) inserted into his charters as it had not been in previous years, probably because he desired to legitimise Bernard. [13] In early 886, Charles met the new Pope Stephen V and probably negotiated for the recognition of his son as his heir. Pope Stephen V, (885-891 succeeded Pope Adrian III, and was in turn succeeded by Pope Formosus. An assembly was planned for April and May of the next year at Waiblingen. Waiblingen is a town in the southwest of Germany, located in the center of the densely populated Stuttgart Region, directly neighboring Stuttgart. Pope Stephen cancelled his planned attendance on 30 April 887. Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule Events By Place Asia Emperor Uda ascends to the throne of Japan. Nevertheless, at Waiblingen, Berengar, who by a brief feud with Liutward had lost the favour of the emperor, came in early May 887, made peace with the emperor, and compensated for the actions of the previous year by dispensing great gifts. [14]

Charles probably abandoned his plans for Bernard and instead adopted Louis of Provence as his son at an assembly at Kirchen in May. Louis the Blind (c 880 &ndash 28 June 928) was the King of Provence from 887 King of Italy from 900 and briefly Holy Roman Emperor Kirchen is a town in the district of Altenkirchen in the north of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. [15] It is possible, however, that the agreement with Louis was only designed to engender support for Bernard's subkingship in Lotharingia. In June or July, Berengar arrived in Kirchen, probably pining to be declared Charles's heir; he may in fact have been so named in Italy, where he was acclaimed (or made himself) king immediately after Charles's deposition. [16] Odo, Count of Paris, may have had a similar purpose in visiting Charles at Kirchen. For the Duke of Burgundy (956-965 please see Odo Duke of Burgundy. [17] On the other, hand the presence of these magnates at these two great assemblies may merely have been necessary to confirm Charles' illegitimate son as his heir (Waiblingen), a plan which failed when the pope refused to attend, and then to confirm Louis instead (Kirchen). [18]

West Francia

Charles the Fat in the Grandes Chroniques de France
Charles the Fat in the Grandes Chroniques de France

When Carloman II of West Francia died on 12 December 884, the nobles of that kingdom invited Charles, to assume the kingship. The Grandes Chroniques de France is a royal compilation of the history of France, its manuscripts remarkably illuminated Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Events By Place Europe March 1 — Diego Rodríguez Porcelos founds and repopulates Burgos. Charles gladly accepted, it being the third kingdom to "fall into his lap. "[19] According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Charles succeeded to all of the kingdom of Carloman save Brittany, but this does not seem to have been true. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a collection of Annals in Old English chronicling the history of the Anglo-Saxons. Brittany (Breizh bʁejs Bretagne; Gallo: Bertaèyn) is a former independent Celtic kingdom and Duchy, now incorporated into [20] It is likely that Charles was crowned by Geilo, Bishop of Langres, as rex in Gallia on 20 May 885 at Grand in the Vosges in southern Lorraine. Events 325 - The First Council of Nicaea &ndash the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church is held Events By Place Europe The Vikings besiege Paris. Godfrith the Sea King is killed in Lobith. Grand is a village and commune in the French département of Vosges, famous for its Roman Amphitheatre, Vosges (voːʒ is a French department, named after the Vosges mountain range. [21] Though Geilo even developed a special West Frankish seal for him, Charles's government in the West, however, was always very impersonal and he left most day-to-day business to the higher nobility.

Though West Francia (the future France) was far less menaced by the Vikings than the Low Countries, it was heavily hit nonetheless. In 885, a huge fleet led by Sigfred sailed up the Seine, for the first time in years, and besieged Paris. The Seine (sɛn in French) is a slow flowing major River and commercial waterway within the regions of Île-de-France and Haute-Normandie The Siege of Paris of 885 to 886 was a Viking siege of Paris, then capital of the kingdom of the West Franks. Sigfred demanded a bribe again, but this time Charles refused. He was in Italy at the time and Odo, Count of Paris, sneaked some men through enemy lines to seek his aid. For the Duke of Burgundy (956-965 please see Odo Duke of Burgundy. Charles sent Henry, Count of Saxony, to Paris. Henry (died 886 a son of Count Poppo of Grapfeld, one of the first Babenbergs, was variously known as Count or Margrave of Saxony and Duke of Franconia In 886, as disease began to spread through Paris, Odo himself went to Charles to seek support. Charles brought a large army and encircled the army of Rollo and set up a camp at Montmartre. Rollo, occasionally known as Rollo the Viking, (c 860 - c 932 was the founder and first ruler of the Viking principality in what soon became known as Montmartre is a hill (the butte Montmartre) which is 130 metres high giving its name to the surrounding district in the north of Paris in the 18th However, Charles had no intention of fighting. He sent the defenders down the Seine to ravage Burgundy, which was in revolt. Burgundy (Bourgogne Burgund is a region historically situated in modern-day France and Switzerland, inhabited in turn by Celts ( Gauls) When the Vikings withdrew from France next spring, he gave them 700 pounds of promised silver. Charles prestige in France was greatly diminished.

Charles issued a number of charters for West Frankish recipients during his stay in Paris during and after the siege. He recognised rights and privileges granted by his predecessors to recipients in the Spanish March and Provence, but especially in Neustria, where he had contact with Nantes at a time when the Breton duke Alan I was known to be powerful in the county of Nantes. The Marca Hispanica (or Spanish March, also March of Barcelona) was a Buffer zone beyond the province of Septimania, created by Charlemagne The territory of Neustria or Neustrasia, meaning "new land" originated in 511 made up of the regions from Aquitaine to the English Channel, Nantes (Naoned Gallo: Naunnt) is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, from the Atlantic coast Alan I (Alain died 907 called the Great, was the Count of Vannes and Duke of Brittany ( dux Brittonium) from 876 until his death The counts of Nantes were originally the Frankish rulers of the Nantais under the Carolingians. It is probable that Charles granted Alan the right to be titled rex;[22] as emperor he would have had that prerogative and Alan's use of the title appears legitimate. A charter datable to between 897 and 900 makes reference to the soul of Karolus on whose behalf Alan had ordered prayers to be said in the monastery of Redon. Redon is a town and commune in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in Bretagne northwestern France. This was probably Charles the Fat.

Deposition, death, and legacy

With Charles increasingly seen as spineless and incompetent, matters came to a head in late 887. In the summer of that year, having given up on his son's succession, Charles received Odo and Berengar, Margrave of Friuli, a relative of his, at his court. The dukes and margraves of Friuli were the rulers of the Duchy and March of Friuli in the Midde Ages He may have accepted neither, one, or both of these as his heir in their respective kingdoms. His inner circle then began to fall apart. First, he accused his wife Richardis of having an affair with his chief minister and archchancellor, Liutward, bishop of Vercelli. Saint Richardis, also known as Richardis of Swabia (c 840 &ndash 18 September, between 894 and 896 was the Holy Roman Empress of Charles the An archchancellor (archicancellarius Erzkanzler or chief chancellor a title given to the highest dignitary of the Holy Roman Empire and also used occasionally during the Liutward was the Archchancellor of the Holy Roman Empire from 878 and the Bishop of Vercelli from 880 by appointment of Charles She proved her innocence in an ordeal of fire and left him for the monastic life. [23] He then turned against Liutward, who was hated by all, and removed him from office, appointing Liutbert, Archbishop of Mainz, in his stead. Liutbert or Ludbert (died 889 was the Archbishop of Mainz from 863 until his death

In that year, his first cousin once removed, Ermengard, daughter of the Emperor Louis II and wife of Boso of Provence, brought her son Louis to him for protection. Ermengard (also Ermengarda, Ermengarde, or Irmingard) was the only surviving daughter of Louis II Holy Roman Emperor. Louis II the Younger (825 &ndash 12 August 875) was the King of Italy from 844 and then Emperor from 855 until his death Boso was a Frankish nobleman from the Bosonid -family who was related to the Carolingian dynasty, who rose to become King of Provence (879 &ndash Louis the Blind (c 880 &ndash 28 June 928) was the King of Provence from 887 King of Italy from 900 and briefly Holy Roman Emperor Charles confirmed Louis in Provence (he may even have adopted him) and allowed them to live at his court. He probably intended to make Louis heir to the whole realm and the imperium. On 11 November, he called an assembly to Frankfurt. Events 308 - The Congress of Carnuntum: Attempting to keep peace within the Roman Empire, the leaders of the Tetrarchy declare While there he received news that an ambitious nephew, Arnulf of Carinthia, had fomented a general rebellion and was marching into Germany with an army of Bavarians and Slavs. Arnulf of Carinthia (Arnulf von Kärnten Arnulf Koroški 850 &ndash December 8 899) was the Carolingian King of East Francia from 887 The next week saw the collapse of all his support in East Francia. The last to abandon him were his loyal Alemanni, though the men of Lotharingia never seem to have formally accepted his deposition. The Alamanni, Allemanni, or Alemanni were originally an alliance of Germanic tribes located around the upper Main river ( Germany By 17 November, Charles was out of power, though the exact course of events is unknown. Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers Asides from rebuking his faithlessness, he did little to prevent Arnulf's move — he had recently been ill again — but assure that Bernard was entrusted to his care and possibly Louis too. He asked for a few estates in Swabia on which to live out his days and thus received Neidingen. There he died six weeks later, on 13 January 888. Events 532 - Nika riots in Constantinople. 888 - Odo Count of Paris becomes King of the Franks This article is about the year AD 888 For other uses see 888 (disambiguation.

Charles' empire broke asunder, never to be restored. According to Regino of Prüm, each part of the realm elected a "kinglet" from its own "bowels". Reginon or Regino of Prüm (died 915 was a Benedictine abbot and medieval chronicler. It is probable that Arnulf desired the whole empire, but the only part he received other than East Francia was Lotharingia. The French elected Odo, though he was opposed at first by Guy III of Spoleto, who also opposed Arnulf in Lotharingia. Guy of Spoleto (died 12 December 894) sometimes known by the Italian version of his name Guido, or by the German version Wido, was the Guy sought the kingship in Italy after his failures in Francia, though there Berengar had already been crowned. Louis was crowned in Provence as Charles had intended and he sought the support of Arnulf and gained it, probably through supplication to him. Odo would eventually submit to Arnulf's supremacy as well. In Upper Burgundy, one Rudolph, a dux of the region, was elected as king in a distinctly non-Carolingian creation, probably the result of his failure to succeed in the whole of Lotharingia. Upper Burgundy (also Transjurane Burgundy fr Bourgogne transjurane, also Transjurania) is the part of Burgundy west of the Jura mountains Rudolph I, born 859 died October 25, 912, King of (Upper or Transjurane Burgundy from his election in 888 until his death In Aquitaine, Ranulf II declared himself king and took the guardianship of the young Charles the Simple, the Carolingian heir to the West, refusing to recognise Odo's election. The Duke of Aquitaine ( French: Duc d'Aquitaine) ruled the historical region of Aquitaine under the supremacy of the Frankish and later the Ranulf II (also spelled Rannoux, Rannulf, Ramnulf, and Ranulph; 850 &ndash 5 August 890) was Count of Poitou Charles III ( September 17, 879 – October 7, 929) called the Simple or the Straightforward (from the contemporary

It is unknown if these elections were a response to Charles's East Frankish deposition or to his death. Only those of Arnulf and Berengar can be certainly placed before his death. Only the magnates of the East ever formally deposed him. He was buried with honour in Reichenau after his death and the Annales Fuldenses heap praises on his piety and godliness. Reichenau may refer to Reichenau Island, a German island in Lake Constance site of a Benedictine abbey Reichenau Baden-Württemberg, The Annales Fuldenses or Annals of Fulda are East Frankish chronicles that cover the period from the last years of Louis the Pious (died 840 Indeed, contemporary opinion of Charles is consistently kinder than later historiography, though it is a modern suggestion that his lack of apparent successes is the excusable result of near constant illness and infirmity.

Charles was the subject of a hortative piece of Latin prose, the Visio Karoli Grossi, designed to champion the cause of Louis the Blind and warn the Carolingians that their continued rule was not certain if they did not have "divine" (i. The Visio Karoli Crassi or Visio Karoli Grossi (meaning "Vision of Charles the Fat" also called the Visio Karoli ( e. ecclesiastical) favour.

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ The nickname "the Fat" is a twelfth-century concoction. Charles's actual girth is unknown.
  2. ^ Reuter, 72.
  3. ^ AF, 875 (p. 77 and n8).
  4. ^ ibid. MacLean, 70.
  5. ^ MacLean, 187–188.
  6. ^ AF(B), 883 (p107 and nn6–7).
  7. ^ ibid
  8. ^ Reuter.
  9. ^ ibid, 116–117. AF(M), 885 (pp 98–99 and nn6–7) and AF(B), 885 (p. 111 and n2).
  10. ^ ibid
  11. ^ MacLean, 131.
  12. ^ ibid
  13. ^ ibid, 132.
  14. ^ AF(B), 887 (p. 113 and nn3–4).
  15. ^ MacLean, 167.
  16. ^ Reuter, 119.
  17. ^ ibid
  18. ^ MacLean, pp167–168.
  19. ^ Ibid, from Regino of Prüm. Reginon or Regino of Prüm (died 915 was a Benedictine abbot and medieval chronicler.
  20. ^ Smith, 192.
  21. ^ MacLean, 127.
  22. ^ Smith, 192.
  23. ^ Or she declared herself a virgin.


Emperor Charles III
Born: 13 June 839 Died: 13 January 888
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Louis II
as King of Eastern Francia		 King of Alemannia (inherited from Louis II) between 876 and 882
28 August 876–20 January 882		 Succeeded by
Himself
as King of East Francia
Preceded by
Louis III
as King of Saxony and Bavaria		 King of Saxony and Bavaria
20 January 882
Preceded by
Himself
as King of Alemannia, Saxony, and Bavaria		 King of East Francia
20 January 882 – 17 November 887		 Succeeded by
Arnulf of Carinthia
as King of East Francia
Succeeded by
Rudolph I of Burgundy
as King of Burgundy
Preceded by
Carloman of Bavaria		 King of Italy
879–887		 Succeeded by
Berengar I
Vacant
Title last held by
Charles II		 (Holy) Roman Emperor
881–888		 Vacant
Title next held by
Guy
Preceded by
Carloman II		 King of West Francia
884–888		 Succeeded by
Odo
as King of West Francia
Succeeded by
Ranulf II of Aquitaine
as King of Aquitaine
The Carolingian dynasty (known variously as the Carlovingians, Carolings, or Karlings) was a Frankish noble family with its origins in the Louis (also Ludwig or Lewis) the German (also known as Louis II or Louis the Bavarian) (806 &ndash August 28, 876 Alamannia or Alemannia was the territory inhabited by the Alamanni after they broke through the Roman limes in 213 Louis (also Ludwig or Lewis) the German (also known as Louis II or Louis the Bavarian) (806 &ndash August 28, 876 Events 475 - The Roman General Orestes forces western Roman Emperor Julius Nepos to flee his Capital Events Births Deaths Louis the German, King of East Francia Map-bms876 Simple876 Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Events By Place Europe Carloman King of the West Franks, becomes sole king upon the death of his brother Louis the Younger (835 &ndash 20 January 882) sometimes Louis III, was the second eldest of the three sons of Louis the German and This article lists Dukes Electors and Kings ruling over territories named Saxony from the beginning of the Saxon Duchy in the 9th century to the end of the Saxon Kingdom in 1918 King of Bavaria was a title held by the hereditary Wittelsbach rulers of Bavaria in the state known as the Kingdom of Bavaria from 1805 till 1918 when This article lists Dukes Electors and Kings ruling over territories named Saxony from the beginning of the Saxon Duchy in the 9th century to the end of the Saxon Kingdom in 1918 King of Bavaria was a title held by the hereditary Wittelsbach rulers of Bavaria in the state known as the Kingdom of Bavaria from 1805 till 1918 when Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Events By Place Europe Carloman King of the West Franks, becomes sole king upon the death of his brother Alamannia or Alemannia was the territory inhabited by the Alamanni after they broke through the Roman limes in 213 This article lists Dukes Electors and Kings ruling over territories named Saxony from the beginning of the Saxon Duchy in the 9th century to the end of the Saxon Kingdom in 1918 King of Bavaria was a title held by the hereditary Wittelsbach rulers of Bavaria in the state known as the Kingdom of Bavaria from 1805 till 1918 when This article lists the German monarchs, ruling over the territory of Germany from the creation of a separate Eastern Frankish Kingdom in 843 until the end of monarchy Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Events By Place Europe Carloman King of the West Franks, becomes sole king upon the death of his brother Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers Events By Place Asia Emperor Uda ascends to the throne of Japan. Arnulf of Carinthia (Arnulf von Kärnten Arnulf Koroški 850 &ndash December 8 899) was the Carolingian King of East Francia from 887 Rudolph I, born 859 died October 25, 912, King of (Upper or Transjurane Burgundy from his election in 888 until his death The following is a list of the Kings of Burgundy. Kings of the Burgundians The Burgundians had left Bornholm c Charles the Bald ( 13 June 823 – 6 October 877) Holy Roman Emperor (875–877 as Charles II) and King of West Francia The Holy Roman Emperor (Römischer Kaiser or Römisch-Deutscher Kaiser Romanorum Imperator was the elected monarch ruling over the many varying numbers of states Guy of Spoleto (died 12 December 894) sometimes known by the Italian version of his name Guido, or by the German version Wido, was the List of Queens and Empresses of France Wikipedia_talkFeatured_lists#Proposed_change_to_all_featured_lists for an explanation of this and other inclusion tags below For the Duke of Burgundy (956-965 please see Odo Duke of Burgundy. Ranulf II (also spelled Rannoux, Rannulf, Ramnulf, and Ranulph; 850 &ndash 5 August 890) was Count of Poitou
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