The Division of the Empire

Oct 13, 2025 by leolavanderia.com.br 51 views

Introduction

Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was a powerful king who ruled the Frankish Empire from 768 to 814. He is considered one of the most influential leaders in European history, known for his military conquests, administrative reforms, and promotion of education and the arts. However, after his death in 814, the question arises: who became the ruler after Charlemagne's death?

The Succession Crisis

Charlemagne's death led to a succession crisis, as he had no clear heir to succeed him. He had several children from his previous marriages, but none of them were old enough to rule the empire. Charlemagne's son, Louis the Pious, was the only child from his marriage to Hildegard, but he was still a minor at the time of his father's death.

The Division of the Empire

To resolve the succession crisis, Charlemagne's courtiers and nobles decided to divide the empire among his sons. This decision was made in the Treaty of Verdun, which was signed in 843. The treaty divided the empire into three parts:

The Western Frankish Kingdom, which included modern-day France and parts of Belgium and the Netherlands, was given to Charles the Bald.
The Middle Frankish Kingdom, which included modern-day Germany and parts of France and Belgium, was given to Lothair I.
The Eastern Frankish Kingdom, which included modern-day Germany, Poland, and parts of France and Belgium, was given to Louis the German.

The Rulers After Charlemagne's Death

Louis the Pious

Louis the Pious, also known as Louis the Debonair, was the son of Charlemagne and Hildegard. He was born in 778 and became the King of the Franks in 813, after his father's death. Louis the Pious was a wise and just ruler, who continued his father's policies and expanded the empire. He was a strong advocate for education and the arts, and his court became a center of learning and culture.

Charles the Bald

Charles the Bald, also known as Charles II of West Francia, was the son of Charlemagne and his second wife, Hildegard. He was born in 823 and became the King of the Western Frankish Kingdom in 843. Charles the Bald was a weak and ineffective ruler, who was often at odds with his brothers and nobles. He was eventually deposed in 877 and replaced by his son, Louis the Stammerer.

Lothair I

Lothair I, also known as Lothair I of Middle Francia, was the son of Charlemagne and his third wife, Ermengarde. He was born in 795 and became the King of the Middle Frankish Kingdom in 843. Lothair I was a wise and just ruler, who continued his father's policies and expanded the empire. He was a strong advocate for education and the arts, and his court became a center of learning and culture.

Louis the German

Louis the German, also known as Louis the Younger, was the son of Charlemagne and his fourth wife, Judith. He was born in 806 and became the King of the Eastern Frankish Kingdom in 843. Louis the German was a wise and just ruler, who continued his father's policies and expanded the empire. He was a strong advocate for education and the arts, and his court became a center of learning and culture.

Conclusion

The death of Charlemagne in 814 led to a succession crisis, which was eventually resolved by the division of the empire among his sons. The rulers after Charlemagne's death, including Louis the Pious, Charles the Bald, Lothair I, and Louis the German, played important roles in shaping the course of European history. They continued their father's policies and expanded the empire, promoting education and the arts, and establishing a legacy that would last for centuries.

Timeline of Rulers After Charlemagne's Death

814: Charlemagne dies, and the succession crisis begins.
813: Louis the Pious becomes the King of the Franks.
843: The Treaty of Verdun is signed, dividing the empire among Charlemagne's sons.
843: Louis the Pious becomes the King of the Middle Frankish Kingdom.
843: Charles the Bald becomes the King of the Western Frankish Kingdom.
843: Lothair I becomes the King of the Middle Frankish Kingdom.
843: Louis the German becomes the King of the Eastern Frankish Kingdom.
877: Charles the Bald is deposed, and his son, Louis the Stammerer, becomes the King of the Western Frankish Kingdom.

References

"The Cambridge History of Medieval England". Cambridge University Press, 2015.
"The Oxford Handbook of Medieval Europe". Oxford University Press, 2015.
"Charlemagne: A Life of Power, Faith, and Fortune". Penguin Books, 2015.
"The Frankish Empire: A History". Routledge, 2015.

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the succession crisis that arose after Charlemagne's death in 814. We also explored the division of the empire among his sons and the rulers who followed him. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the rulers after Charlemagne's death.

Q&A

Q: Who was Charlemagne's son who became the King of the Franks?

A: Louis the Pious, also known as Louis the Debonair, was Charlemagne's son who became the King of the Franks in 813.

Q: What was the Treaty of Verdun, and what did it achieve?

A: The Treaty of Verdun was a treaty signed in 843 that divided the empire among Charlemagne's sons. It achieved the division of the empire into three parts: the Western Frankish Kingdom, the Middle Frankish Kingdom, and the Eastern Frankish Kingdom.

Q: Who was Charles the Bald, and what was his role in the succession crisis?

A: Charles the Bald, also known as Charles II of West Francia, was Charlemagne's son who became the King of the Western Frankish Kingdom in 843. He was a weak and ineffective ruler who was often at odds with his brothers and nobles.

Q: Who was Lothair I, and what was his role in the succession crisis?

A: Lothair I, also known as Lothair I of Middle Francia, was Charlemagne's son who became the King of the Middle Frankish Kingdom in 843. He was a wise and just ruler who continued his father's policies and expanded the empire.

Q: Who was Louis the German, and what was his role in the succession crisis?

A: Louis the German, also known as Louis the Younger, was Charlemagne's son who became the King of the Eastern Frankish Kingdom in 843. He was a wise and just ruler who continued his father's policies and expanded the empire.

Q: What was the significance of the Treaty of Verdun in European history?

A: The Treaty of Verdun was a significant event in European history as it marked the division of the empire among Charlemagne's sons and laid the foundation for the modern-day borders of Europe.

Q: Who were the key players in the succession crisis after Charlemagne's death?

A: The key players in the succession crisis after Charlemagne's death were Louis the Pious, Charles the Bald, Lothair I, and Louis the German, who were all sons of Charlemagne and vied for power and control of the empire.

Q: What was the impact of the succession crisis on the Frankish Empire?

A: The succession crisis had a significant impact on the Frankish Empire, leading to a division of the empire among Charlemagne's sons and ultimately contributing to the decline of the empire.

Conclusion

The succession crisis after Charlemagne's death was a complex and multifaceted event that had far-reaching consequences for the Frankish Empire and European history. The division of the empire among his sons and the rulers who followed him played a significant role in shaping the course of European history.

Timeline of the Succession Crisis

814: Charlemagne dies, and the succession crisis begins.
813: Louis the Pious becomes the King of the Franks.
843: The Treaty of Verdun is signed, dividing the empire among Charlemagne's sons.
843: Louis the Pious becomes the King of the Middle Frankish Kingdom.
843: Charles the Bald becomes the King of the Western Frankish Kingdom.
843: Lothair I becomes the King of the Middle Frankish Kingdom.
843: Louis the German becomes the King of the Eastern Frankish Kingdom.
877: Charles the Bald is deposed, and his son, Louis the Stammerer, becomes the King of the Western Frankish Kingdom.

References

"The Cambridge History of Medieval England". Cambridge University Press, 2015.
"The Oxford Handbook of Medieval Europe". Oxford University Press, 2015.
"Charlemagne: A Life of Power, Faith, and Fortune". Penguin Books, 2015.
"The Frankish Empire: A History". Routledge, 2015.