Charles II le Chauve
King of West Francia, then Emperor · 840-877 · born on 13 June 823, died on 6 October 877
Younger son of Louis the Pious and Judith of Bavaria, Charles the Bald was initially excluded from his father’s succession arrangement. After the latter’s death (840), war broke out with his brothers Lothair and Louis the German. The Treaty of Verdun (843) awarded him West Francia, which foreshadowed the future kingdom of France.
King of a territory constantly harassed by the Northmen, he had to defend his kingdom against their raids, including the great siege of Paris in 845: the city was then spared in exchange for a heavy tribute, while the suburbs and the abbey of Saint-Denis were ravaged. A learned king, he surrounded himself with clerics, had manuscripts copied and tried to revive Carolingian power.
Despite the invasions and the revolts of his great men, he enlarged his domain and was crowned emperor in Rome in 875. He died in 877, leaving a weakened kingdom and a royal authority contested by the great men.
Key dates
- 843: Treaty of Verdun
In the tree of power
- Era: Carolingians
- Predecessor: Louis Ier le Pieux (814-840)
- Successor: Louis II le Bègue (877-879)