- 813-840: Emperor of the Carolingian Empire
- 814-840: King of the Franks
- 814-840: King of the Lombards
- 814-840: King of the Bavarians
- 781-814: King of Aquitaine
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Louis the Pious Carolingian, King of Aquitaine, King of the Franks, Holy Roman Emperor, was born circa 16 April 778 in Chasseneuil, France to Charlemagne (747-814) and Hildegard (758-783) and died circa 20 June 840 N/A of N/A. He married Ermengarde of Hesbaye (c778-818) 794 JL . He married Judith of Bavaria (795-843) 819 JL in Aachen.
Biography
Louis the Pious, also known as Louis I or Louis the Fair, was a Carolingian emperor who reigned from 814 to 840. He was the son and successor of Charlemagne, the founder of the Carolingian Empire.
Here is an overview of Louis the Pious and his reign:
Early Life and Inheritance:
Louis the Pious was born on April 16, 778, in Chasseneuil, Frankia (modern-day France). He was the third son of Charlemagne and his wife Hildegard. Charlemagne had several wives and concubines, and Louis was the only surviving legitimate son at the time of his father's death in 814. As a result, he inherited the Carolingian Empire, which encompassed much of Western Europe.
Old High German Language
As a Carolingian emperor, Louis the Pious would have primarily spoken Old High German, which was the native language of the Frankish people during that time. Old High German was a West Germanic language spoken from the 6th to the 11th centuries. It was the ancestor of the modern German language.
However, it is important to note that Louis the Pious would have been multilingual, as the Carolingian Empire encompassed diverse regions and linguistic groups. He would have also been fluent in Latin, which was the language of the Church and the administrative language of the empire. Latin was used for official documents, correspondence, and religious purposes.
Additionally, due to the vast territory of the empire, Louis the Pious would have been exposed to various regional languages and dialects spoken by different ethnic groups under his rule. These could include Old Frankish, Old Saxon, Old Lombardic, Old French, and others, depending on the regions he governed.
Old High German Translations:
- Name: Hludowig the Frumahtere (Louis the Pious or Devout)
- Royal Titles:
- Chuning der Francon (Emperor of the Franks)
- Chuning der Langobardun (King of the Lombards)
- Chuning der Akitanier (King of the Aquitainians)
- Chuning der Baiwaren (King of the Bavarians)
Please note that Old High German spelling and pronunciation can vary, and there may be alternative spellings for certain words or titles. The provided forms are commonly used and representative of the language during that time.
Coronation and Co-Emperor:
Upon Charlemagne's death, Louis was immediately crowned as the Emperor of the Franks and Lombards. He continued his father's policies and attempted to maintain the unity of the empire. In 813, before Charlemagne's death, Louis had already been appointed co-emperor and had participated in the government alongside his father.
Religious Devotion:
Louis the Pious was deeply religious and sought to rule with a strong Christian faith. He was known for his piety, and his reign was marked by a close alliance with the Church. He supported the spread of Christianity and the education of priests. Louis was also instrumental in promoting monastic reform and the enforcement of religious discipline.
Challenges to Authority:
Throughout his reign, Louis faced numerous challenges to his authority, both internally and externally. His three sons, Lothair, Pepin, and Louis the German, each desired a greater share of the empire and sought to undermine their father's rule. They formed alliances with various nobles, leading to rebellions and civil wars. Louis struggled to maintain control and had to make concessions and compromises to appease his sons and the nobility.
Division of the Empire:
In an attempt to avoid further conflict and secure peace, Louis divided the Carolingian Empire among his three sons through the Treaty of Verdun in 843. Lothair received the title of Emperor and ruled over the central portion, known as Middle Francia, while Pepin and Louis the German received the eastern and western portions, respectively. This division laid the foundation for the future fragmentation of the Carolingian Empire.
Later Years and Death:
In the later years of his reign, Louis the Pious faced increasing challenges from within his own family. His sons continued to dispute their territories, and there were conflicts with the nobility. Louis faced a major rebellion in 830 led by his eldest son, Lothair, who sought to overthrow him. However, Louis managed to retain the throne and reconciled with Lothair.
Louis the Pious died on June 20, 840, in the city of Ingelheim, Germany. He was buried in the Abbey of Saint-Arnould in Metz. Despite the difficulties and divisions that marked his reign, Louis the Pious is remembered as a ruler who upheld the ideals of Christianity and sought to govern justly.
Legacy:
Louis the Pious left behind a complex legacy. While he was known for his religious devotion and attempts to maintain the unity of the empire, his reign was marked by instability and conflicts within his family. The divisions set in motion during his reign ultimately led to the fragmentation of the Carolingian Empire after his death, contributing to the rise of separate kingdoms in Western Europe. Overall, Louis the Pious played a significant role in the history of the Carolingian Empire and left an indelible mark on the political and religious landscape of his time.
Marriage and Family
1st Marriage: Ermengarde of Hesbaye
Ermengarde of Hesbaye (married c. 794),[1] She was the daughter of Ingerman, count of Hesbaye. Ermengarde played an influential role in the court.
They had had three sons and three daughters:
- Lothair (795-855)- king of Middle Francia - Lothair was the eldest surviving son of Louis the Pious and Ermengarde. He was born in 795 and played a prominent role during his father's reign. Lothair was designated as the co-emperor in 817 and later became the principal heir to the empire. However, conflicts arose between Lothair and his younger brothers over the division of the empire, leading to civil wars and the Treaty of Verdun in 843.
- Pepin I of Aquitaine (797-838) AKA: Pepin the Hunchback - king of Aquitaine - Pepin, also known as Pepin the Hunchback, was born in 797. He suffered from a physical deformity and was excluded from the succession to the imperial title due to his condition. However, he was appointed king of Aquitaine and had a minor role in the political affairs of the empire.
- Adelaide (c799-?) - the eldest daughter of Louis the Pious and Ermengarde. Not much is known about her life and activities.
- Rotrude (800-860) - another daughter of Louis and Ermengarde. Little information is available about her life and historical significance.
- Hildegard (c802-841) - She was married to Gerard, count of Auvergne, and they had several children. Hildegard was involved in the political affairs of the empire and exerted influence during her father's reign.
- Louis the German (c806-876), king of East Francia - was the youngest son of Louis the Pious and Ermengarde. He played a significant role in the partitioning of the Carolingian Empire after his father's death. He became the ruler of East Francia, which included the territories of present-day Germany.
2nd Marriage: Judith of Bavaria
After the death of Ermengarde, Louis married Judith of Bavaria in 819. Judith was the daughter of Count Welf of Bavaria. She was known for her beauty and ambition, which stirred controversy and caused conflicts within Louis' family. By his second wife, Judith of Bavaria, he had a daughter and a son:
- Gisela (c820-aft874) - married Eberhard of Friuli -
- Charles the Bald (823-877) = king of West Francia
Other Children
By an unknown concubine (probably Theodelinde of Sens), he had two illegitimate children:
Children
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Lothair (795-855) | 795 | 29 September 855 | Ermengard of Tours (801-851) Doda (?-?) |
Pepin I of Aquitaine (797-838) | 797 | 13 December 838 | Ingeltrude de Madrie (808-876) |
Adelaide (c799-?) | 799 | ||
Rotrude (800-860) | 802 | 23 August 860 | Gerard d'Auvergne (-841) |
Hildegard (c802-841) | 802 Maine | Rather de Limoges (?-841) | |
Louis the German (c806-876) | 806 | 28 August 876 Frankfurt am Main, Germany | Hemma of Altdorf (808-876) |
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Gisela (c820-aft874) | 820 | 874 | Eberhard di Friuli (c815-866) |
Charles the Bald (823-877) | 823 Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany | 877 Avrieux, France | Ermentrude d'Orléans (830-869) Richildis de Provence (c845-910) |
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Arnulf of Sens (c794-?) | 794 | 841 | |
Alpais (793-855) | 793 | 855 |
Siblings
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Pippin the Hunchback (c769-811) | 769 | 811 Prüm | |
Amaudru (c770-) |
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Rotrude (775-810) | 770 | 6 June 810 | Rorgon of Maine (c770-839) |
Charles the Younger (c772-811) | 772 | 4 December 811 Bavaria | |
Adelaide (c773-774) | 774 Pavie, Lombardy, Italy | 774 Italy | |
Pepin of Italy (773-810) | 773 Vermandois, Normandy, France | 8 July 810 Milan, Lombardy, Italy | Bertha of Gellone (c780-) Ingeltrude (c780-) |
Louis the Pious (778-840) | 16 April 778 Chasseneuil, France | 20 June 840 Ingelheim am Rhein | Ermengarde of Hesbaye (c778-818) Judith of Bavaria (795-843) Theodelinde of Sens (?-?) |
Lothair (778-c779) | 778 France | 779 | |
Bertha (779-823) | 779 | 823 | Angilbert (c750-814) |
Gisela (781-808) | 781 Milan | 808 | |
Hildegarde (783-783) | 783 France | 783 France |
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Adaltrude (774-) | 774 | 852 |
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Ruodhaid (c775-852) | 775 | 24 March 852 France |
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Theodrada (784-) | 784 | 9 January 849 Argenteuil | |
Hiltrude (787-) | 787 |
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Drogo of Metz (801-855) | 17 June 801 | 8 December 855 Luxeuil | |
Hugh (802-844) | 802 | 844 |
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Richbod (805-844) | 805 | 844 | |
Theodoric (807-819) | 807 | 819 |
See Also
- Louis Carolingian
- Frederick Barbarossa Family Ancestry
- House of Hohenstaufen
- Charlemagne Family Ancestry
- Carolingian dynasty
- Carolingian Empire
Bibliography
- Booker, Courtney M. Past Convictions: The Penance of Louis the Pious and the Decline of the Carolingians, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2009, ISBN 978-0-8122-4168-6
- De Jong, Mayke. The Penitential State: Authority and Atonement in the Age of Louis the Pious, 814–840. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2009.
- Depreux, Philippe. Prosopographie de l'entourage de Louis le Pieux (781–840). Sigmaringen: Thorbecke, 1997. A useful prosopographical overview of Louis's household, court and other subordinates.
- Eichler, Daniel. Fränkische Reichsversammlungen unter Ludwig dem Frommen. Hannover: Hahnsche Buchhandlung, 2007 (Monumenta Germaniae Historica Studien und Texte, 45).
- Ganshof, François-Louis The Carolingians and the Frankish Monarchy. 1971.
- Godman, Peter, and Roger Collins (eds.). Charlemagne's Heir: New Perspectives on the Reign of Louis the Pious (814–840). Oxford and New York: Clarendon Press, 1990.
- Oman, Charles. The Dark Ages 476–918. London, 1914.
- Fischer Drew, Katherine. The Laws of the Salian Franks, University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 0-8122-1322-X
- Noble, Thomas F. X. Louis the Pious and his piety re-reconsidered Link
External Links
- wikipedia:en:Louis the Pious
- Louis the Pious, Geni.com, https://www.geni.com/people/Louis-I-The-Pious/6000000001266578142, retrieved 22 June 2023
- Ancestry of Kings of Germany, fmg.ac, https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/GERMANY,%20Kings.htm, retrieved 22 June 2023
- Louis the Pious at thePeerage
- Cassinogilum: an argument for Casseneuil as Louis' birthplace
- Chasseneuil-du-Poitou and not Casseuil by Camille Jullian
Contemporary References
The best earliest contemporary sources about the life and reign of Louis the Pious are primarily found in the form of annals and chronicles from the Carolingian period. These sources provide valuable insights into the events and political climate of the time. Here are some of the key contemporary sources:
- Royal Frankish Annals (Annales regni Francorum): The Royal Frankish Annals, also known as the Annales regni Francorum, are one of the most important sources for the Carolingian period. These annals were written in the court of Louis the Pious and cover the period from 741 to 829. They provide a chronological account of significant events during Louis' reign and offer insights into political developments, wars, and imperial policies.
- Einhard's Vita Karoli Magni (Life of Charlemagne): While not specifically focused on Louis the Pious, Einhard's Vita Karoli Magni (Life of Charlemagne) is a valuable contemporary source that sheds light on the broader context of Louis' upbringing and his father's reign. Einhard was a courtier and scholar in Charlemagne's court, and his biography of Charlemagne provides information on the early life and achievements of Louis as Charlemagne's heir.
- Vita Hludovici Imperatoris, the main source for his reign, written c. 840 by an unknown author usually called "the Astronomer" is a biography of Louis the Pious. It provides a detailed account of his life and reign, covering events from his birth to his death in 840. The biography offers insights into Louis' religious devotion, his relationship with the Church, and the challenges he faced during his reign.
- Nithard's Historiae (Histories): Nithard, a grandson of Charlemagne and a participant in the civil wars of Louis the Pious' reign, wrote the Historiae. This work covers the period from 840 to 843 and provides a first-hand account of the struggles among Louis' sons for control of the empire. While it primarily focuses on the events after Louis' death, it offers valuable insights into the political and familial conflicts that marked his reign.
- Hincmar's De Ordine Palatii (On the Order of the Palace): Hincmar of Reims, an influential archbishop and advisor to Louis the Pious and his successors, wrote De Ordine Palatii. This work provides insights into the administration of the Carolingian court and the functioning of the palace during Louis' reign. It offers a glimpse into the political structures and decision-making processes of the empire.
- Gesta Hludowici Imperatoris by Thegan of Trier on-line Latin text
Royal Succession Charts
Louis the Pious (778-840) Born: 16 April 778 Died: 20 June 840
| ||
Regnal titles | ||
---|---|---|
New title | King of Aquitaine 781–814 |
Succeeded by Pepin I |
Preceded by Charlemagne |
Carolingian Emperor 813–840 with Lothair I (817–840) |
Succeeded by Lothair I |
King of the Franks 814–840 |
Succeeded by Lothair I as king of Middle Francia | |
Succeeded by Louis II as king of East Francia | ||
Succeeded by Charles II as king of West Francia |
References
- ^ McKitterick, Rosamond (2008). Charlemagne: The Formation of a European Identity. Cambridge University Press. p. 93.
Footnotes (including sources)
‡ General |
₪2 Wedding 2 |
₪2 Wedding 3 |
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