Other Events and Attributes:

• House: Carolingian
• Nickname: Lothar
• FSID: KH28-TN6
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Appointments / Titles: Aug 814; King of Bavaria
• Appointments / Titles: Between 817 and 855, Aachen, Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany; Emperor of the Romans
• Appointments / Titles: Between 817 and 855, Aachen, Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany; King of Italy
• Appointments / Titles: Between 818 and 855, Aachen, Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany; King of Lombardia
• Appointments / Titles: Between 840 and 855; Emperor of the West

Notes:

Lothair I, born in 795, was Emperor of the Roman Empire (co-ruling with his father, Louise the Pious, until 840). He was also the governor of Bavaria and King of Italy and Middle Francia. He was the eldest son of Louis and his wife Ermengarde of Hesbaye, daughter of Ingerman the duke of Hesbaye.

On several occasions, Lothair led his full-brothers, Pepin I of Aquitaine and Louis the German, in revolt against their father to protest against attempts to make their half-brother Charles the Bald a co-heir to the Frankish domains. Upon their father's death, Charles and Louis joined forces against Lothair in a three-year civil war that lasted from 840 to 843. The struggles between the brothers led directly to the breakup of the Frankish Empire that had been assembled by their grandfather Charlemagne, and it laid the foundation for the development of modern France and Germany.

Little is known of Lothair's early life, which probably was passed at the court of his grandfather Charlemagne. In 814, the elderly emperor died, and left his sole surviving legitimate son Louis the Pious as successor to his vast empire. The next year, Lothair would be sent to govern Bavaria for his father, the new emperor. In 817, Louis the Pious drew up his "Ordinatio Imperii." In it he designated Lothair as his principal heir and ordered that Lothair would be the overlord of Louis' younger sons Pippin of Aquitaine (who was 20) and Louis the German (who was 13), as well as his nephew Bernard of Italy, Lothair's cousin. Lothair also would inherit their lands if they died childless. Lothair, at age 22, then was crowned joint emperor by his father at Aachen. At the same time, Aquitaine and Bavaria were granted to his brothers Pippin and Louis, respectively, as subsidiary kingdoms. Following the death of Bernard, Lothair also received the Kingdom of Italy.

In 821, Lothair married Ermengarde (who died in 851), daughter of Hugh the Count of Tours. In 822, he assumed the government of Italy, and at Easter, April 5, 823, he was crowned emperor again by Pope Paschal I, this time at Rome. In November 824, Lothair promulgated a statute, the "Constitutio Romana," concerning the relations of pope and emperor, which reserved the supreme power to the secular potentate, and he afterwards issued various ordinances for the good government of Italy.

On Lothair's return to his father's court, his stepmother Judith won his consent to her plan for securing a kingdom for her son Charles, a scheme that was carried out in 829, when the young prince was given Alemannia as king. However, Lothair soon changed his attitude and spent the succeeding decade in constant strife over the division of the Empire with his father. He was alternately master of the Empire, then banished and confined to Italy, at one time taking up arms in alliance with his brothers, and at another time fighting against them, while the bounds of his appointed kingdom were in turn extended and reduced.

The first rebellion began in 830. All three brothers fought their father, whom they deposed. In 831, their father was reinstated and he deprived Lothair of his imperial title and gave Italy to Charles. The second rebellion was instigated by Angilbert II, Archbishop of Milan, in 833, and again Louis was deposed in 834. Through the loyalty of the Lombards and later reconciliations, Lothair retained Italy and the imperial position through all remaining divisions of the Empire by his father.

When Louis the Pious was dying in 840, he sent the imperial insignia to Lothair, who, disregarding the various partitions, claimed the whole of the Empire. He was 45 years old when his father died. Negotiations with his brother Louis the German and his half-brother Charles, both of whom resisted this claim, were followed by an alliance of the younger brothers against him. A decisive battle was fought at Fontenay-en-Puisaye on June 25, 841, when, in spite of his and his allied nephew Pepin II of Aquitaine's personal gallantry, Lothair was defeated and fled to Aachen.

With fresh troops, Lothair began a war of plunder, but the forces of his brothers were too strong, and taking with him such treasure as he could collect, he abandoned his capital to them. He met with the leaders of the "Stellinga" in Speyer and promised them his support in return for theirs, but Louis, and then the native Saxon nobility, put down the "Stellinga" in the next years.

Peace negotiations began, and in June 842 the brothers met on an island in the Saône. They agreed to an arrangement that developed, after much difficulty and delay, into the Treaty of Verdun, signed in August 843. By this, Lothair received the imperial title as well as northern Italy and a long stretch of territory from the North Sea to the Mediterranean, essentially along the valleys of the Rhine and the Rhône; this territory included the regions Lorraine, Alsace, Burgundy, and Provence. He soon ceded Italy to his eldest son, Louis, and remained in his new kingdom, engaging in alternate quarrels and reconciliations with his brothers and in futile efforts to defend his lands from the attacks of the Northmen (as Vikings were known in Frankish writings) and the Saracens (as those loyal to the various Fatimids, Umayyads and Abbasides are known in Frankish writings). In 845, the count of Arles, Fulcrad, led a rebellion in Provence. The emperor put it down and the count joined him in an expedition against the Saracens in Italy in 846.

In 855, Lothair became seriously ill, and despairing of recovery, he renounced the throne, divided his lands among his three sons, and on September 23 entered the monastery of Prüm, where he died six days later. He was buried at Prüm, where his remains were found in 1860. It was at Prüm that Lothair was most commemorated. The same year, Lothair's kingdom was divided among his three sons in a deal called the Treaty of Prüm: the eldest, Louis II, received Italy and the title of emperor; the second, Lothair II, received Lotharingia; the youngest, Charles, received Provence.

Lothair married Ermengarde of Tours in 821, who died in 851. their children were: Louis II, crowned King of Italy in 844 by Pope Sergius II and crowned Emperor in 850, who married Engelberga; Hiltrude, who married Berengar of Spoleto; Bertha, who married an unknown man and was later Abbess of Avenay; Gisela, Abbess of San Salvatore at Brescia; Lothair II, who succeeded his father and married Teutberga, daughter of Boso the Elder, Count of Arles; Rotrude, who married Lambert III of Nantes; and Charles, who was Invested with Provence, Lyon and Transjuranian Burgundy.

Lothair had one known illegitimate child, Carloman.

-- Wikiwand: Lothair I

Lotharius married de Tours, Empress Ermengarde in Oct 821 in Thionville, Moselle, Lorraine, France. Ermengarde (daughter of de Tours, Hugues and de Morvois, Ava) was born in 804 in Tours, Indre-et-Loire, Centre, France; was christened on 5 Oct 816 in France; died on 20 Mar 851 in Erstein, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France; was buried on 20 Mar 851 in Erstein, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. of Bavaria, Ludwig II was born on 13 Jun 825 in Alsace, Lorraine, France; died on 12 Aug 875 in Ghedi, Brescia, Lombardia, Italy; was buried after 12 Aug 875 in Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, Milan, Milano, Lombardia, Italy.
2. de Lorraine, Princess Ermengarde was born in 827 in Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine, France; died on 14 Jun 877; was buried in Wien, Wien, Wien, Austria.
3. de Lorraine, Lothaire II was born in 835 in Alsace, Lorraine, France; died on 8 Aug 869 in Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; was buried after 8 Aug 869 in Church of San Antonio the Martyr, Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Appointments / Titles: King of Italy
• House: Carloginian
• Nickname: The Pious
• FSID: LZT6-KB5
• Appointments / Titles: Between 781 and 814; King of Aquitaine
• Appointments / Titles: Between 814 and 840; Emperor of the West
• Appointments / Titles: Between 814 and 840; King of the Franks
• Residence: 19 Jun 840, Ingelheim am Rhein, Mainz-Bingen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany; Rheinhausen Hesse (house by the river); (present Rheinhessen)

Notes:

Louis the Pious (16 April 778–20 June 840), also called the Fair and the Debonaire, was the King of the Franks and co-emperor with his father, Charlemagne, from 813. He was also King of Aquitaine from 781. As the only surviving son of Charlemagne and Hildegard, he became the sole ruler of the Franks after his father's death in 814, a position which he held until his death, save for the period 833–834, during which he was deposed.

Louis married firstly Ermengarde of Hesbaye in c. 794. Children:
1 Lothair (795–855), king of Middle Francia
2 Pepin (797–838), king of Aquitaine
3 Adelaide (b. c. 799)
4 Rotrude (b. 800)
5 Hildegard (or Matilda) (b. c. 802)
6 Louis the German (c. 806–876), king of East Francia

Louis married secondly Judith of Bavaria. Children:
1 Gisela, married Eberhard of Friuli
2 Charles the Bald, king of West Francia

By an unknown concubine (probably Theodelinde of Sens) [citation needed], he had two illegitimate children:
1 Arnulf of Sens
2 Alpais

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_the_Pious
Louis the Pious (778 – 20 June 840), also called the Fair, and the Debonair, was the King of the Franks and co-emperor with his father, Charlemagne, from 813. He was also King of Aquitaine from 781. As the only surviving adult son of Charlemagne

Louis married de Hesbaye, Empress Ermengarde. Ermengarde was born on 28 May 778 in Belgium; was christened on 5 Oct 816 in Kingdom of the Franks; died on 3 Oct 818 in Angers, Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire, France; was buried on 4 Oct 818 in Erstein Abbey, Erstein, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Life Event: Koningin der Franken; Queen of the Franks; Reina de Francia
• Life Event: Princess of Hesbania (d' Hesbaye)
• Life Event: Queen of Italy; Reina de Francia
• FSID: LZL6-MM6
• Occupation: Empress of the West

Notes:

This is Irmingard von HAspengau. She is also known as Irmingard von HEspengau, and as Ermengarde de Hesbaye or Ermengarde of Hesbaye.

She was born about 778 (https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ermengarde_de_Hesbaye), and died on 3 Oct 818 (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irmingard_von_Hespengau).

Her father was Ingram, also known as Ingerman. See https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingram_(Franke)

Do not confuse this person with Ermengarde of Tours, the daughter of Hugh of Tours and the wife of Lothair I (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ermengarde_of_Tours).

Thank you.

Other Events and Attributes:

• House: House of Carolingians
• FSID: LZ62-TSV
• Appointments / Titles: Between 768 and 814; King of the Franks
• Military: 1 Jul 772; The Saxons resisted and the war lasted about 30 years conquered pagan Saxony
• Appointments / Titles: 774; King of the Lombards
• Military: Oct 782, Verdun, Meuse, Lorraine, France; the campaign against the Saxons to his east lead to the Massacre of Verden
• Appointments / Titles: Between 800 and 814; Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire

Notes:

Charlemagne, also Charles I, Charles the Great, Carolus Magus, Charles le Grand and Karl de Grosse
Originally he was named Charles, after his Frankish grandfather Charles Martel, it was not until much later that historians began calling him Charles the Great or Charles le Magne which evolved into Charlemagne.
Charlemagne was the oldest son of Pepin the Short and Bertrada of Laon, born before their canonical marriage, on 2 April 742, most likely at Aachen. Charlemagne was technically an illegitimate child, since he was born out of wedlock; Pepin and Bertrada were bound by a private contract or Friedelehe at the time of his birth, but did not marry until 744.
He became king in 768 following his father's death, initially as co-ruler with his brother Carloman I. Carloman's sudden death in December 771 under unexplained circumstances left Charlemagne the sole ruler of the Frankish Kingdom. He continued his father's policy towards the papacy and became its protector, removing the Lombards from power in northern Italy and leading an incursion into Muslim Spain.

Charles I, was King of the Franks from 768, King of the Lombards from 774, and Emperor of the Romans from 800. During the Early Middle Ages, he united the majority of western and central Europe. He was the first recognized emperor to rule from western Europe since the fall of the Western Roman Empire three centuries earlier. The expanded Frankish state that Charlemagne founded is called the Carolingian Empire. He was later canonized by Antipope Paschal III.

In his role as a zealous defender of Christianity, Charlemagne gave money and land to the Christian church and protected the popes. As a way to acknowledge Charlemagne’s power and reinforce his relationship with the church, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor of the Romans on December 25, 800, at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

As emperor, Charlemagne proved to be a talented diplomat and able administrator of the vast area he controlled. He promoted education and encouraged the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of renewed emphasis on scholarship and culture. He instituted economic and religious reforms, and was a driving force behind the Carolingian miniscule, a standardized form of writing that later became a basis for modern European printed alphabets. Charlemagne ruled from a number of cities and palaces, but spent significant time in Aachen. His palace there included a school, for which he recruited the best teachers in the land.

In addition to learning, Charlemagne was interested in athletic pursuits. Known to be highly energetic, he enjoyed hunting, horseback riding and swimming. Aachen held particular appeal for him due to its therapeutic warm springs.

Charlemagne had eighteen children with eight of his ten known wives or concubines. Nonetheless, he had only four legitimate grandsons, the four sons of his fourth son, Louis. In addition, he had a grandson (Bernard of Italy, the only son of his third son, Pepin of Italy), who was illegitimate but included in the line of inheritance. Among his descendants are several royal dynasties, including the Habsburg, Capetian and Plantagenet dynasties. By consequence, most if not all established European noble families ever since can genealogically trace some of their background to Charlemagne.

In 813, Charlemagne called Louis the Pious, king of Aquitaine, his only surviving legitimate son, to his court. There Charlemagne crowned his son as co-emperor and sent him back to Aquitaine. He then spent the autumn hunting before returning to Aachen on 1 November. In January, he fell ill with pleurisy and on 28 January 814 Charlemagne died, in the seventy-second year of his age and the forty-seventh of his reign.He was buried that same day, in Aachen Cathedral.
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I have included the 'Royal Ancestry" information below in cooperation with other members here, but would like to point out it is not the ONLY or even the best source of information on Charlemagne. Most of the information found in it originally came from "Vita Karoli Magni" written by Eginhard, who was Charlemagne's own court biographer and actually knew, and lived among, Charlemagne's family.
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“Royal Ancestry: A Study in Colonial & Medieval Families,” Douglas Richardson (2013):
“CHARLEMAGNE, King of the Franks, 768-814, King of the Langobards, 773-814, Emperor of the Romans, 800-814, son of Pépin (nicknamed "le Bref”), King of the Franks, by Bertrade, daughter of Charibert, Count of Laon. On the death of his father in 768, he became King of the Franks jointly with his brother, Carloman, and was crowned 9 October 768 at Noyon. He married (1st c.769-770, daughter of Desiderius, king of the Lombards. They had no issue. He married (2nd) before 30 April 771 HILDEGARDE, daughter of Gerold I, Count in Vinzgau, by Imma (or Emma), daughter of Count Nebi (or Hnabi). They had four sons, Charles, Pépin [King of Italy], Louis (I) [King of Aquitaine, Emperor], and Lothair, and five daughters, Adelaide (or Adelheid), Rotrude, Berthe, Gisele, and Hildegarde. On the death of his brother, Carloman, in 771, he reunited his father's possessions. He conquered the kingdom of the Lombards in 773. He used the title "rex Francorum et Langobardorum" from 5 June 774, adding "atque patricius Romanorum" from 16 July 774. His wife, Hildegarde, died at Thionville (Moselle) 30 April 783, and was buried in the church of the abbey of Saint Arnoul at Metz. He married (3rd) at Worms in October 783 FASTRADA, daughter of Radulf, Count in Franconia. They had two daughters, Theodrade [Abbess of Argenteuil] and Hiltrude. His wife, Fastrada, died at Frankfurt 10 August 794, and was buried in the basilica of Saint-Alban in Mainz. He married (4th) c.794-796 LIUTGARDE, an Alamannian. They had no issue. By various mistresses, he had four illegitimate sons, Pépin, Dreux [Bishop of Metz], Hugues, and Thierry (or Theodoric), and three illegitimate daughters, Chrothais, Rothlldis (or Rouhaut) [Abbess at Faremoutiers], and Adaltrude. His wife, Liutgarde, died at Tours 4 June 800, and was buried in the church of Saint-Martin in Tours. He was crowned Emperor of the Romans at St. Peter's, Rome 25 December 800. CHARLEMAGNE, Emperor of the Romans, died at Aachen 28 January 814, and was buried at Aix-la-Chapelle.
Guerard Cartulaire de l’Abbeye de Saint-Berlin (Coll. des Cartulaires de France 3) (1840): 55-56 (Chartulatium Sithiense, Pars Prima, Folquini Lib. I.). Henaux Charlemagne d'après les Traditions liégeoises (1878). Eginhard Life of Charlemagne (1880). Monumenta Germaniæ Historica SS XIII (1881): 219. (Annales Necrologici Prumienses [necrology of Prüm]: "Anno Domini incarn. 814. Karolus imperator 5 Kal. Feb. [28 Jan.] feliciter diem ultimum clausit, anno etatis suae circiter 71."). Cutts Charlemagne (1882). Monumenta Germaniæ Historica (Necrologia Germaniæ 1) (1888): 273 (Necrologium Augiæ Divitis: kat Ianuarius [28 January] - Karolus imperator."). Birch Cat. Seals in the British Museum 5 (1898): 111 (seal of Charlemagne dated A.D. 774- Oval: impression from an oval intaglio engraved stone. A bust, draped, turned to the right in profile. Legend: + XPE PROTEGE CAROLVM REGE FRANC.), 111 (seal of Charlemagne dated A.D. 812 - Oval: impression of an antique oval intaglio gem. Bust of Jupiter Serapis, with the modius on his head, in profile to the left. No legend.). Hodgkin Life of Charlemagne (1902). Halphen Recueil d'Annales Angevines et Vendômoises (1903): 52 (Annales de Vendôme sub A.D. 814: "Inclitus imperator Karolus migravit ad Christum feliciter, amen, v kalendas feburarii [28 January]."). Russell Charlemagne, First of the Moderns (1930). Scholz & Rogers Carolingian Chronicles: Royal Frankish Annals & Nithard's Histories (1970): 61 (Royal Frankish Annals sub A.D. 783: "The worthy Lady Queen Hildegard died on April 30, which fell that year on the eve of the Ascension of the Lord."). Banfield Charlemagne (1986). Winter Descs. of Charlemagne (800-1400) (1987): I, II.1-II.18. Settipani & von Kerrebrouck La Préhistoire des Capetians (1993). Collins Charlemagne (1998). Becher Charlemagne (2003). Bhote Charlemagne: The Life & Times of an Early Medieval Emperor (2005). Story Charlemagne: Empire & Society (2005). Wilson Charlemagne: A Biography (2005). Einhard and Notker the Stammerer Two Lives of Charlemagne (2008). McKitterick Charlemagne: The Formation of a European Identity (2008).
Children of Charlemagne, by Hildegarde:
i. PÉPIN (or PIPPIN), King of Italy [see next].
ii. LOUIS, King of Aquitaine, Emperor, married (1st) ERMENGARDE OF HASPENGAU; (2nd) JUDITH OF ALTORF [see Line B, Gen. 2 below].”

Charlemagne married von Vinzgau, Hildegard in 771. Hildegard (daughter of of Kraichgau, Gérold I and of Alemannia, Imma) was born on 2 Apr 757 in Aachen, Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany; was christened on 2 Apr 757 in Kingdom of the Franks; died on 30 Apr 783 in Thionville, Moselle, Lorraine, France; was buried on 1 May 783 in Metz, Moselle, Lorraine, France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Appointments / Titles: Empress of the West
• Appointments / Titles: Princess of Swabia
• Appointments / Titles: Queen of the Franks
• FSID: L4BH-JYR

Notes:

Hildegard of the Vinzgau was the daughter of Count Gerold of Kraichgau (founder of the Udalriching family) and his wife Emma (who was the daughter of Duke Nebe (Hnabi) of Alemannia and Hereswintha vom Bodensee of Lake Constance). She was born about 757 in Ravensburg, Kraichgau, the only daughter of the family, she had four brothers.

In 771, at the age of 12 or 12, Hildegard married Charlemagne, becoming his 2nd wife. They had a close marriage. Hildegard often accompanied him on military campaigns and traveling for state occasions. In the 12 years of their marriage Hildegarde had 8 pregnancies resulting in 9 children:
- Charles the Younger b.c. 772, Duke of Maine, King of the Franks
- Adalhaid (774), who was born whilst her parents were on campaign in Italy. She was sent back to Francia, but died before reaching Lyons
- Rotrude (or Hruodrud) (775–6 June 810)
- Carloman, renamed Pepin b. 777, King of Italy
- Louis (778–20 June 840), twin of Lothair, King of Aquitaine, King of the Franks/co-emperor in 813, senior Emperor from 814
- Lothair (778–6 February 779/780), twin of Louis, died in infancy
- Bertha (779–826)
- Gisela (781–808)
- Hildegarde (782–783)

Hildegard died on 30 April 783, from the after effects of her last childbirth. She was buried the following day (1 May 783) in the Abbey of Saint-Arnould in Metz. The child, named Hildegarde after her mother, died in 783 also. Even Pope Adrian I expressed condolences to Charlemagne upon hearing of her death.
At Charlemagne's request candles were burned near her grave and prayers said daily for her soul.

Hildegarde was well respected during her lifetime, she was a friend of Saint Leoba, and although never canonized herself was regarded locally as a saint throughout the Middle Ages, often depicted with an aureola.
She traveled often with Charlemagne and the children and was in Rome with them in 780 when Carloman (Pepin) and Louis were made kings. When not traveling with her husband, Hildegard ruled the court in his absence.

******

•
Note
“Royal Ancestry: A Study in Colonial & Medieval Families,” Douglas Richardson (2013):
“CHARLEMAGNE, King of the Franks, 768-814, King of the Langobards, 773-814, Emperor of the Romans, 800-814, son of Pépin (nicknamed "le Bref”), King of the Franks, by Bertrade, daughter of Charibert, Count of Laon. On the death of his father in 768, he became King of the Franks jointly with his brother, Carloman, and was crowned 9 October 768 at Noyon. He married (1st c.769-770, daughter of Desiderius, king of the Lombards. They had no issue. He married (2nd) before 30 April 771 HILDEGARDE, daughter of Gerold I, Count in Vinzgau, by Imma (or Emma), daughter of Count Nebi (or Hnabi). They had four sons, Charles, Pépin [King of Italy], Louis (I) [King of Aquitaine, Emperor], and Lothair, and five daughters, Adelaide (or Adelheid), Rotrude, Berthe, Gisele, and Hildegarde. On the death of his brother, Carloman, in 771, he reunited his father's possessions. He conquered the kingdom of the Lombards in 773. He used the title "rex Francorum et Langobardorum" from 5 June 774, adding "atque patricius Romanorum" from 16 July 774. His wife, Hildegarde, died at Thionville (Moselle) 30 April 783, and was buried in the church of the abbey of Saint Arnoul at Metz. He married (3rd) at Worms in October 783 FASTRADA, daughter of Radulf, Count in Franconia. They had two daughters, Theodrade [Abbess of Argenteuil] and Hiltrude. His wife, Fastrada, died at Frankfurt 10 August 794, and was buried in the basilica of Saint-Alban in Mainz. He married (4th) c.794-796 LIUTGARDE, an Alamannian. They had no issue. By various mistresses, he had four illegitimate sons, Pépin, Dreux [Bishop of Metz], Hugues, and Thierry (or Theodoric), and three illegitimate daughters, Chrothais, Rothlldis (or Rouhaut) [Abbess at Faremoutiers], and Adaltrude. His wife, Liutgarde, died at Tours 4 June 800, and was buried in the church of Saint-Martin in Tours. He was crowned Emperor of the Romans at St. Peter's, Rome 25 December 800. CHARLEMAGNE, Emperor of the Romans, died at Aachen 28 January 814, and was buried at Aix-la-Chapelle.
Guerard Cartulaire de l’Abbeye de Saint-Berlin (Coll. des Cartulaires de France 3) (1840): 55-56 (Chartulatium Sithiense, Pars Prima, Folquini Lib. I.). Henaux Charlemagne d'après les Traditions liégeoises (1878). Eginhard Life of Charlemagne (1880). Monumenta Germaniæ Historica SS XIII (1881): 219. (Annales Necrologici Prumienses [necrology of Prüm]: "Anno Domini incarn. 814. Karolus imperator 5 Kal. Feb. [28 Jan.] feliciter diem ultimum clausit, anno etatis suae circiter 71."). Cutts Charlemagne (1882). Monumenta Germaniæ Historica (Necrologia Germaniæ 1) (1888): 273 (Necrologium Augiæ Divitis: kat Ianuarius [28 January] - Karolus imperator."). Birch Cat. Seals in the British Museum 5 (1898): 111 (seal of Charlemagne dated A.D. 774- Oval: impression from an oval intaglio engraved stone. A bust, draped, turned to the right in profile. Legend: + XPE PROTEGE CAROLVM REGE FRANC.), 111 (seal of Charlemagne dated A.D. 812 - Oval: impression of an antique oval intaglio gem. Bust of Jupiter Serapis, with the modius on his head, in profile to the left. No legend.). Hodgkin Life of Charlemagne (1902). Halphen Recueil d'Annales Angevines et Vendômoises (1903): 52 (Annales de Vendôme sub A.D. 814: "Inclitus imperator Karolus migravit ad Christum feliciter, amen, v kalendas feburarii [28 January]."). Russell Charlemagne, First of the Moderns (1930). Scholz & Rogers Carolingian Chronicles: Royal Frankish Annals & Nithard's Histories (1970): 61 (Royal Frankish Annals sub A.D. 783: "The worthy Lady Queen Hildegard died on April 30, which fell that year on the eve of the Ascension of the Lord."). Banfield Charlemagne (1986). Winter Descs. of Charlemagne (800-1400) (1987): I, II.1-II.18. Settipani & von Kerrebrouck La Préhistoire des Capetians (1993). Collins Charlemagne (1998). Becher Charlemagne (2003). Bhote Charlemagne: The Life & Times of an Early Medieval Emperor (2005). Story Charlemagne: Empire & Society (2005). Wilson Charlemagne: A Biography (2005). Einhard and Notker the Stammerer Two Lives of Charlemagne (2008). McKitterick Charlemagne: The Formation of a European Identity (2008).
Children of Charlemagne, by Hildegarde:
i. PÉPIN (or PIPPIN), King of Italy [see next].
ii. LOUIS, King of Aquitaine, Emperor, married (1st) ERMENGARDE OF HASPENGAU; (2nd) JUDITH OF ALTORF [see Line B, Gen. 2 below].”

Hildegard (wife of Charlemagne)

Hildegard (* approx. 758; † April 30, 783 in Diedenhofen an der Mosel) was the third wife of Charlemagne and mother of Ludwig the Pious. Little information can be found about her life, because like all of Karl's wives she was in the political background and was only mentioned in relation to her wedding, her death and as a mother

She was the daughter of the Frankish Count Gerold from the Geroldon family and Imma, daughter of the Alemannic Count Hnabi and Hereswintha from Lake Constance. Her father owned extensive possessions in the territory of Karl's younger brother Karlmann, which makes this marriage one of Karl's most important long-term relationships, as he was able to strengthen his position in the areas east of the Rhine and bind the Alemannic nobility to himself. Among the Hildegard siblings, the adviser of Charlemagne stands out, the military leader Gerold the Younger, who was also mentioned as Count in der Baar and in Nagoldgau

Since Hildegard's exact dates of birth are not available, it can be assumed that she was between 12 and 14 years old at the time. A marriage at this age was not unusual at the time, as the marriageable age was fixed at sexual maturity. In Roman law, which was widely accepted by the church, the minimum age for marriage for girls was set at 12 years

Hildegard died on April 30th, 783 shortly after the birth of her last daughter and was buried on May 1st in the Abbey of Sankt Arnulf in Metz. It was Karl's wish that candles should always be lit on her grave and that prayers should be said for the deceased every day

Although Karl already had a son by his first wife, in the will of 806 (Divisio Regnorum) the empire was divided among the three sons of Hildegard who reached adulthood. Because her son Ludwig the Pious succeeded Karl as emperor, Hildegard was called the "mother of kings and emperors"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlemagne#Wives,_concubines,_and_children

Other Events and Attributes:

• Nickname: The Short
• FSID: 9MWY-PTR
• Residence: Basilica of St Denis, Paris, Île-de-France, France
• Appointments / Titles: Between 741 and 751, Kingdom of Neustria (Historical); On the death of Charles Martel in 741, Pepin succeeding his father as the Mayor of the Palace of Neustria while his older brother Carloman became Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia.
• Appointments / Titles: Between 751 and 24 Sep 768, Soissons, Aisne, Picardie, France; Elected King of the Franks by an assembly of Frankish nobles in 751, Pepin was anointed King of the Franks by Boniface, Archbishop of Mainzin, in Soissons.
• Religion: 752, Metz, Moselle, Lorraine, France; Appointed Archbishop of Metz
• Appointments / Titles: 754, Basilica of St Denis, Paris, Île-de-France, France; In 754 Pepin was anointed King a second time by Pope Stephen II in Paris at the Basilica of St Denis. In the lavish ceremony the Pope also bestowed upon him the additional title of Patrician of the Romans. This is the first recorded crowning of a civil ruler by a Pope.

Notes:

Pepin the Short
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pepin the Short
King of the Franks
Reign 751 – 24 September 768
Predecessor Childeric III
Successor Charlemagne and Carloman I
Mayor of the Palace of Neustria
Reign 741–751
Predecessor Charles Martel
Successor Merged into crown
Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia
Reign 747–751
Predecessor Carloman
Successor Merged into crown
Born 714
Died 24 September 768 (aged 54)
Saint-Denis
Burial Basilica of St Denis
Spouse Bertrada of Laon
Issue Charlemagne
Carloman I
Gisela
Dynasty Carolingian
Father Charles Martel
Mother Rotrude of Hesbaye
Religion Roman Catholicism
Signature Pepin the Short's signature
Pepin the Short[a] (German: Pippin der Jüngere, French: Pépin le Bref, c. 714 – 24 September 768) was the King of the Franks from 751 until his death in 768. He was the first of the Carolingians to become king.[b][2]

The younger son of the Frankish prince Charles Martel and his wife Rotrude, Pepin's upbringing was distinguished by the ecclesiastical education he had received from the monks of St. Denis. Succeeding his father as the Mayor of the Palace in 741, Pepin reigned over Francia jointly with his elder brother Carloman. Pepin ruled in Neustria, Burgundy and Provence, while his older brother Carloman established himself in Austrasia, Alemannia and Thuringia. The brothers were active in suppressing revolts led by the Bavarians, Aquitanians, Saxons and the Alemanni in the early years of their reign. In 743, they ended the Frankish interregnum by choosing Childeric III, who was to be the last Merovingian monarch, as figurehead king of the Franks.

Being well disposed towards the church and papacy on account of their ecclesiastical upbringing, Pepin and Carloman continued their father's work in supporting Saint Boniface in reforming the Frankish church, and evangelising the Saxons. After Carloman, who was an intensely pious man, retired to religious life in 747, Pepin became the sole ruler of the Franks. He suppressed a revolt led by his half-brother Grifo, and succeeded in becoming the undisputed master of all Francia. Giving up pretense, Pepin then forced Childeric into a monastery and had himself proclaimed king of the Franks with support of Pope Zachary in 751. The decision was not supported by all members of the Carolingian family and Pepin had to put down a revolt led by Carloman's son, Drogo, and again by Grifo.

As king, Pepin embarked on an ambitious program to expand his power. He reformed the legislation of the Franks and continued the ecclesiastical reforms of Boniface. Pepin also intervened in favour of the papacy of Stephen II against the Lombards in Italy. He was able to secure several cities, which he then gave to the Pope as part of the Donation of Pepin. This formed the legal basis for the Papal States in the Middle Ages. The Byzantines, keen to make good relations with the growing power of the Frankish empire, gave Pepin the title of Patricius. In wars of expansion, Pepin conquered Septimania from the Islamic Umayyads, and subjugated the southern realms by repeatedly defeating Waiofar and his Gascon troops, after which the Gascon and Aquitanian lords saw no option but to pledge loyalty to the Franks. Pepin was, however, troubled by the relentless revolts of the Saxons and the Bavarians. He campaigned tirelessly in Germany, but the final subjugation of these tribes was left to his successors.

Pepin died in 768 and was succeeded by his sons Charlemagne and Carloman. Although unquestionably one of the most powerful and successful rulers of his time, Pepin's reign is largely overshadowed by that of his more famous son, Charlemagne.

Contents
1 Assumption of power
2 First Carolingian King
3 Expansion of the Frankish realm
4 Legacy
5 Family
6 Notes
7 References
8 Further reading
9 External links
Assumption of power
Pepin's father Charles Martel died in 741. He divided the rule of the Frankish kingdom between Pepin and his elder brother, Carloman, his surviving sons by his first wife: Carloman became Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia, Pepin became Mayor of the Palace of Neustria. Grifo, Charles's son by his second wife, Swanahild (also known as Swanhilde), demanded a share in the inheritance, but he was besieged in Laon, forced to surrender and imprisoned in a monastery by his two half-brothers.

In the Frankish realm the unity of the kingdom was essentially connected with the person of the king. So Carloman, to secure this unity, raised the Merovingian Childeric to the throne (743). Then in 747 Carloman either resolved to or was pressured into entering a monastery. This left Francia in the hands of Pepin as sole mayor of the palace and dux et princeps Francorum.

At the time of Carloman's retirement, Grifo escaped his imprisonment and fled to Duke Odilo of Bavaria, who was married to Hiltrude, Pepin's sister. Pepin put down the renewed revolt led by his half-brother and succeeded in completely restoring the boundaries of the kingdom.

Under the reorganization of Francia by Charles Martel, the dux et princeps Francorum was the commander of the armies of the kingdom, in addition to his administrative duties as mayor of the palace.[3]

Coronation in 751 of Pepin the Short by Boniface, Archbishop of Mainz
First Carolingian King
As mayor of the palace, Pepin was formally subject to the decisions of Childeric III who had only the title of King but no power. Since Pepin had control over the magnates and actually had the power of a king, he now addressed to Pope Zachary a suggestive question:

In regard to the kings of the Franks who no longer possess the royal power: is this state of things proper?
Hard pressed by the Lombards, Pope Zachary welcomed this move by the Franks to end an intolerable condition and lay the constitutional foundations for the exercise of the royal power. The Pope replied that such a state of things is not proper. In these circumstances, the de facto power was considered more important than the de jure authority.

After this decision the throne was declared vacant. Childeric III was deposed and confined to a monastery. He was the last of the Merovingians.

Pepin was then elected King of the Franks by an assembly of Frankish nobles, with a large portion of his army on hand. The earliest account of his election and anointing is the Clausula de Pippino written around 767. Meanwhile, Grifo continued his rebellion, but was eventually killed in the battle of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne in 753.

Pepin was assisted by his friend Vergilius of Salzburg, an Irish monk who probably used a copy of the "Collectio canonum Hibernensis" (an Irish collection of canon law) to advise him to receive royal unction to assist his recognition as king.[4] Anointed a first time in 751 in Soissons, Pepin added to his power after Pope Stephen II traveled all the way to Paris to anoint him a second time in a lavish ceremony at the Basilica of St Denis in 754, bestowing upon him the additional title of patricius Romanorum (Patrician of the Romans) and is the first recorded crowning of a civil ruler by a Pope.[5] As life expectancies were short in those days, and Pepin wanted family continuity, the Pope also anointed Pepin's sons, Charles (eventually known as Charlemagne), who was 12, and Carloman, who was 3.

Expansion of the Frankish realm

Muslim troops leaving Narbonne in 759, after 40 years of occupation

Pepin's expedition to Septimania and Aquitaine (760)
Pepin's first major act as king was to go to war against the Lombard king Aistulf, who had expanded into the ducatus Romanus. After a meeting with Pope Stephen II at Ponthion, Pepin forced the Lombard king to return property seized from the Church.[6] He confirmed the papacy in possession of Ravenna and the Pentapolis, the so-called Donation of Pepin, whereby the Papal States were established and the temporal reign of the papacy officially began.[6] At about 752, he turned his attention to Septimania. The new king headed south in a military expedition down the Rhone valley and received the submission of eastern Septimania (i.e. Nîmes, Maguelone, Beziers and Agde) after securing count Ansemund's allegiance. The Frankish king went on to invest Narbonne, the main Umayyad stronghold in Septimania, but could not capture it from the Iberian Muslims until seven years later in 759,[7] when they were driven out to Hispania.

Aquitaine still remained under Waiofar's Gascon-Aquitanian rule, however, and beyond Frankish reach. Duke Waiofar appears to have confiscated Church lands, maybe distributing them among his troops. In 760, after conquering the Roussillon from the Muslims and denouncing Waiofar's actions, Pepin moved his troops over to Toulouse and Albi, ravaged with fire and sword most of Aquitaine, and, in retaliation, counts loyal to Waiofar ravaged Burgundy.[8] Pepin, in turn, besieged the Aquitanian-held towns and strongholds of Bourbon, Clermont, Chantelle, Bourges and Thouars, defended by Waiofar's Gascon troops, who were overcome, captured and deported into northern France with their children and wives.[9]

In 763, Pepin advanced further into the heart of Waiofar's domains and captured major strongholds (Poitiers, Limoges, Angoulême, etc.), after which Waiofar counterattacked and war became bitter. Pepin opted to spread terror, burning villas, destroying vineyards and depopulating monasteries. By 765, the brutal tactics seemed to pay off for the Franks, who destroyed resistance in central Aquitaine and devastated the whole region. The city of Toulouse was conquered by Pepin in 767 as was Waiofar's capital of Bordeaux.[10]

As a result, Aquitanian nobles and Gascons from beyond the Garonne too saw no option but to accept a pro-Frankish peace treaty (Fronsac, c. 768). Waiofar escaped but was assassinated by his own frustrated followers in 768.

Legacy

Allegoric depiction of Pepin
Pepin died during a campaign, in 768 at the age of 54. He was interred in the Basilica of Saint Denis in modern-day Metropolitan Paris. His wife Bertrada was also interred there in 783. Charlemagne rebuilt the Basilica in honor of his parents and placed markers at the entrance.

The Frankish realm was divided according to the Salic law between his two sons: Charlemagne and Carloman I.

Historical opinion often seems to regard him as the lesser son and lesser father of two greater men, though a great man in his own right. He continued to build up the heavy cavalry which his father had begun. He maintained the standing army that his father had found necessary to protect the realm and form the core of its full army in wartime. He not only contained the Iberian Muslims as his father had, but drove them out of what is now France and, as important, he managed to subdue the Aquitanians and the Gascons after three generations of on-off clashes, so opening the gate to central and southern Gaul and Muslim Iberia. He continued his father's expansion of the Frankish church (missionary work in Germany and Scandinavia) and the institutional infrastructure (feudalism) that would prove the backbone of medieval Europe.

His rule, while not as great as either his father's or son's, was historically important and of great benefit to the Franks as a people. Pepin's assumption of the crown, and the title of Patrician of Rome, were harbingers of his son's imperial coronation which is usually seen as the founding of the Kingdom of France. He made the Carolingians de jure what his father had made them de facto—the ruling dynasty of the Franks and the foremost power of Europe. Known as a great conqueror, he was undefeated during his lifetime.

Family
Pepin married Leutberga from the Danube region. They had five children. She was repudiated some time after the birth of Charlemagne and her children were sent to convents.

In 741, Pepin married Bertrada, daughter of Caribert of Laon. They are known to have had eight children, at least three of whom survived to adulthood:

Charles (2 April 742 – 28 January 814), (Charlemagne)
Carloman (751 – 4 December 771)
Gisela (757–810)
Pepin, died in infancy.
Chrothais, died young, buried in Metz.
Adelais, died young, buried in Metz.

Peppin married de Laon, Queen Bertrada II. Bertrada was born on 1 Apr 720 in Laon, Aisne, Picardie, France; was christened on 2 Apr 720 in Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis, Île-de-France, France; died on 12 Jul 783 in Choisy, Oise, Picardie, France; was buried on 16 Jul 783 in Basilica of St Denis, Paris, Île-de-France, France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Appointments / Titles: Countess of Laon
• Appointments / Titles: Princess of Hungary
• Appointments / Titles: Queen of the Franks
• FSID: 9CMD-SGM
• Residence: Laon, Aisne, Picardie, France

Notes:

From Wikipedia

Bertrada of Laon (born between 710 and 727 – 12 July 783), also known as Bertrada the Younger or Bertha Broadfoot (cf. Latin: Regina pede aucae i.e. the queen with the goose-foot), was a Frankish queen. She was the wife of Pepin the Short and the mother of Charlemagne, Carloman and Gisela.

Nickname
Bertrada's nickname "Bertha Broadfoot" dates back to the 13th century, when it was used in Adenes Le Roi's trouvère Li rouman de Berte aus grands piés.[1] The exact reason that Bertrada was given this nickname is unclear. It is possible that Bertrada was born with a clubfoot,[2] although Adenes does not mention this in his poem.[1] The nickname might have been a reference to an ancient legend about a Germanic goddess named Perchta, to real and mythological queens named Bertha, or to several similarly-named Christian queens.[3] Many myths and legends exist in Europe and Asia, in which clubfooted people are described as the link between the world of the living and the spirit world.[4] The tavern sign in Anatole France's novel At the Sign of the Reine Pédauque alludes to this queen.

Biography
Early life and ancestry
Bertrada was born sometime between 710 and 727 in Laon, in today's Aisne, France, to Count Charibert of Laon.[5] Charibert's father might have been related to Hugobertides.[6][7] Charibert's mother was Bertrada of Prüm, who founded Prüm Abbey along with Charibert.

Marriage and children
Bertrada married Pepin the Short, the son of Charles Martel, the Frankish "Mayor of the Palace", in 741. However, Pepin and Bertrada were too closely related for their marriage to be legal at that time; the union was not canonically sanctioned until 749, after the birth of Charlemagne.[8]

According to French historian Léon Levillain, Bertrada was Pepin's first and only wife.[9][10][11] Other sources suggest that Pepin had previously married a "Leutberga" or "Leutbergie", with whom Pepin would have had five children.[12]

Bertrada and Pepin are known to have had seven children: three sons and four daughters. Of these, Charlemagne (c. 742 – 814),[13] Carloman (751–771)[14] and Gisela (757–811) survived to adulthood. Pepin, born in 756, died in his infancy in 762. Bertrada and Pepin also had Berthe, Adelaide, and Rothaide. Gisela became a nun at Chelles Abbey.[15]

Queen of the Franks

A statue of Bertrada of Laon by Eugène Oudiné, one of the twenty Reines de France et Femmes illustres in the Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris.
In 751, Pepin and Bertrada became King and Queen of the Franks, following Pepin's successful coup against the Frankish Merovingian monarchs.[16] Pepin was crowned in June 754, and Bertrada, Charlemagne, and Carloman were blessed by Pope Stephen II.[17][18]

After Pepin's death in 768, Bertrada lost her title as Queen of the Franks. Charlemagne and Carloman inherited the two halves of Pepin's kingdom. Bertrada stayed at the court and often tried to stop arguments between the two brothers.[14] Some historians credit Bertrada's support for her elder son Charlemagne over her younger son Carloman, and her diplomatic skills, for Charlemagne's early success.[19] Although her influence over Charlemagne may have diminished in time, she lived at his court, and, according to Einhard, their relationship was excellent. Bertrada recommended that Charlemagne set aside his legal wife, Himiltrude, and marry Desiderata, a daughter of the Lombard king Desiderius, but Charlemagne soon divorced Desiderata. Einhard claims this was the only episode that ever strained relations between mother and son.[14]

Later life and death
Bertrada retired from the court after Carloman's death in 771 to live in Choisy-au-Bac, where Charlemagne had set aside a royal house for her. Choisy-au-Bac was favorable because of its history of being the home and burial place of several Merovingian kings.[14]

Bertrada died on 12 July 783 in Choisy-au-Bac.[14] Charlemagne buried her in the Basilica of St Denis near Pepin.[20]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Appointments / Titles: Count of Anglachgau
• Appointments / Titles: Count of Kraichgau
• Appointments / Titles: Count of Vintzau
• Appointments / Titles: Graf im Kraichgau und Anglachgau
• Appointments / Titles: Margrave of the Avarian March
• Appointments / Titles: Prefect of Bavaria
• FSID: LDSS-MPJ

Notes:

his children-
Gerold der Jüngere
(Gerold II.), Begründer der Geroldonen,
Markgraf der Awarenmark und Präfekt von Bayern

Udalrich I.
(Ulrich, Adalrich, Odalrich), Begründer der Udalrichinger und Graf im Albgau[5]

Hildegard
∞ Karl der Große

Roadbert,
Graf in den Bodenseegrafschaften

Willigard ∞ Graf Egilolf von Bensheim († 4. April 783)

Uto (Voto)[6]

Megingoz[7]

Hadrian (Adrianus) 793 bezeugt, † vor 821
Erbio

Gerold of Vinzgau (also Vintzgouw or Anglachgau) was a count in Kraichgau and Anglachgau. Born about 725, he married Emma of Alamannia, the daughter of Hnabi, Duke of Alamannia, before 754. Together they had 5 children:
- Eric of Friuli, the Duke of Friuli
- Gerold, Margrave of the Avarian March and Prefect of Bavaria
- Udalrich, founded the Udalriching dynasty (counts of Bregenz)
- Hildegard, born in 754, married King Charlemagne in 771
- Adrian, Count of Orléans, father of Odo I, Count of Orléans

In 784 Gerold and Emma are recorded as making generous donations to the monastery of Lorsch.
Gerold died in 799.

Gérold married of Alemannia, Imma. Imma (daughter of of Alemannia, Hnabi and of Sachsen, Herswinde) was born in 736 in Kingdom of the Franks; died on 23 Apr 783 in Kraichgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; was buried after 23 Apr 783 in Lorsch Abbey, Lörsch, Bergstrasse, Hessen, Germany. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Appointments / Titles: Countess of Kraichgau
• FSID: LDVY-CZT

Notes:

Emma of Alamannia (also Imma) was the daughter of Hnabi, Duke of Alamannia and Hereswintha vom Bodensee (of Lake Constance)
Emma was born sometime before 741 and by 754 had married Gerold of Vinzgau, a count in Kraichgau and Anglachgau. Together they had 5 children:
- Eric of Friuli, the Duke of Friuli
- Gerold, Margrave of the Avarian March and Prefect of Bavaria
- Udalrich, founded the Udalriching dynasty (counts of Bregenz)
- Hildegard, born in 754, married King Charlemagne in 771
- Adrian, Count of Orléans, father of Odo I, Count of Orléans

In 784 Gerold and Emma are recorded as making generous donations to the monastery of Lorsch.
Emma died between 785 and 798 and was survived by her husband Gerold who died in 799.