European Kingdoms

Carolingian Kings of the Eastern Franks (East Francia / Kings of Germany)
AD 840 - 911

The eastern half of the Frankish empire evolved into modern Germany, but Carolingian rule was relatively brief before a High-German-speaking Teutonic ruling class was established. In 840, Louis the Pious left his empire to his sons, but tried to ensure that the eldest gained the biggest share, in order to avoid the fragmentation of territory that so weakened the Merovingians. Lothar received Middle Francia (the Rhine corridor including the kingdom of Burgundy, and Italy), Charles the Bald received Western Francia (France and the duchy of Burgundy), and Louis the German received Eastern Francia (Germany). However, Lothar initially claimed overlordship over all three regions and Louis and Charles had to go to war to convince him to relent, which he did in 843. The Treaty of Verdun confirmed the official division of the empire between the three kings, with rule over the empire as a whole being nominal.

840 - 879

Louis II the German

II of Germany.

869 - 888

The Swiss territories are controlled by the Eastern Franks before passing to Upper Burgundy.

876 - 880

Carloman of Bavaria / Charles

of Germany. Ruled Italy (877-879).

876 - 882

Louis III

III of Germany. Empire (901-905).

876 - 887

Charles III the Fat

III Germany. France 884-888. Italy 879-888. III of Empire 881-888.

888

The rule of Germany falls to non-Frankish emperors when the weak Charles is deposed by the Germans at the Diet of Tribur (November 887). the Frankish empire is officially divided between East and West. The western section becomes France, the eastern section, the Holy Roman Empire (modern Germany). Charles the Fat takes refuge in the monastery of Reichenau in Swabia where he dies the following year.

887 - 899

Arnulf of Carinthia

Holy Roman Emperor (896-899).

899 - 911

Louis IV the Child

IV of Germany.

911

East Francia passes to Conrad I of Franconia, while Germania, or the Holy Roman Empire, eventually emerges to take over the eastern section of the empire.