European Kingdoms

Carolingian Kings of Middle Franks (Francia Media / Italy)
AD 781 - 875

The year 781 saw the final conclusion of the efforts of Frankish emperor, Charlemagne, to fully conquer and subdue the Lombards in Italy. In that same year his son, Pepin, was given command of Italy. Under his descendant, Lothar, the Frankish kingdom of Italy included all of central and northern Italy (the former exarchate of Ravenna and Lombard kingdom territories), and the Rhine corridor up to modern Holland. It also seems to have included Switzerland. The rulers of Frankish Italy were known as the Middle Franks due to their geographical position between the Western and Eastern Franks. Two of their number were heads of the Frankish empire as a whole between 840-875.

781 - 810

Pepin

Son of Charlemagne. King of Italy.

810

A military expedition guided by Pepin to conquer the Venetian lagoons is stopped by the Venetian people themselves.

810 - 818

Bernard

Son. King of Italy. No heir.

814

The surviving son of Charlemagne becomes Frankish emperor, bearing authority over Italy as well as his many other domains. Bernard remains on the throne, but when he dies without an heir, Louis replaces him with Lothar, his own son.

818 - 840

Lothar

Nephew. Son of Louis I. King of Italy. Inherited Francia Media.

840 - 843

Louis I wills the Frankish empire to his sons, but tries to ensure that the eldest gains the biggest share, in order to avoid the fragmentation of territory that so weakened the Merovingians. Lothar receives Middle Francia (the Rhine corridor including the kingdom of Burgundy, and Italy); Charles the Bald receives Western Francia (France and the duchy of Burgundy); Louis the German receives Eastern Francia (Germany). However, Lothar initially claims overlordship over all three regions and Louis and Charles have to go to war to convince him to relent.

840 - 855

Lothar I

I of Italy, Burgundy, & Empire.

855

Upon Lothar's death, Francia Media is divided between his three sons. Louis II receives Italy and the Imperial crown, Charles receives Provence, and Lothar II the remainder - the Rhine corridor from Burgundy up to the North Sea. This area has no traditional name of its own, so it is named after its ruler - Lotharingia (and this later becomes Lorraine).

855 - 875

Louis II

Son. II of Italy (844-875), Burgundy, & Empire.

855 - 875

Louis' title of emperor has little meaning since he rules only in Italy, and even there his reign is constantly challenged by independent Lombard dukes and by the Arab invaders of southern Italy. He supports his brother Lothar II, king of Lotharingia, in a dispute with the Pope, and briefly (864) occupies Rome. He subsequently submits to the Pope. He also unsuccessfully tries to claim Lotharingia after Lothar's death.

855 - 869

Lothar II

Son of Lothar. King of Lotharingia and Burgundy.

855 - 863

Charles

Son of Lothar I. King of Provence.

875 - 877

Charles II of the Western Franks nominally rules Italy and the Frankish empire.

877 - 881

Charles the Fat / Carloman of Bavaria

King of Germany. Gained Imperial title in 881 as Charles III.

881 - 888

Charles III of the Eastern Franks rules nominally Italy and the Frankish empire.

888 - 891

Berengar I of Friuli

King & Germanic Roman Emperor.

891 - 894

Wido (Guy / Guido) of Spoleto

Germanic Roman Emperor.

894 - 896

Lambert of Spoleto

Germanic Roman Emperor.

896 - 899

Arnulf, King of Germany

Germanic Roman Emperor.

899 - 905

Louis III of Lower Burgundy & Provence

King of Burgundy (887-928). Emperor Eastern Franks (901-905).

905 - 922

Berengar I

Restored. Germanic Roman Emperor (915-922).

922 - 926

Rudolf II of Upper Burgundy

King of Burgundy (912 - 937), & Lower Burgundy (933-937).

926 - 947

Hugh of Arles of Lower Burgundy

King of Burgundy (928-933).

947 - 950

Lothair II of Arles

Germanic Roman Emperor.

950 - 961

Berengar II of Ivrea

Germanic Roman Emperor.

961

With the rise to power of the Saxon Otto I, control of Italy falls permanently to the non-Frankish Holy Roman Emperors.