European Kingdoms

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

Created out of Charlemagne's Frankish Empire, under Lothar the kings ruled all of Central and Northern Italy (the former Exarchate of Ravenna and Lombard kingdom territories), and the Rhine corridor up to modern Holland. This also seems to have included Switzerland. This set of Franks 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 - 818

Bernard

Son. King of Italy. No heir.

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 and Italy); Charles the Bald receives Western Francia (France); 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, Lotharingia, & Empire.

855

Upon Lothar's death, Francia Media is divided between his three sons. Louis II receives Italy and the Imperial crown, Charles receives Burgundy, 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 (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

King of Lotharingia.

855 - 863

Charles

King of Burgundy.

875 - 877

Charles II of the Western Franks 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 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.