European Kingdoms

County of Franconia (Germany)
c.AD 850? - 888

The first count of Franconia appeared in the early or middle part of the ninth century, one Bogo. This was part of a process which was taking part across East Francia as the slow but inevitable collapse of the Carolingian empire continued. Regional figures of authority emerged as central authority became weaker and divided, before control was taken entirely out of Frankish hands.

Naming conventions (plural) are fascinating, both in Anglo-Saxon England and in Frankish Europe at this time. In the early phases there was still a use of the common warrior tradition, most of which vanished over time except for a few names such as 'Charles' (Karl, Ceorl). These single word (often single syllable) names were replaced by more the frequent use of combination names. Bogo and his next-but-one successor, Udo, really are singles, as the -o is merely a nominative suffix. Eberhard and later names such as Frederick are two word names, and therefore are more cultured, more advanced.

It also appears that the definitions of Latin titles had gradually altered. A count was a comes, which refers to a (warrior) companion (of a higher leader). A duke (dux) was a regional war leader or military commander with a defined base of operations, as distinguished from one who moves around wherever he is needed at the whim of the Roman senate, a consul.

However, by the ninth century the title of comes appears to have been in use by similarly 'fixed' regional leaders, although a hint of the old order is maintained in the fact that, just about always, a comes was eventually promoted to a dux', or a county to a duchy.

The new territory of Franconia was one of several regional counties which were being formed during the break-up of East Francia. The process was not a smooth or entirely controlled one. There were several fits and starts as the various Frankish powerbases jostled for superiority, but the main trigger for the emergence of some areas, including Franconia, may well have been the Treaty of Verdun of AD 843.

(Information by Peter Kessler, with additional information from Historisches Lexikon der deutschen Länder, Gerhard Köbler (Darmstadt 1999), from Bayern und das Deutsche Reich, Josef Kirmeier (in Politische Geschichte Bayerns, Hefte zur Bayerischen Geschichte und Kultur No 9 - see external links), from The History of the Franks, Volume II, Gregory of Tours (O M Dalton, Trans, 1967), from From Roman Provinces to Medieval Kingdoms, Thomas F X Noble, and from External Links: Fränkische Dialekte, Alfred Klepsch (in German - dead link), and Haus der Bayerischen Geschichte (in German - dead link), and the Swabian League of Cities, Alexander Schubert (Historisches Lexikon Bayerns, in German - dead link), and Medieval Lands, and Foundation for Medieval Genealogy, and from Encyclopaedia.com, and The Holy Roman Empire (Heraldica), and The Holy Roman Empire, Christopher Brooks (Portland Community College via LibreTexts Humanities).)

Count in Franconia. Possibly Count Udo in the Lahngau?

821 - 826

Bogo has been impossible to identify in any form, but there is a strong possibility that he is in fact Udo 'the Elder', count in the Lahngau, a powerful figure in western formational Franconia. If so then this also links him to the figure of Odo I, count of Orléans.

This map shows the division of the Carolingian empire according to the Treaty of Verdun in AD 843 (click or tap on map to view full sized)

The Lahngau later forms part of the Hessian state, so he is also included there, but as his successors there are Gebhard (Eberhard I?) and Udo, it is likely that the names which are shown here as his successors are in fact counts of the Lahngau.

Same as Gebhard, count of (Hessian) Nieder-Lahngau?

861 - 879

Son of Gebhard. Count in the (Hessian) Lahngau.

863/864

A charter records that Nanther, dux in 'Orientali Francia' (East Francia), and his wife Kunigund make a donation to Kloster St Saturnin at Münsterdreisen. This lies in the modern Rheinland-Pfaltz region, and seems to be close to the western edge of what is becoming Franconia at this time, but seems more likely to be at the south-eastern edge of Lotharinga.

876

The death of Louis 'the German' results in his territory being divided between his three sons. This is something he had already foreseen, and portions of territory had been appointed to each of them in 865.

A general view of Gudensberg, with the Castle Hill prominent, and Fritzlar in the background from the Sciographia Cosmica, printed between 1637-1678 - all within what would become northern Hesse but which was right now still within western Franconia

Now, in a peaceful succession, Carloman inherits Bavaria and the Ostmark, Louis 'the Younger' gains Franconia (which includes the Hessi territories), Saxony, and Thuringia, while Charles 'the Fat' succeeds to Rhaetia and Alemannia (Swabia). As the oldest son, Carloman also retains de facto dominance over the East Franks as a whole.

This could be the point at which Saxon Hessengau passes to Franconia (which itself could also explain why Henry of Franconia (882-886) is sometimes known as margrave or count of Saxony). It is also the point at which a clear nobility begins to emerge in the future Hesse.

For now the concept of a single state by that name does not exist - instead the region is a patchwork of minor lordships and counties. The most important in terms of their descendants are the Hessians of the Wetterau, the counts of Lahngau.

876? - 882

III of Germany. Ruled part of Lotharingia. Empire (901-905).

881 - 882

Charles 'the Fat' succeeds as titular head of the Frankish empire, holding the position as Emperor Charles III. He is crowned by Pope John VIII. In the following year, 882, Louis 'the Younger' dies and Charles, as the last remaining of the three brothers, inherits his territories of Bavaria, Franconia, Saxony, and Thuringia, thereby reuniting East Francia following its division in 876.

Charles 'the Fat' (not necessarily living up to his descriptive sobriquet) welcomes messengers into his tent as titular head of the Frankish empire, as depicted in the fourteenth century Grandes Chroniques de France

It must be Charles who appoints Henry of Babenberg, his right-hand man, as the acting count of Franconia. He may be the son or grandson of Poppo I, count in the Grapfeld in early north-eastern Franconia before the entirety of Franconia had emerged as a single region in its own right (see above).

Babenberg Castle lies on the banks of the River Main, with a growing settlement around it which eventually forms into the city of Bamberg. The Babenburgs also play an important role in the early formation of Austria, although this branch cannot definitively be linked to the Franconian Babenburgs. As for Henry, he is killed in 886 whilst fighting the Normans.

882 - 887

III of Germany, France, Italy, III of Empire (881-888).

882 - 886

Count in Charles' name Son (?) of Poppo I of Grapfeld. Killed.

888

The rule of Germany falls to non-Frankish emperors when the weak Charles III 'the Fat' is deposed by the Germans at the Diet of Tribur (November 887). the Frankish empire is officially divided between east and west.

Arnulf, duke of Carinthia, overthrew his uncle, Emperor Charles 'the Fat', to become Carolingian king of East Francia from 887, disputed king of Italy from 894, and disputed Germanic emperor from 22 February 896 until his death at Ratisbon in Bavaria in 899

The western section is Western Francia while the eastern section is becoming better known as Germany, with the title of Roman Emperor also being held by Germans. Charles 'the Fat' takes refuge in the monastery of Reichenau in Alemannia (Swabia) where he dies the following year, while Franconia is now elevated to become one of five powerful duchies: the 'Duchy of Franconia'.