Louis the Pious

Louis the Pious, also called the Fair and the Debonaire, was King of the Franks and co-emperor with his father, Charlemagne. Born on 16 April 778, he became King of Aquitaine in 781 and helped protect the southwestern part of the empire. He conquered Barcelona from the Emirate of Córdoba in 801 and strengthened Frankish control over areas like Pamplona and the Basques.

After Charlemagne died in 814, Louis became the sole ruler of the Franks. He tried to include his adult sons, Lothair, Pepin, and Louis, in governing the empire, planning to divide it among them. However, his reign faced many challenges, including family conflicts and difficulties with his succession plans. Despite these struggles, he worked to keep order in his empire until his death on 20 June 840.

Birth and rule in Aquitaine

Louis was born in 778 while his father Charlemagne was on a military campaign through the Pyrenees. He was the third son of Charlemagne and his wife Hildegard. As a young child, Louis was crowned King of Aquitaine in 781. His father sent him there to help govern the area and protect the borders after some difficult battles.

Charlemagne wanted Louis to grow up understanding the customs and people of his kingdom. Later, Louis took part in military campaigns, including efforts to control the city of Barcelona. Even though Louis was a king, he still followed his father's rules and learned about ruling together with his brothers. After his brothers passed away, Louis became the sole ruler of the large Carolingian Empire when his father died in 814.

Reign

While at his palace of Doué, Anjou, Louis received news of his father's death. He rushed to Aachen and crowned himself emperor.

Upon arriving at the imperial court in Aachen, Louis made changes to remove what he saw as undesirable influences. He destroyed old pagan items collected by his father, Charlemagne, and exiled some family members he considered morally questionable.

He sent his unmarried sisters and nieces to nunneries to prevent powerful family ties. He made Bernard, margrave of Septimania, and Ebbo, Archbishop of Reims his main advisors, though Ebbo later betrayed him. He kept some of his father's ministers, such as Elisachar, abbot of St. Maximin near Trier, and Hildebold, Archbishop of Cologne. Later he replaced Elisachar with Hildwin, abbot of many monasteries.

He employed Benedict of Aniane, making him abbot of the new Inden Monastery at Aix-la-Chapelle and tasked him with reforming the Frankish church. Benedict ensured all religious houses followed the Rule of Saint Benedict. In 816, Pope Stephen IV crowned Louis again, establishing a tradition for French kings to be crowned in Reims.

In 817, Louis created a plan for his succession, dividing the empire among his three sons. Lothair was to be the main heir, Pepin became King of Aquitaine, and the youngest son Louis became King of Bavaria. This plan aimed to keep the empire united under Lothair while giving roles to his brothers.

However, the plan caused conflicts, especially when Louis later tried to include his fourth son, Charles. This led to several civil wars among his sons, weakening the empire. Despite these challenges, Louis worked to maintain order and defend his borders against outside threats.

Death

Louis fell ill after his last successful battles and went to his summer hunting lodge on an island in the Rhine near his palace at Ingelheim. He died on 20 June 840, surrounded by bishops and clerics. He was with his half-brother Drogo when he forgave his son Louis, named Lothair emperor, and asked for protection for Charles and Judith.

After his death, his surviving brothers began fighting. This civil war lasted until 843 when they signed the Treaty of Verdun. The empire was divided into three parts. West Francia and East Francia later became France and Germany. Middle Francia, which included Burgundy, the Low Countries, and northern Italy, did not last long and was reorganized as Lotharingia by 855. The argument over who would rule Aquitaine continued until 860.

Louis was buried in the Abbey of Saint-Arnould in Metz.

Marriage and issue

Louis the Pious had many children with his wives and others. With his first wife, Ermengarde of Hesbaye, he had three sons and three daughters. These included Lothair, who became king of Middle Francia, and Louis the German, who became king of East Francia.

With his second wife, Judith of Bavaria, he had another son and daughter. His son Charles the Bald later became king of West Francia. Louis also had two children who were not born to his wives: Arnulf of Sens and Alpaïs of Paris.