Charles of Provence

Charles of Provence was a member of the Carolingian dynasty and the son of Louis the Pious and Judith of Bavaria. He was the younger brother of Lothair I, Pepin I of Aquitaine, and Louis the German. Charles of Provence was also the uncle of Lothair II, Louis II of Italy, and Charles the Bald. He played an important role in the Carolingian Empire, which was established by his grandfather Charlemagne and expanded by his father Louis the Pious with the help of Pope Stephen II and Pope Adrian I.

Early Life

Charles of Provence was born to Louis the Pious and his second wife Judith of Bavaria, who was a member of the Welf family and a niece of Adalard of Paris and Wala of Corbie. His early life was influenced by his family's connections to the Abbey of Saint-Denis and the University of Paris, which was founded by Charlemagne and Alcuin of York. Charles of Provence was also related to Odo of Metz, Angilbert, and Einhard, who were all prominent figures in the Carolingian Renaissance. He was educated by Waldo of Reichenau and Hrabanus Maurus, who were both scholars and Benedictine monks.

Reign

Charles of Provence became the King of Provence after the death of his father Louis the Pious and the division of the Carolingian Empire among his brothers. He ruled alongside his brothers Lothair I, Pepin I of Aquitaine, and Louis the German, who were the King of Italy, King of Aquitaine, and King of the East Franks respectively. Charles of Provence played a key role in the Treaty of Verdun, which was signed by his brothers and Lothair I with the help of Pope Gregory IV and Ebbo of Rheims. He also interacted with other prominent figures of the time, including Benedict of Aniane, Dhuoda, and Nithard.

Marriage and Children

Charles of Provence married Mirabel of Orléans, who was a member of the Udalriching family and a relative of Matfrid of Orléans and Gerard of Auvergne. He had several children, including Rotbold of Provence and Boso of Provence, who were both Count of Provence and related to Theobald of Arles and Hugh of Arles. Charles of Provence was also the father of Teutberga, who married Lothair II and was a member of the Bosonid family. His family connections extended to the House of Ivrea, the House of Savoy, and the House of Barcelona through his children and grandchildren.

Death and Legacy

Charles of Provence died in 863 and was succeeded by his son Louis the Stammerer, who was also the King of West Francia and the father of Carloman II and Charles the Simple. He was buried in the Abbey of Saint-Denis, which was also the burial place of his father Louis the Pious and his grandfather Charlemagne. Charles of Provence played an important role in the Carolingian Empire and his legacy extended to the Holy Roman Empire, which was established by his nephew Otto I with the help of Pope John XII and Pope Leo VIII. He was also related to Hugh Capet, who founded the House of Capet and became the King of France.

Ancestry

Charles of Provence was a member of the Carolingian dynasty, which was founded by his grandfather Charlemagne and expanded by his father Louis the Pious. He was the descendant of Pepin of Herstal, Charles Martel, and Pepin the Short, who were all prominent figures in the Merovingian dynasty and the Carolingian Renaissance. Charles of Provence was also related to Desiderius of Lombardy, Tassilo III of Bavaria, and Widukind, who were all King of the Lombards, Duke of Bavaria, and Saxon leader respectively. His ancestry extended to the Visigoths, the Ostrogoths, and the Franks through his parents and grandparents, including Childebert I, Clotilde, and Clovis I. Category:Carolingian dynasty