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4 days ago
4 days ago
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Forty-three explains that the three brothers agreed to divide the empire between them. However, they discovered that they did not know the full value of the various regions within the empire, so they postponed negotiations for nearly a year while their representatives surveyed the empire. When the survey was completed, the brothers met at Verdun and divided the empire into three kingdoms. Charles received Aquitaine, Barcelona, Burgundy and Neustria, which became West Frankia. Louis received Bavaria, and everything east of the Rhine, including Saxony, which became East Frankia. Lothar received Italy, Provence and Austrasia, which became Middle Frankia.
Cast of Characters:
Lothar-emperor of the Frankish empire, eldest son of emperor Louis
Pippin-king of Aquitaine (817-838), Louis' second-eldest son
Louis-king of Bavaria, Louis' third eldest son
Judith-Emperor Louis' second wife
Charles-Louis' son with Judith
Pippin II-son of king Pippin of Aquitaine
Bernard-count of Barcelona (826-832), son of William of Toulouse
Adalbert-duke of Austrasia, formerly count of Metz
Horik-king of Denmark (828-850)
Sources:
Charlemagne-Johannes Fried, Translated by Peter Lewis
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987-Rosamond McKitterick
Oathbreakers: The War of Brothers That Shattered an Empire and Made Medieval Europe-Matthew Gabriele and David M. Perry
Struggle for Empire: Kingship and Conflict Under Louis the German, 817-876-Eric J. Goldberg
Charles the Bald-Janet L. Nelson
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
The Birth of the West: Rome, Germany, France, and the Creation of Europe in the Tenth Century-Paul Collins
France in the Making 843-1180-Jean Dubabin
Before the Normans: Southern Italy in the Ninth and Tenth Centuries-Barbara M. Kreutz
A History of Venice-John Julius Norwich
Venice: A New History-Thomas F. Madden
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
The Popes: A History-John Julius Norwich
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
The Early Medieval Balkans-John V. A. Fine, Jr.
Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain-Brian A. Catlos
God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Thursday Jan 22, 2026
Thursday Jan 22, 2026
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Forty-two explains that Charles and Louis made an alliance against Lothar, but appeared unable to link up. Until Louis lured Lothar's main supporter in the east into a trap, and then joined up with Charles. Still, Lothar was supported by his nephew Pippin, so the two sides appeared evenly matched when they faced each other at Fontenoy. The first large-scale battle between Franks in a century, Fontenoy was a blood bath, and none of the nobles in the empire had any desire to repeat the experience. Most important, Charles and Louis remained united, so Lothar accepted that he would have to negotiate with his brothers.
Cast of Characters:
Lothar-emperor of the Frankish empire, eldest son of emperor Louis
Pippin-king of Aquitaine (817-838), Louis' second-eldest son
Louis-king of Bavaria, Louis' third eldest son
Judith-Emperor Louis' second wife
Charles-Louis' son with Judith
Pippin II-son of king Pippin of Aquitaine
Bernard-count of Barcelona (826-832), son of William of Toulouse
Adalbert-duke of Austrasia, formerly count of Metz
Theophilos-emperor of the eastern Roman empire (829-842)
Abd al-Rahman II-emir of Cordoba (822-852)
Harald-Danish ruler of Walcheren, nephew of Harald Klak
Eoeik-Danish ruler of Dorestad, nephew of Harald Klak
Sources:
Charlemagne-Johannes Fried, Translated by Peter Lewis
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987-Rosamond McKitterick
Oathbreakers: The War of Brothers That Shattered an Empire and Made Medieval Europe-Matthew Gabriele and David M. Perry
Struggle for Empire: Kingship and Conflict Under Louis the German, 817-876-Eric J. Goldberg
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Before the Normans: Southern Italy in the Ninth and Tenth Centuries-Barbara M. Kreutz
A History of Venice-John Julius Norwich
Venice: A New History-Thomas F. Madden
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
The Popes: A History-John Julius Norwich
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
The Early Medieval Balkans-John V. A. Fine, Jr.
Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain-Brian A. Catlos
God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Jan 14, 2026
Wednesday Jan 14, 2026
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Forty-one explains that the emperor's favoritism towards Charles and Lothar drove Louis to revolt. Then, Pippin died. Technically, his lands should have gone to his son, also named Pippin, but the emperor decided to give Aquitaine to his son Charles. So, Pippin revolted against his grandfather, and Louis revolted again. Then, the elderly emperor died on his way to deal with Louis. Lothar became emperor but decided that he did not want to divide the empire with his surviving brothers. Naturally, they insisted, which meant that there would be more conflict. As ever, the key problem remained. Lothar wanted to be emperor, and his brothers did not want to bend the knee.
Cast of Characters:
Louis-emperor of the Frankish empire (814-840), formerly king of Aquitaine, third-eldest legitimate son of Charles the Great
Lothar-co-emperor, Louis' eldest son
Pippin-king of Aquitaine (817-838), Louis' second-eldest son
Louis-king of Bavaria, Louis' third eldest son
Judith-Emperor Louis' second wife
Charles-Louis' son with Judith
Pippin II-son of king Pippin of Aquitaine
Wala-count, Adalard's brother, cousin of Charles the Great
Adalard-abbot of Corbie, brother of Wala, cousin of Charles the Great
Drogo-bishop of Metz, illegitimate son of Charles the Great
Bernard-count of Barcelona (826-832), son of William of Toulouse
Hugh-count of Tours, Lothar's father-in-law
Matfrid-count of Orleans
Horik I-king of Denmark (828-850), co-ruler of Denmark (813-828), son of Duke Godfred
Sources:
Charlemagne-Johannes Fried, Translated by Peter Lewis
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987-Rosamond McKitterick
Oathbreakers: The War of Brothers That Shattered an Empire and Made Medieval Europe-Matthew Gabriele and David M. Perry
Struggle for Empire: Kingship and Conflict Under Louis the German, 817-876-Eric J. Goldberg
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Before the Normans: Southern Italy in the Ninth and Tenth Centuries-Barbara M. Kreutz
A History of Venice-John Julius Norwich
Venice: A New History-Thomas F. Madden
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
The Popes: A History-John Julius Norwich
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
The Early Medieval Balkans-John V. A. Fine, Jr.
Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain-Brian A. Catlos
God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Thursday Jan 08, 2026
Thursday Jan 08, 2026
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Forty explains that Louis and Pippin forced Lothar to release their father from the monastery. Lothar could not face his father and his two brothers, so he retreated to Italy. Since the emperor was too busy with family squabbles to defend the empire's borders, Vikings raided the trade centre of Dorestad. Since the emperor had not forgiven Pippin for imprisoning him during the first revolt, Louis appeared to have become the dominant son. However, the emperor did not react well when Louis asked his father for greater independence. Worse, the emperor gave fourteen-year-old Charles full authority over his lands.
Cast of Characters:
Louis-emperor of the Frankish empire (814-840), formerly king of Aquitaine, third-eldest legitimate son of Charles the Great
Lothar-co-emperor, Louis' eldest son
Pippin-king of Aquitaine, Louis' second-eldest son
Louis-king of Bavaria, Louis' third eldest son
Judith-Emperor Louis' second wife
Charles-Louis' son with Judith
Pippin II-son of king Pippin of Aquitaine
Wala-count, Adalard's brother, cousin of Charles the Great
Adalard-abbot of Corbie, brother of Wala, cousin of Charles the Great
Bernard-count of Barcelona (826-832), son of William of Toulouse
Gaucelm-count of Roussilon, son of William of Toulouse
Bera-count of Barcelona (801-820)
Hugh-count of Tours, Lothar's father-in-law
Matfrid-count of Orleans
Harald Klak-co-king of Denmark (812-813)
Horik I-king of Denmark (828-850), co-ruler of Denmark (813-828), son of Duke Godfred
Sources:
Charlemagne-Johannes Fried, Translated by Peter Lewis
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987-Rosamond McKitterick
Oathbreakers: The War of Brothers That Shattered an Empire and Made Medieval Europe-Matthew Gabriele and David M. Perry
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Before the Normans: Southern Italy in the Ninth and Tenth Centuries-Barbara M. Kreutz
A History of Venice-John Julius Norwich
Venice: A New History-Thomas F. Madden
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
The Popes: A History-John Julius Norwich
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
The Republic of St. Peter: The Birth of the Papal State, 680-825-Thomas F. X. Noble
The Early Medieval Balkans-John V. A. Fine, Jr.
Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain-Brian A. Catlos
God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Dec 31, 2025
Wednesday Dec 31, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode thirty-nine explains that emperor Louis took away the lands of Lothar's supporters, which provoked a revolt and the emperor was imprisoned. When Lothar refused to share the empire with his brothers, the emperor offered Pippin and Louis more lands, and Lothar was exiled to Italy. Then, the emperor changed his mind and forgave Lothar. Unsurprisingly, Pippin and Louis revolted. Hoping to resolve the situation, the emperor held an assembly with his sons, but this time the brothers remained united, so emperor Louis found himself in a monastery. Once again, Lothar wanted to replace his father as emperor, and once again Pippin and Louis did not want to bend the knee to Lothar.
Cast of Characters:
Louis-emperor of the Frankish empire (814-840), formerly king of Aquitaine, third-eldest legitimate son of Charles the Great
Lothar-co-emperor, Louis' eldest son
Pippin-king of Aquitaine, Louis' second-eldest son
Louis-king of Bavaria, Louis' third eldest son
Judith-Emperor Louis' second wife
Charles-Louis' son with Judith
Wala-count, Adalard's brother, cousin of Charles the Great
Adalard-abbot of Corbie, brother of Wala, cousin of Charles the Great
Bernard-count of Barcelona (826-832), son of William of Toulouse
Gaucelm-count of Roussilon, son of William of Toulouse
Bera-count of Barcelona (801-820)
Hugh-count of Tours, Lothar's father-in-law
Matfrid-count of Orleans
Al-Hakam I-emir of Cordoba (796-822)
Abd al-Rahman II-emir of Cordoba (822-852)
Sources:
Charlemagne-Johannes Fried, Translated by Peter Lewis
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987-Rosamond McKitterick
Oathbreakers: The War of Brothers That Shattered an Empire and Made Medieval Europe-Matthew Gabriele and David M. Perry
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Before the Normans: Southern Italy in the Ninth and Tenth Centuries-Barbara M. Kreutz
A History of Venice-John Julius Norwich
Venice: A New History-Thomas F. Madden
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
The Popes: A History-John Julius Norwich
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
The Republic of St. Peter: The Birth of the Papal State, 680-825-Thomas F. X. Noble
The Early Medieval Balkans-John V. A. Fine, Jr.
Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain-Brian A. Catlos
God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Dec 24, 2025
Wednesday Dec 24, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode thirty-eight explains that emperor Louis admitted guilt for the death of his nephew and ended the exile of several of his relatives in order to improve relations with the nobles. However, he also remarried, and his new wife gave birth to a son, complicating the succession. Expansion of the empire appeared to have stopped, so Louis gave a county in Frisia to a Danish exile in exchange for stopping Viking raids. In the east, the empire was busy with a civil war, and the Bulgars limited themselves to raids on Bavaria. While the empire's borders were relatively stable, Louis' sons were clearly becoming restless, especially Lothar, the eldest.
Cast of Characters:
Louis-emperor of the Frankish empire (814-840), formerly king of Aquitaine, third-eldest legitimate son of Charles the Great
Lothar-co-emperor, Louis' eldest son
Pippin-king of Aquitaine, Louis' second-eldest son
Louis-king of Bavaria, Louis' third eldest son
Bernard-king of Italy, grandson of Charles
Judith-Emperor Louis' second wife
Charles-Louis' son with Judith
Leo V-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (813-820)
Michael II-emperor of the Easter Roman empire (820-829)
Omurtag-khan of Bulgaria (814-831)
Harald Klak-co-king of Denmark (812-813)
Wala-count, Adalard's brother, cousin of Charles the Great
Adalard-abbot of Corbie, brother of Wala, cousin of Charles the Great
Sources:
Charlemagne-Johannes Fried, Translated by Peter Lewis
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987-Rosamond McKitterick
Oathbreakers: The War of Brothers That Shattered an Empire and Made Medieval Europe-Matthew Gabriele and David M. Perry
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Before the Normans: Southern Italy in the Ninth and Tenth Centuries-Barbara M. Kreutz
A History of Venice-John Julius Norwich
Venice: A New History-Thomas F. Madden
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
The Popes: A History-John Julius Norwich
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
The Republic of St. Peter: The Birth of the Papal State, 680-825-Thomas F. X. Noble
The Early Medieval Balkans-John V. A. Fine, Jr.
Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain-Brian A. Catlos
God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode thirty-seven explains that Louis smoothly succeeded his father as ruler of the Frankish empire. After the pope traveled north to crown Louis emperor, Louis held an assembly to settle the succession. Lothar, the eldest son, became co-emperor, while his other sons Pippin and Louis received Aquitaine and Bavaria respectively. However, Bernard, Louis' nephew and king of Italy, was not mentioned. Naturally, Bernard traveled north to talk to his uncle, but was declared a rebel and blinded, while his followers were executed. Even Louis' half-brothers were placed in remote monasteries. The empire did not face a genuine external threat, but Louis had failed to expand the empire's borders because the powerful nobles who actually ran the large empire were unenthusiastic.
Cast of Characters:
Charles-emperor, formerly king of the Franks and the Lombards
Louis-emperor, formerly king of Aquitaine, Charles' third-eldest legitimate son
Lothar-co-emperor, eldest son of Louis
Pippin-king of Aquitaine, second-eldest son of Louis
Louis-king of Bavaria, youngest son of Louis
Bernard-king of Italy, son of Pippin, grandson of Charles
Wala-count, son of Bernard, illegitimate son of Charles Martel
Adalhard-abbot, son of Bernard, illegitimate son of Charles Martel
Al-Hakam I-emir of Cordoba (796-822)
Leo V-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (813-820)
Omurtag-khan of Bulgaria (814-831)
Godfred-king of Denmark (804-810)
Hemming-king of Denmark (810-812), nephew of Godfred
Harald Klak-co-king of Denmark (812-813), brother of Reginfred
Reginfred-co-king of Denmark (812-813), brother of Harald Klak
Sources:
Charlemagne-Derek Wilson
Charlemagne: Father of a Continent-Alessandro Barbero, translated by Allan Cameron
Charlemagne-Johannes Fried, Translated by Peter Lewis
Becoming Charlemagne: Europe, Baghdad, and the Empires of A.D. 800-Jeff Sypeck
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
King and Emperor: A New Life of Charlemagne-Janet L. Nelson
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987-Rosamond McKitterick
Oathbreakers: The War of Brothers That Shattered an Empire and Made Medieval Europe-Matthew Gabriele and David M. Perry
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Before the Normans: Southern Italy in the Ninth and Tenth Centuries-Barbara M. Kreutz
A History of Venice-John Julius Norwich
Venice: A New History-Thomas F. Madden
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
The Popes: A History-John Julius Norwich
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
The Republic of St. Peter: The Birth of the Papal State, 680-825-Thomas F. X. Noble
The Early Medieval Balkans-John V. A. Fine, Jr.
Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain-Brian A. Catlos
God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode thirty-six explains that tensions were rising as the two epires' borders grew closer to each other. Then, two of Charles' three sons died within the space of a year, so Charles agreed to the Peace of Aachen, abandoning the Frankish claim to Venice. Since the eastern empire had just suffered a massive defeat a year earlier, it was eager to sign a peace treaty in order to concentrate on the Bulgars, even though it had to accept that Charles was an emperor. Meanwhile, the expanding Frankish empire had reached the Danes, but Charles was too tired to launch a serious invasion. Anyway, Charles died two years after signing the Peace of Aachen, leaving Louis as the unchallenged ruler of the Frankish empire.
Cast of Characters:
Charles-king of the Franks and the Lombards
Pepin the Hunchback-Charles' eldest son, illegitimate
Charles the Younger-Charles' eldest legitimate son
Pippin-king of Italy, Charles' second-eldest legitimate son, formerly Carloman
Louis-king of Aquitaine, Charles' third-eldest legitimate son
Bernard-king of Italy, son of Pippin, grandson of Charles
Oblerio-doge of Venice
Nikephoros I-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (802-811), formerly finance minister
Michael I-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (811-813), Nikephoros' son-in-law
Leo V-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (813-820)
Krum-khan of Bulgaria (803-814)
Omurtag-khan of Bulgaria (814-831)
Godfred-king of Denmark (804-810)
Hemming-king of Denmark (810-812), nephew of Godfred
Harald Klak-co-king of Denmark (812-813), brother of Reginfred
Reginfred-co-king of Denmark (812-813), brother of Harald Klak
Sources:
Charlemagne-Derek Wilson
Charlemagne: Father of a Continent-Alessandro Barbero, translated by Allan Cameron
Charlemagne-Johannes Fried, Translated by Peter Lewis
Becoming Charlemagne: Europe, Baghdad, and the Empires of A.D. 800-Jeff Sypeck
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
King and Emperor: A New Life of Charlemagne-Janet L. Nelson
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987-Rosamond McKitterick
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Before the Normans: Southern Italy in the Ninth and Tenth Centuries-Barbara M. Kreutz
A History of Venice-John Julius Norwich
Venice: A New History-Thomas F. Madden
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
The Popes: A History-John Julius Norwich
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
The Republic of St. Peter: The Birth of the Papal State, 680-825-Thomas F. X. Noble
The Early Medieval Balkans-John V. A. Fine, Jr.
Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain-Brian A. Catlos
God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Dec 03, 2025
Wednesday Dec 03, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Thirty-five explains that Charles decided that the empire would be divided among his three sons Charles the Younger, Pippin and Louis, although most of the empire would go to Charles because he was the eldest. Sadly, the lack of a clear successor led to a coup against Irene, who was replaced by Nikephoros, a former bureaucrat. Faced with threat of the Bulgars, Nikephoros led an army against them, but marched into a trap, and was killed along with most of the imperial army. While the Franks were expanding east, they also had to deal with Benevento, since duke Grimoald had promoted himself to prince.
Cast of Characters:
Charles-king of the Franks and the Lombards
Pepin the Hunchback-Charles' eldest son, illegitimate
Charles the Younger-Charles' eldest legitimate son
Pippin-king of Italy, Charles' second-eldest legitimate son, formerly Carloman
Louis-king of Aquitaine, Charles' third-eldest legitimate son
Al-Hakam I-emir of Cordoba (796-822)
Grimoald III-prince of Benevento (788-806)
Irene-empress of the Eastern Roman Empire (797-802), co-empress (792-797), regent (780-790) and empress consort (775-780)
Constantine VI-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (780-797), son of Irene
Nikephoros I-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (802-811), formerly finance minister
Staurakios-co-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (811), son of Nikephoros
Michael I-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (811-813), Nikephoros' son-in-law
Krum-khan of Bulgaria (803-814)
Harun al-Rashid-caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate (786-809)
Sources:
Charlemagne-Derek Wilson
Charlemagne: Father of a Continent-Alessandro Barbero, translated by Allan Cameron
Charlemagne-Johannes Fried, Translated by Peter Lewis
Becoming Charlemagne: Europe, Baghdad, and the Empires of A.D. 800-Jeff Sypeck
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
King and Emperor: A New Life of Charlemagne-Janet L. Nelson
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987-Rosamond McKitterick
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Before the Normans: Southern Italy in the Ninth and Tenth Centuries-Barbara M. Kreutz
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
The Popes: A History-John Julius Norwich
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
The Republic of St. Peter: The Birth of the Papal State, 680-825-Thomas F. X. Noble
The Early Medieval Balkans-John V. A. Fine, Jr.
Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain-Brian A. Catlos
God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Nov 26, 2025
Wednesday Nov 26, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Thirty-four explains that Charles' son, Louis, took advantage of domestic instability in the emirate of Cordoba to expand south of the Pyrenees. Charles then had to deal with a coup in Rome when the relatives of the previous pope attempted to capture Leo, the current pope. The two men clearly came to an agreement since Leo crowned Charles emperor. Honestly, the elevation in status should not have been a surprise since Charles had advanced beyond the status of a mere king by this time. Moreover, the eastern empire was ruled by empress Irene, who had seized power from her weak son.
Cast of Characters:
Charles-king of the Franks and the Lombards
Pepin the Hunchback-Charles' eldest son, illegitimate
Charles the Younger-Charles' eldest legitimate son
Pippin-king of Italy, Charles' second-eldest legitimate son, formerly Carloman
Louis-king of Aquitaine, Charles' third-eldest legitimate son
Leo III-Pope (795-816)
Hadrian I-Pope (772-795)
Al-Hakam I-emir of Cordoba (796-822), son of Hisham
Hisham I-emir of Cordoba (788-796), second-eldest son of Abd al-Rahman I, founder of the Umayyd Emirate
Sulaymin-eldest son of Abd al-Rahman I, founder of the Umayyd Emirate
Abd Allah-third-eldest son of Abd al-Rahman I, founder of the Umayyd Emirate
Alfonso II-king of Asturias (791-842)
Irene-empress of the Eastern Roman Empire (797-802), co-empress (792-797), regent (780-790) and empress consort (775-780)
Constantine VI-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (780-797), son of Irene
Sources:
Charlemagne-Derek Wilson
Charlemagne: Father of a Continent-Alessandro Barbero, translated by Allan Cameron
Charlemagne-Johannes Fried, Translated by Peter Lewis
Becoming Charlemagne: Europe, Baghdad, and the Empires of A.D. 800-Jeff Sypeck
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987-Rosamond McKitterick
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Before the Normans: Southern Italy in the Ninth and Tenth Centuries-Barbara M. Kreutz
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
The Popes: A History-John Julius Norwich
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
The Republic of St. Peter: The Birth of the Papal State, 680-825-Thomas F. X. Noble
Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain-Brian A. Catlos
God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625