The Early Middle Ages | Collapse of the Carolingian Empire (Lecture 18)

Lecture 18: The Carolingian Empire disintegrated during the course of the 9th century. Discredited by its inability to deal with the Viking attacks, the Carolingian dynasty fell prey to civil wars fought among the sons of Louis the Pious, who failed to achieve an acceptable division of his empire among his heirs. As a result, the empire split into various independent kingdoms, most notably West Francia and East Francia. The title of emperor was rendered empty—although still prestigious because of its connections to Roman greatness and Charlemagne, it no longer conferred overlordship of those who bore the inferior title of king. The reign of Charles the Fat, who reunited the empire in the 880s, raised hopes of a Carolingian comeback, but the reign ended pitifully, paving the way for the abandonment of the Carolingians by their subjects.

Suggested Readings:
Janet L. Nelson. Charles the Bald. Longman, 1992.
Rosamond McKitterick. The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians, 751–987. Longman, 1989.

Lecture 19: https://www.bitchute.com/video/hgyzuHCaJa9O/