Charles II was an early cause of friction in medieval Europe: born to Carolingian Emperor Louis I and a second wife, Judith, provisions for Charles’ inheritance caused his elder brothers to revolt. Peace was, eventually, concluded and Charles was given land, including Aquitaine, but civil strife renewed on Louis’ death until Charles and Louis the German forced Lothar into accepting the Treaty of Verdun: the empire was split into three, and Charles received the western portion; Lothar remained emperor.


His immediate rivals might have been satisfied, but he still had to take charge of his magnates, and had mixed fortunes in war and diplomacy; he did manage to take Aquitaine and some of Lorraine. Finally, with Lothar having died and his son Emperor Louis II also deceased, Charles was crowned Carolingian Emperor in 875, and when Louis the German died Charles attacked his lands, but was repelled by Louis III. Facing invasion and revolt, Charles died in 877.

Rulers of France.