Louis the Stammerer

Louis the Stammerer, born on November first, eight hundred forty-six, was a monarch who ruled as the king of Aquitaine and later as the king of West Francia. He was the firstborn son of Emperor Charles the Bald and Ermentrude of Orléans. Despite his royal lineage, Louis was known for his physical frailty, which ultimately led to his early demise, outliving his father by just a year and a half.

In the year eight hundred sixty-six, Louis ascended to the throne of Aquitaine, succeeding his younger brother, Charles the Child. Eleven years later, in eight hundred seventy-seven, he took over the rule of West Francia, which included Lower Burgundy and Provence, although he did not gain control over Italy and thus never became emperor. His coronation as king of West Francia took place on October eighth, eight hundred seventy-seven, officiated by Hincmar, the archbishop of Reims, at Compiegne. A second coronation followed in August of eight hundred seventy-eight, conducted by Pope John VIII at Troyes during a council.

Louis the Stammerer was characterized as a gentle and peace-loving ruler, described as “a simple and sweet man, a lover of peace, justice, and religion.” His reign, however, had a limited impact on the political landscape of his time. In eight hundred seventy-eight, he made a significant decision to grant the counties of Barcelona, Girona, and Besalú to Wilfred the Hairy, showcasing his inclination towards diplomacy.

His final act as king was a military campaign against the invading Vikings. Unfortunately, he fell ill during this endeavor and passed away on April tenth, eight hundred seventy-nine, at Compiègne, shortly after commencing this last campaign. Following his death, his territories were divided between his two sons, Carloman II and Louis III, while the ambitious duke Boso of Provence sought to establish his own realm in Lower Burgundy.