Nithardus: HISTORIARUM LIBRI QUATTUOR

Cum, ut optime, mi domine, nosti, iam paene annis duobus illatam a fratre vestro persecutionem vos vestrique haudquaquam meriti pateremini, antequam Cadhellonicam introissemus civitatem, praecepistis, ut res vestris temporibus gestas stili officio memoriae traderem. Opportuna quidem placidaque res, fateor, fuerat praecepta, si otium tanti negotii, ut digne exsequeretur, fuisset concessum; nunc autem, si quod minus vel incultius, quam oportuerit pro rerum magnitudine, huic operi inveneritis insertum, tanto facilior venia a vobis vestrisque mihi debetur, quanto me nostis eodem turbine, quo et vos, dum hoc opus peregerim, esse agitatum. Praeterire autem ea quae temporibus pii patris vestri gesta sunt disposueram sed facilius cuilibet legenti altercationum vestrarum veritas patebit, si quaedam, quae suo in tempore contigisse novimus, summotenus praelibavero.

Since, as you know full well, my lord, for almost two years now you and yours, by no means deserving it, have been suffering the persecution inflicted by your brother, before we entered the Cadhellonian city, you instructed, that the things done in your times I should consign to memory by the office of the pen. The command, indeed, was timely and placid, I admit, if leisure for so great an undertaking had been granted, so as to execute it worthily; now, however, if you find in this work anything deficient or more uncultivated than would be fitting to the greatness of the matters, so much the easier is pardon due to me from you and yours, inasmuch as you know that I have been driven by the same whirlwind as you while I have carried this work through. I had, however, resolved to pass over the things that were done in the times of your pious father; but the truth of your altercations will be more evident to any reader, if I shall, in brief, preface by touching upon certain things which we know to have occurred in their proper time.

Avi quoque insuper vestri venerandam memoriam per omnia obmittere ratum minime videtur; ac per hoc textus hinc sumat exordium.

Moreover, to omit in all respects the venerable memory of your grandfather seems by no means ratified; and through this let the text take its beginning from here.

1. Karolus bonae memoriae et merito Magnus imperator ab universis nationibus vocatus, [hora videlicet plus minus diei tertia] in senectute bona decedens omnem Europam omni bonitate repletam reliquit, vir quippe omni sapientia et omni virtute humanum genus suo in tempore adeo praecellens, ut omnibus orbem inhabitantibus terribilis, amabilis pariterque et admirabilis videretur, ac per hoc omne imperium omnibus modis, ut cunctis manifeste claruit, honestum et utile effecit. Nam super omne, quod admirabile fateor fore, Francorum barbarorumque ferocia ac ferrea corda, quae nec Romana potentia domare valuit, hic solus moderato terrore ita repressit, ut nihil in imperio moliri, praeter quod publicae utilitati congruebat, manifeste auderent. Regnavit feliciter per annos duos et XXX imperiique gubernacula nihilominus cum omni felicitate per annos quattuordecim possedit.

1. Charles, of good memory and deservedly the Great (Magnus), an emperor called by all nations, [namely at about the third hour of the day], departing in good old age, left all Europe filled with every goodness, a man indeed surpassing the human race in his time in all wisdom and all virtue, such that to all who inhabit the world he seemed terrible, lovable, and admirable alike; and through this he made the whole empire in every way, as was manifestly clear to all, honorable and useful. For beyond everything—which I confess to be admirable—he alone so repressed by moderated terror the ferocity and iron hearts of the Franks and of the barbarians, which not even Roman power was able to tame, that they clearly dared to undertake nothing in the empire except what was congruent with public utility. He reigned happily for 32 years, and likewise held the helm of the empire with all felicity for 14 years.

2. Heres autem tantae sublimitatis Lodhuwicus, filiorum eius iusto matrimonio susceptorum novissimus, ceteris decedentibus successit. Qui ut pro certo patrem obisse comperit, Aquis ab Aquitania protinus venit; quo undique ad se venientem populum absque quolibet impedimento suae dicioni addixit, de ceteris, qui sibi creduli videbantur, deliberaturus. Initio quidem imperii suscepti pecuniam ingenti numero a patre relictam trifariam dividere iussit et unam partem causa funeris expendit, duas vero inter se et sorores suas a patre iusto matrimonio susceptas divisit, quas et instanter a palatio ad sua monasteria abire praecepit.

2. The heir, however, of so great sublimity, Louis, the youngest of his sons begotten in lawful marriage, with the others passing away, succeeded. When he learned for certain that his father had died, he came straightway from Aquitaine to Aachen; there he subjected to his dominion, without any impediment, the people coming to him from every side, intending to deliberate about the rest who seemed to him well-disposed. At the beginning indeed of the assumed empire he ordered the money left by his father in enormous quantity to be divided threefold, and he expended one part for the sake of the funeral, but the other two he divided between himself and his sisters begotten by his father in lawful wedlock, whom also he urgently commanded to depart from the palace to their monasteries.

Fratres quoque adhuc tenera aetate, Drugonem, Hugonem et Teodericum, participes mensae effecit, quos et in palatio una secum nutriri praecepit, et Bernardo nepoti suo, filio Pippini, regnum Italiae concessit. Qui quoniam ab eo paulo post defecit, capitur et a Bertmundo Lugdunensis provinciae praefecto luminibus et vita pariter privatur. Hinc autem metuens, ne post dicti fratres populo sollicitato eadem facerent, ad conventum publicum eos venire praecepit, totondit ac per monasteria sub libera custodia commendavit.

He also made his brothers, still of tender age—Drogo, Hugh, and Theoderic—participants of his table, and ordered that they be nourished in the palace together with him; and he granted to Bernard, his nephew, the son of Pippin, the kingdom of Italy. But since he defected from him a little afterward, he was captured, and by Bertmund, prefect of the Lugdunensis province, was deprived alike of sight and of life. Then, fearing lest the aforesaid brothers, with the people agitated, might thereafter do the same, he ordered them to come to a public assembly, tonsured them, and commended them to monasteries under free custody.

Quo peracto filios suos iusto matrimonio iunxit et universum imperium inter eos ita divisit, ut Pippinus quidem Aquitaniam, Lodhuwicus autem Baioariam, Lodharius vero post discessum eius universum imperium haberet, cui et una secum imperatoris nomen habere concessit. Interea Irmengardis regina materque illorum decessit, ac paulo post Lodhuwicus imperator Iudith in matrimonium sumpsit, ex qua Karolus creatur.

With this completed, he joined his sons in lawful marriage and divided the whole empire among them in such a way that Pippin indeed Aquitaine, Louis however Bavaria, while Lothar in truth, after his departure, should have the whole empire; and to him he also granted to have the name of emperor together with himself. Meanwhile Queen Irmengard, their mother, departed, and a little later Louis the emperor took Judith in marriage, from whom Charles is begotten.

3. Karolo quidem nato, quoniam omne imperium inter reliquos filios pater diviserat, quid huic faceret, ignorabat. Cumque anxius pater pro filio filios rogaret, tandem Lodharius consensit ac sacramento testatus est, ut portionem regni quam vellet eidem pater daret, tutoremque ac defensorem illius se fore contra omnes inimicos eius in futuro iurando firmavit. Instigante autem Hugone, cuius filiam in matrimonium Lodharius duxerat, ac Mathfrido ceterisque, sero se hoc fecisse paenituit et, quemadmodum illud quod fecerat annullare posset, quaerebat.

3. When Charles was born, since the father had divided the whole empire among the remaining sons, he did not know what he should do for this one. And as the anxious father entreated his sons on behalf of his son, at length Lothar consented and attested by an oath that the father might give to him whatever portion of the kingdom he wished, and he confirmed by an oath to be taken in the future that he would be his guardian and defender against all his enemies. However, with Hugh—whose daughter Lothar had taken in marriage—and Matfrid and the rest urging him on, he repented too late of having done this, and was seeking how he might annul what he had done.

Quod patrem matremque minime latuit; ac per hoc hinc inde quod pater statuerat Lodharius diruere, etsi non manifeste, occulte studebat. Ad quod Bernardum quendam, ducem Septimaniae, pater in supplementum sibi sumens camerarium constituit Karolumque eidem commendavit ac secundum a se in imperio praefecit. Qui dum inconsulte re publica abuteretur, quam solidare debuit penitus evertit.

Which did not at all escape the father and mother; and through this, on both sides, Lothair was striving to tear down what the father had established, if not manifestly, covertly. To meet this, the father, taking to himself Bernard, a certain duke of Septimania, in supplement, appointed him chamberlain and commended Charles to the same and set him as second after himself in the empire. He, while he was injudiciously abusing the commonwealth, which he ought to consolidate, utterly overthrew it.

Per idem tempus Karolo Alamannia per edictum traditur. Tum tandem Lodharius quasi iusta querimonia reperta tam fratres quam et universam plebem veluti ad restaurandum rei publicae statum animabat. Quam ob rem pariter cum omni populo patri ad Compendium superveniunt, reginam velaverunt, fratres eius Cunradum et Rodulfum totonderunt atque in Aquitaniam servandos Pippino commiserunt.

At the same time Alemannia was handed over to Karolus by edict. Then at last Lodharius, as though having found a just complaint, was inciting both his brothers and also the whole populace, as if to restore the state of the republic. For which reason, together with all the people, they came upon their father at Compendium, they veiled the queen, they tonsured her brothers Cunradus and Rodulfus, and entrusted them to Pippinus to be kept in Aquitania.

Bernardus quoque fuga lapsus in Septimaniam se recepit; Eribertus frater eius captus ac luminibus privatus in Italia custodiendus traditur.

Bernard likewise, having escaped by flight, withdrew to Septimania; Heribert, his brother, captured and deprived of his sight, is handed over in Italy to be kept in custody.

Et Lodharius quidem, eo tenore re publica adepta, patrem et Karolum sub libera custodia servabat; cum quo monachos, qui eidem vitam monasticam traderent et eandem vitam illum assumere suaderent, esse praeceperat. Res autem publica, quoniam quisque cupiditate illectus sua quaerebat, cotidie deterius ibat. Quam ob rem tam monachi, quos supra memoravimus, quam et ceteri, qui quod factum fuerat dolebant, illum percontari coeperunt, si res publica eidem restitueretur, an eam pro viribus erigere ac fovere vellet, maximeque cultum divinum, quo omnis ordo tuetur ac regitur.

And indeed Lothar, having obtained the commonwealth on that tenor, kept his father and Charles under free custody; and along with them he had ordered monks to be present, who would hand him over to the monastic life and would persuade him to assume that same life. But the commonwealth, since each man, enticed by cupidity, was seeking his own interests, was going daily for the worse. Wherefore both the monks whom we mentioned above and the others who were grieving at what had been done began to question him, whether, if the commonwealth were restored to him, he would wish to raise and foster it to the best of his powers—most especially the divine cult, by which every order is protected and governed.

Quod quia facile confessum, in restauratione eius ocius consensum est; assumptoque Guntbaldo quodam monacho sub specie religionis in hoc negotio ad Pippinum Ludovicumque, filios eius, occulte direxit, promittens, si in sua restitutione una cum his qui hoc cupiebant adesse voluissent, regnum utrisque se ampliare velle. Ac per hoc perfacile cupideque paruere; conventuque condicto regina et fratres eius eidem restituuntur, ac plebs universa dicioni eius se subdidit. Hinc hi qui cum Lodhario senserunt in concilium deducti et ab ipso Lodhario ad mortem diiudicati aut vita donata in exsilium retrusi sunt.

And since this was easily confessed, consent to his restoration was more swiftly reached; and, having taken up a certain monk Guntbald under the appearance of religion in this matter, he secretly sent him to Pippin and to Louis, his sons, promising that, if they were willing to be present at his restoration together with those who desired this, he wished to enlarge the kingdom for both. And through this they obeyed very easily and eagerly; and with an assembly appointed, the queen and her brothers are restored to him, and the whole populace subjected itself to his dominion. Thence those who sided with Lodharius, brought into council and by Lodharius himself judged to death, or, life being granted, were thrust into exile.

Lodharium quoque sola Italia contentum ea pactione abire permisit, ut extra patris voluntatem nihil deinceps moliri in regno temptaret. Cumque se haec ita haberent, et res publica paululum respirari videretur, confestim Guntbaldus monachus, quem supra memoravimus, quia multa in restitutione eius laboraverat, secundus in imperio esse volebat; quod quoniam Bernardus, uti praemissum est, olim fuerat, summa industria iterum esse certabat. Pippinus quoque et Lodhuwicus, quamquam eis regna, sicut promissum fuerat, aucta fuissent, tamen in imperio ut post patrem primi essent, uterque laborabat; at illi, per quos tunc res publica tractabatur, voluntati eorum obsistebant.

He also permitted Lodharius, content with Italy alone, to depart on this pact: that he should thereafter attempt to contrive nothing in the kingdom outside his father’s will. And when matters thus stood, and the republic seemed to breathe a little, at once Guntbaldus the monk, whom we mentioned above, because he had labored much in his restoration, wished to be second in the empire; and since Bernardus, as has been set forth above, had formerly been that, he strove with utmost industry to be so again. Pippinus likewise and Lodhuwicus, although the kingdoms had been enlarged to them as had been promised, nevertheless each labored to be first in the empire after their father; but those by whom at that time the republic was being managed resisted their will.

4. Per idem tempus Aquitania Pippino dempta Karolo datur, et in eius obsequio primatus populi, qui cum patre sentiebat, iurat. Quod quidem hi, quos supra rettulimus, graviter ferentes, ut res publica inutiliter tractaretur, divulgant populumque quasi ad iustum regimen sollicitant; Walanam, Elisachar, Mathfridum ceterosque, qui in exsilium retrusi fuerant custodia emittunt; Lodharium, ut rem publicam invadat, compellunt; insuper autem et Gregorium Romanae summae sedis pontificem, ut sua auctoritate liberius quod cupiebant perficere possent, sub eadem specie magnis precibus in supplementum suae voluntatis assumunt. Quam ob rem imperator una cum omni quod habebat imperio, tres reges filiique eius adversus eum cum ingenti exercitu, insuper papa Gregorius cum omni comitatu Romano Elisazam confluunt iuxtaque montem Sigwaldi castra ponunt ac variis affectionibus populum, ut a patre deficeret, filii compellunt.

4. At the same time Aquitaine, taken away from Pippin, is given to Charles, and in his obedience the primates of the people, who felt with the father, swear an oath. But those whom we recounted above, taking this grievously, spread abroad that the commonwealth was being handled unprofitably, and they stir up the people as if toward a just governance; they release Wala, Elisachar, Matfrid, and the others who had been thrust into exile, from custody; they compel Lothar to invade the commonwealth; moreover they also take up Gregory, pontiff of the supreme Roman see, under the same pretext, with great entreaties, as a reinforcement of their will, so that by his authority they might more freely accomplish what they desired. Wherefore the emperor, together with all the command that he had, and, against him, the three kings his sons with a huge army, and, in addition, Pope Gregory with all the Roman retinue, converge upon Elisaza and pitch camp near Mount Sigwald; and by various appeals the sons compel the people to defect from their father.

Novissime quibusdam fuga lapsis, cum perpaucis pater capitur; uxor ab eo dempta in Langobardiam exsilio mittitur, ac Karolus una cum patre sub magna custodia servatur. Gregorius siquidem papa itineris paenitudine correptus tardius quam vellet Romam revertitur.

At last, with certain men having slipped away in flight, the father is captured with very few; his wife, taken away from him, is sent into exile in Lombardy, and Charles together with his father is kept under heavy guard. Indeed Pope Gregory, overtaken by the weariness of the journey, returns to Rome later than he would have wished.

Et Lodharius quidem iterum eo tenore imperium adeptum quod iniuste tam facile iterato obtinuit, iterato facilius iuste amisit. Nam Pippinus et Lodhuwicus videntes, quod Lodharius universum imperium sibi vindicare iliosque deteriores efficere vellet, graviter ferebant; insuper autem, dum Huc, Lambertus atque Mathfridus, quis illorum secundus post Lodharium in imperio haberetur, ambigerent, dissedere coeperunt et, quoniam quisque eorum propria quaerebat, rem publicam penitus neglegebant. Quod quidem populus cernens molestus erat.

And indeed Lothar, having again attained the empire on this footing—that what he had unjustly so easily obtained a second time, he a second time more easily and justly lost. For Pepin and Louis, seeing that Lothar wished to vindicate the universal empire for himself and to make them worse off, bore it grievously; moreover, while Hugh, Lambert, and Matfrid were disputing as to which of them should be held second after Lothar in the empire, they began to dissent, and, since each of them was seeking his own interests, they were utterly neglecting the commonwealth. This, indeed, the people, perceiving, were vexed by.

Occurrebat insuper etiam filiis verecundia et paenitudo, quod patrem bis honore privaverant, universae plebi, quod bis imperatorem dimiserant, ac per hoc hinc inde in restitutione eius consentiunt et undique ad Sanctum Dionysium, ubi tunc Lodharius patrem et Karolum servabat, affluere contendunt. Cernens Lodharius praedictam animositatem vires suas excedere, antequam conveniant, arma sumit, patrem ac Karolum dimittit itinereque arrepto Viennam petit. Plebs autem non modica, quae praesens aderat, et iam iamque Lodhario pro patre vim inferre volebat rege recepto basilicam sancti Dionysii una cum episcopis et omni clero confluunt, laudes Deo devote referunt, coronam et arma regi suo imponunt et ad cetera deliberaturi contendunt.

In addition there came upon the sons shame and penitence, because they had twice deprived their father of honor; upon the whole populace, because they had twice dismissed the emperor; and through this, from here and there, they agree in his restoration and strive from every side to stream to Saint Dionysius, where at that time Lodharius was keeping his father and Karolus under guard. Seeing that the aforesaid spiritedness exceeded his own forces, before they should assemble he takes up arms, releases his father and Karolus, and, setting out, makes for Vienna. But a not small common people, who were present and were just now wishing to inflict force upon Lodharius on behalf of the father, with the king received back, flock into the basilica of Saint Dionysius together with the bishops and all the clergy, devoutly render praises to God, place the crown and arms upon their king, and hasten to deliberate about the rest.

Lodharium pater persequi distulit, sed legatos, qui eum citra Alpes festinare iuberent, post illum direxit; Pippinum ad se venientem benigne excepit, gratias in eo, quod pro sua restitutione laboraverat, egit ac reverti eum in Aquitaniam, uti petiverat, permisit. Hinc inde fideles, qui evaserant et rem publicam regere consueverant, confluunt; cum quibus itinere arrepto Aquis hiematum petit, tandemque Lodhuwicum venientem gratanter excepit, quem et una secum causa praesidii esse praecepit. Interea hi qui Iudith in Italia servabant audientes, quod Lodharius fugam inierat, et pater imperium regebat, arrepta Iudith fugam ineunt, Aquis prospere perveniunt, gratum munus imperatori deferunt.

Lotharius’s father put off pursuing him, but sent envoys after him to bid him hasten to this side of the Alps; he kindly received Pippinus as he came to him, gave thanks to him because he had labored for his restitution, and permitted him to return to Aquitania, as he had requested. Hinc inde the fideles, who had escaped and had been accustomed to govern the commonwealth, flock together; with them, the journey being undertaken, he makes for Aachen to winter, and at length he gladly received Lodhuwicus as he came, and he also directed that he, together with himself, should be a means of safeguard. Meanwhile those who were guarding Judith in Italy, on hearing that Lotharius had entered upon flight and that the father was ruling the empire, seize Judith and take to flight; they arrive successfully at Aachen and present a pleasing gift to the emperor.

Verumtamen haud est toro regio recepta, donec se criminibus obiectis innoxiam, quia criminator deerat, sacramento una cum propinquis coram plebe effecit.

Nevertheless, she was by no means received to the royal couch, until she established by oath, together with her kinsfolk, before the plebs, that she was innocent of the charges brought against her, since the accuser was lacking.

5. Per idem tempus Mathfridus et Lantbertus ceterique a parte Lodharii penes marcam Brittannicam morabantur. Ad quos pellendos missus est Uodo et omnes inter Sequanam et Ligerem degentes, qui manu valida collecta hinc atque inde convenerunt. Et hos quidem paucitas ac per hoc summa necessitas unanimes effecit, Uodonem autem et suos maxima multitudo securos, discordes et inordinatos reddidit.

5. At the same time Matfrid and Lambert and the others of Lothar’s party were staying at the Breton March. Against them, to drive them out, Odo was sent, along with all dwelling between the Seine and the Loire, who, a strong force having been gathered, came together from here and there. And indeed their fewness—and through this their utmost necessity—made these men unanimous; but a very great multitude rendered Odo and his men over-secure, at odds, and disordered.

Quapropter proelio commisso fugerunt. Cecidit Uodo et Odo, Vivianus, Fulbertus ac plebis innumera multitudo. Quod quidem citato cursu victores Lodhario notantes mandant, ut, quantocius posset, illis cum exercitu occurrat.

Wherefore, when battle was joined, they fled. Uodo and Odo fell, as did Vivianus and Fulbertus, and an innumerable multitude of the common people. This, at a swift pace, the victors report to Lothar, sending word that, as quickly as he could, he should meet them with the army.

Qui libenter paruit et Cavillonum collecta manu valida venit, civitatem obsidione cinxit, proeliando triduum obsedit et tandem urbem captam una cum ecclesiis incendit. Gerbergam more maleficorum in Ararim mergi praecepit, Gozhelmum et Senilam capite punivit, Warino autem vitam donavit et, ut se deinceps pro viribus iuvaret, iure iurando constrinxit. Hinc autem Lodharius et sui duobus proeliis feliciter gestis magnanimes effecti, universum imperium perfacile invadere sperantes, ad cetera deliberaturi Aurilianensem urbem petunt.

He gladly obeyed and came to Cavillonum with a strong band gathered; he encircled the city with a siege, besieged it for three days by fighting, and at length burned the captured city together with the churches. He ordered Gerberga, in the manner of malefactors, to be plunged into the Arar; he punished Gozhelm and Senila with the head, but granted life to Warin, and bound him by an oath that henceforth he would aid him to the best of his powers. Then Lothar and his men, made high-spirited by two battles successfully conducted, hoping to invade the whole empire very easily, set out for the Aurelianensian city to deliberate about the rest.

Quod pater audiens e Francia manu valida collecta, insuper Lodhuwico filio suo cum universis, qui trans Rhenum morabantur, in auxilium sibi assumpto tantum facinus a filio in imperium commissum vindicaturus perrexit. Lodharius quoque eadem spe, qua Francos abducere consuerat, animatus ire obvius ratum duxit; ac per hoc hinc inde confluunt, supraque fluvium iuxta villam quae Calviacus dicitur castra ponunt. Sed Franci, eo quod imperatorem bis reliquerant, paenitudine correpti et, ut deinde tale quid committerent, turpe iudicantes ad defectionem impelli dedignati sunt; quam ob rem cum nec fuge nec proelii locum videret, ea pactione novissime proelium diremit, ut infra dies statutos Alpibus excederet ac deinceps sine patris iussione fines Franciae ingredi non praesumeret et extra patris voluntatem in eius imperio deinceps nihil moliri temptaret.

Hearing this, the father, with a strong force gathered from Francia, and moreover having taken into his aid Lodhuwicus his son together with all who were dwelling beyond the Rhine, set out to avenge so great a crime committed by his son against the empire. Lodharius also, encouraged by the same hope by which he had been accustomed to lead away the Franks, deemed it fixed to go to meet him; and thus from this side and that they converge, and they pitch camp above the river near the villa which is called Calviacus. But the Franks, because they had twice abandoned the emperor, seized with penitence and judging it shameful that they should thereafter commit such a thing, disdained to be driven to defection; wherefore, since he saw room neither for flight nor for battle, he finally broke off the engagement on this stipulation: that within the days set he would withdraw beyond the Alps, and thereafter would not presume to enter the borders of Francia without his father’s order, and that, outside his father’s will, he would thenceforth attempt to undertake nothing within his empire.

Quod et ita se et suos servaturos tam is quam et sui sacramento firmaverunt.

And both he and his confirmed by oath that they would thus keep this, for themselves and their own.

6. Eis ita compositis pater, uti et cum quibus consueverat, imperium regebat. Videns autem, quod populus nullo modo diebus vitae suae illum relinquere, uti consueverat, vellet, conventu Aquis hieme indicto portionem regni his terminis notatam Karolo dedit: Id est a mari per fines Saxoniae usque ad fines Ribuariorum totam Frisiam et per fines Ribuariorum comitatus Moilla, Haettra, Hammolant, Masagouwi, deinde vero quicquid inter Mosam et Sequanam usque Burgundiam una cum Viridunense consistit et de Burgundia Tullensem, Odornensem, Bedensem, Blesensem, Pertensem, utrosque Barrenses, Brionensem, Tricasinum, Autisioderensem, Senonicum, Wastinensem, Milidunensem, Stampensem, Castrensem, Parisiacum et deinde per Sequanam usque in mare Oceanum et per ipsum mare usque in Frisiam, omnes videlicet episcopatus, abbatias, comitatus, fiscos et omnia infra praedictos fines consistentia cum omnibus ad se pertinentibus, in quacumque regione consistebant et sui iuris esse videbantur, una cum auctoritate divina atque paterna praefato filio suo Karolo dedit, firmumque ut permaneret, Dei omnipotentis clementiam exoravit. Hilduinus autem abbas ecclesiae sancti Dionysii et Gerardus comes Parisius civitatis ceterique omnes praedictos fines inhabitantes convenerunt fidemque sacramento Karolo firmaverunt.

6. With matters thus arranged, the father, as he was accustomed and with those with whom he had been accustomed, was ruling the empire. But seeing that the people in no way would be willing, during the days of his life, to leave him, as they had been wont, a convent having been proclaimed at Aachen for the winter, he gave to Charles a portion of the kingdom marked by these boundaries: that is, from the sea through the borders of Saxony as far as the borders of the Ripuarians, all Frisia, and through the borders of the Ripuarians the counties of Moilla, Haettra, Hammolant, Masagouwi; then indeed whatever lies between the Meuse and the Seine up to Burgundy together with Verdun, and from Burgundy Toul, Odornense, Bedense, Blesense, Pertense, both the Barrois, Brionense, Tricasinum, Autisioderense, Senonicum, Wastinense, Milidunense, Stampense, Castrense, Parisiacum; and then along the Seine as far as the Ocean sea, and through that very sea as far as Frisia—namely all the bishoprics, abbeys, counties, fiscs, and all things standing within the aforesaid boundaries with all things pertaining to themselves, in whatever region they stood and seemed to be of his right—together with divine and paternal authority he gave to his aforesaid son Charles, and he besought the clemency of Almighty God that it might remain firm. Moreover Hilduin, abbot of the church of Saint Denis, and Gerard, count of the city of Paris, and all the rest inhabiting the aforesaid boundaries assembled and confirmed their fealty to Charles by an oath.

Quod quidem Lotharius et Lodhuwicus audientes graviter ferebant, unde et colloquium indixerunt. Ad quod venientes, cum nihil ex his indignari se posse viderent, callide dissimulantes quippiam se contra patris voluntatem moliri velle, discesserunt; verumtamen ob id colloquium commotio non modica exorta est, sed facile quievit. Hinc autem Carisiacum mediante Septembrio venit seditionemque quandam similiter perfacile sedavit ac praefato Karolo arma et coronam nec non et quandam portionem regni inter Sequanam et Ligerem dedit, Pippinum ac Karolum, ut videbatur, unanimes effecit ac deinde Pippinum in Aquitaniam abire cum gratia permisit, Karolum vero in partem regni, quam illi dederat, direxit.

Which indeed Lothar and Lodhuwicus, upon hearing, took grievously, and therefore they proclaimed a colloquy. Coming to it, when they saw that they could be indignant at none of these things, cleverly dissembling that they wished to contrive something against their father’s will, they departed; nevertheless, on account of that colloquy no small commotion arose, but it easily grew quiet. Thence, moreover, he came to Carisiacum in mid-September and likewise very easily quelled a certain sedition, and he gave to the aforesaid Charles arms and a crown, and also a certain portion of the kingdom between the Sequana and the Liger; he made Pippin and Charles, as it seemed, unanimous, and then permitted Pippin to go away into Aquitania with favor, but directed Charles into the part of the kingdom which he had given to him.

Quo veniens, omnes hos fines inhabitantes ad illum venerunt et fidem sacramento commendati eidem firmaverunt.

Coming there, all inhabiting these bounds came to him and, their faith commended by an oath, confirmed it to him.

Eodem tempore nuntiatur, quod Lodhuwicus a patre suo descivisset et quicquid trans Rhenum regni continebatur sibi vindicare vellet; quod pater eius audiens indicto conventu Magonciacum venit ac traiecto exercitu fugere illum in Baioariam compulit. Post Aquis exsultans rediit, quoniam, quocumque se verterat, nutu divino victor erat. Verumtamen ingruente senili aetate et propter varias afflictiones paene decrepita imminente, mater ac primores populi, qui in voluntate patris pro Karolo laboraverant, metuentes, si infectis rebus decederet, odia fratrum usque ad internecionem sibi insurgere, ratum duxerunt, ut quemlibet e filiis pater in supplementum sibi assumeret, et, si post discessum eius ceteri concordes esse nollent, saltem hi duo unanimes effecti valerent resistere invidorum factioni.

At the same time it is announced that Lodhuwicus had seceded from his father and wished to vindicate for himself whatever of the kingdom was contained across the Rhine; which, his father hearing, with a convent having been proclaimed came to Magonciacum and, the army having been ferried over, compelled him to flee into Baioariam. Afterward to Aquis he returned exultant, since, whithersoever he had turned himself, by the divine nod he was victor. Nevertheless, with senile age encroaching and, on account of various afflictions, an almost decrepit state impending, the mother and the foremost men of the people, who had labored in the father’s will on behalf of Karolus, fearing that, if he should depart with affairs unfinished, the hatreds of the brothers would rise up against them even unto extermination, judged it ratified that the father should assume whichever of his sons as a supplement to himself, and that, if after his departure the others were unwilling to be concordant, at least these two, made unanimous, might be able to resist the faction of the envious.

Cumque necessitate instante ac per hoc assiduis meditationibus in hac electione versarentur, universorum sententia consensit, si Lodharius certum se in hoc negotio praebere vellet, cum eo foedus iniri debere. Nam, uti praemissum est, idem olim patri matrique ac Karolo iuraverat, ut partem regni quam vellet pater eidem daret, et eandem se consentire et protegere illi contra omnes inimicos omnibus diebus vitae suae deberet. Quam ob rem missos deligunt et in Italiam ad Lodharium mittunt promittentes, si patris voluntatem deinceps erga Karolum conservare vellet, omnia, quae in illum hactenus deliquerat, remitti et omne regnum absque Baioaria inter illum et Karolum dividendum; quae quoniam Lodhario et suis rata videbantur, utraque ex parte sic velle ac sic se perficere iuraverunt.

And when, with necessity pressing, they were therefore engaged in assiduous meditations upon this election, the judgment of all agreed that, if Lothar were willing to show himself resolute in this business, a treaty ought to be entered with him. For, as was premised, he had formerly sworn to his father and mother and to Charles that his father should give him whatever part of the kingdom he wished, and that he on his part should consent to the same and protect him against all enemies all the days of his life. Wherefore they chose envoys and sent them into Italy to Lothar, promising that, if he were willing henceforth to preserve the father’s will toward Charles, all the offenses which he had hitherto committed against him would be remitted, and that the whole kingdom, Bavaria excepted, would be divided between him and Charles; which terms, since they seemed ratified to Lothar and his followers, on both sides they swore thus to will and thus to accomplish.

7. Ergo ad urbem Vangionum conventu indicto convenerunt; in quo Lodharius humillime ad pedes patris coram cunctis procidit dicens: 'Novi me coram Deo et te, domine pater, deliquisse; non regnum, sed indulgentiam et, ut gratiam tuam merear, quaeso'. Idem autem ut pius ac clemens pater et delicta postulanti indulsit et gratiam roganti concessit, eo scilicet pacto, ut deinceps nihil quolibet modo contra suam voluntatem nec in Karolum nec in regnum alicubi egisset. Dein benigne illum excepit ac deosculans gratias Deo pro filio, quem aversum reconciliaverat, egit. Ad prandium deinde conversi sunt, in crastinum de ceteris, quae sui iuraverant, deliberaturi.

7. Therefore they convened at the city of the Vangiones, an assembly having been convoked; in which Lothar, most humbly, fell at his father’s feet before all, saying: ‘I know that I have transgressed before God and you, lord father; I ask not for a kingdom, but for indulgence, and that I may merit your grace.’ He, moreover, as a pious and clement father, both indulged the offenses of the petitioner and granted grace to the one asking, on this pact namely, that henceforth he should in no way do anything against his will, neither against Charles nor anywhere against the kingdom. Then he kindly received him and, kissing him, gave thanks to God for the son whom, estranged, he had reconciled. Then they turned to the midday meal, to deliberate on the morrow about the rest of the matters which they had sworn.

Die autem altera concilium ineunt. Hinc pater, ut sui iuraverant, perficere cupiens: 'Ecce, fili, ut promiseram, regnum omne coram te est, divide illud, prout libuerit. Quod si tu diviseris, partium electio Karoli erit; si autem nos illud diviserimus, similiter partium electio tua erit.' Quod idem cum per triduum dividere vellet, sed minime posset, Iosippum atque Richardum ad patrem direxit deprecans, ut ille et sui regnum dividerent, partiumque electio sibi concederetur; insuper vero in ea fide, quam illis iuraverant, testati sunt, quod pro nulla re alia nisi sola ignorantia regionum id peragere differret.

On the next day, however, they enter upon a council. Thence the father, wishing to bring to completion what his own had sworn: ‘Behold, son, as I had promised, the whole kingdom is before you; divide it as it shall have pleased you. But if you shall divide it, the election of the parts will belong to Charles; if, however, we shall divide it, likewise the election of the parts will be yours.’ And when that same man, though for three days he wished to divide it, yet by no means could, he sent Joseph and Richard to the father, beseeching that he and his own should divide the kingdom, and that the election of the parts be granted to himself; moreover, indeed, upon that faith which they had sworn to them, they bore witness that he was deferring to carry this through for no other reason except only ignorance of the regions.

Quam ob rem pater, ut aequius valuit, regnum omne absque Baioaria cum suis divisit; et a Mosa partem australem Lodharius cum suis elegit, quin immo et accepit, occiduam vero, ut Karolo conferretur, consensit et una cum patre coram omni populo ita se velle adnuntiavit. Hinc autem pater fratres, prout valuit, unanimes effecit, rogans ac deprecans, ut invicem se diligerent, et ut alter ab altero protegeretur, adhortans exorat et quod fieri desiderat optat. Quibus peractis benigne et pacifice Lodharium in Italiam ditatum remissionis gratia ac regni muneribus remittens, sacramenta, quae saepe iuraverat, quotiens in illum deliquerat, quotiens delicta eidem donaverat, in memoriam reducens ac piis visceribus monens contestabatur, ne saltem id, quod tunc novissime peregerant, coramque cunctis ita se velle confirmaverat, frustrari quolibet modo permittat.

For which reason the father, as equitably as he was able, divided the whole kingdom, Bavaria excepted, with his own; and from the Meuse Lodharius with his men chose the southern part—nay rather, he even received it—while for the western part he consented that it be conferred upon Charles, and together with his father before all the people he announced that thus he wished. Then the father, as he could, made the brothers of one mind, begging and beseeching that they love one another mutually, and that the one be protected by the other; exhorting, he implores and desires what he wishes to be done. When these things were completed, kindly and peaceably sending Lodharius back into Italy enriched by the favor of remission and the gifts of the kingdom, recalling to mind the oaths which he had often sworn—as often as he had offended against him, as often as he had forgiven his offenses—and admonishing with tender affections, he solemnly testified that he should not at least allow that which they had then most recently accomplished, and had confirmed before all that thus he wished, to be frustrated in any way.

8. Eodem tempore, ut Pippinus decessisset, pater nuntium acceperat; et pars quaedam populi, quid avus de regno vel nepotibus iuberet, praestolabatur; pars autem arrepto filio eius Pippino, quia natu maximus erat tyrannidem exercebat. Quapropter his ita, ut praefatum est, cum Lodhario perfectis, collecta manu valida per Cavillonem Clarum-montem una cum Karolo ac matre pater petit ac partem populi, quae illum praestolabatur, inibi benigne recepit. Et quoniam olim regnum Aquitaniae Karolo donaverat, ut illi se commendarent, hortando suasit, iussit.

8. At the same time, when Pippin had departed, the father had received the message; and a certain part of the people was awaiting what the grandfather would order concerning the kingdom or the grandsons; but a part, having seized his son Pippin, because he was the eldest by birth, was exercising tyranny. Wherefore, these matters thus, as has been said, having been settled with Lothar, the father, having gathered a strong band, made his way by Chalon to Clermont together with Charles and the mother, and there graciously received the part of the people which was awaiting him. And since he had formerly bestowed the kingdom of Aquitaine upon Charles, by exhorting he persuaded and ordered that they commend themselves to him.

Qui omnes commendati eidem sacramento fidem firmaverunt. Post quod, quomodo tyrannos compesceret, contendit. Per idem tempus Lodhuwicus a Baioaria solito more egressus Alamanniam invasit cum quibusdam Toringis et Saxonibus sollicitatis; quam ob rem pater eius ab Aquitania revocatus, dimisso videlicet Karolo una cum matre eius Pictavis, ipse vero sanctum pascha Aquis celebravit et sic uno eodemque itinere Toringam petiit.

Who all, having been commended to the same sacrament, confirmed their faith. After which, he strove to restrain the tyrants. At the same time Lodhuwicus, having set out from Bavaria in the accustomed manner, invaded Alamannia with certain Thuringians and Saxons stirred up; for which reason his father, recalled from Aquitaine—having dismissed, namely, Charles together with his mother, at Poitiers—himself celebrated the holy Pascha at Aachen, and thus by one and the same journey made for Thuringia.

A qua Lodhuwico filio eius pulso, per Sclavos itinere redempto eum in Baioariam fugere compulit. Quo peracto Kal. Iulii ad Vangionum urbem conventum indixit, ad quod Lodharium filium suum ab Italia venire praecepit, cum eo ceterisque sibi credulis de Lodhuwico deliberaturus.

From there, with Lodhuwicus his son driven out, and the journey secured through the Slavs, he compelled him to flee into Bavaria. With this accomplished, on the Kalends of July he proclaimed an assembly at the city of the Vangiones, to which he ordered his son Lodharius to come from Italy, about to deliberate concerning Lodhuwicus with him and the rest loyal to himself.

Cumque se haec ita haberent, et Lodharius in Italia, Lodhuwicus trans Rhenum, et Karolus in Aquitania esset, Lodhuwicus imperator paterque illorum in insula quadam iuxta Magonciatum XII. Kal. Iulii obiit; quem Drogo frater et episcopus atque archicapellanus eius Mettis civitate sua apud Sanctum Arnulfum una cum episcopis, abbatibus comitibusque congruo honore sepulturae tradidit.

And as these things stood, with Lothar in Italy, Louis across the Rhine, and Charles in Aquitaine, Louis the emperor, their father, died on a certain island near Mainz on the 12th day before the Kalends of July; whom Drogo, his brother and bishop and archchaplain, consigned to burial with fitting honor at Metz, his city, at Saint Arnulf, together with bishops, abbots, and counts.

Vixit per annos IIII et LX, rexit Aquitaniam per annos VII et XXX, imperiale vero nomen per annos VII et XX et per annos VII et XX et per menses sex obtinuit.

He lived for 64 years, he ruled Aquitaine for 37 years, and the imperial name indeed he held for 27 years and for 27 years and for six months.