Bernard of Gothia facts for kids
Bernard II (called Bernat de Gothia in Catalan) was an important leader in the Frankish kingdom during the 800s. He was a count of several important regions, including Barcelona, Girona, and areas known as Septimania and Gothia. He held these titles from 865 to 878.
Early Life
Bernard was the son of Count Bernard I of Poitiers and Bilichilde. His family was well-connected. For example, his cousin, Emeno, was a count who sadly died fighting against the Vikings. Bernard also had an uncle, Gauzlin, who was a royal Chancellor and an important abbot.
A Time of Change
Bernard was very loyal to King Charles the Bald. In 851, a civil war broke out, and Bernard supported the King. After some rebel leaders were defeated or died, King Charles began to give out new lands and titles.
In 864, Bernard was given important counties in central France, like Auvergne and Autun. This happened after another leader, Bernard Plantapilosa, lost these lands for rebelling.
However, in 865, King Charles changed his mind. He took back the counties of Auvergne and Autun from Bernard. Instead, he gave Bernard even more important lands in the south. These included the counties of Barcelona, Ausona, Roussillon, and many others like Narbonne, Agde, Béziers, Melgueil, and Nîmes. These areas were very important for defending the kingdom.
Around this time, King Charles the Child, who was Charles the Bald's son, died in 866. This caused problems in a region called Aquitaine, as many important positions became empty.
New Leaders and Lands
King Charles the Bald continued to reorganize his government. He gave new lands to loyal family members and supporters. Bernard of Gothia also gained more power. When the Count of Poitou died, that county was given to Bernard of Gothia.
Later, around 869, two other counts, Solomon of Urgell and Cerdanya, and Otger of Girona and Besalú, passed away. In 870, King Charles added Otger's counties (Girona and Besalú) to Bernard of Gothia's lands. This made Bernard even more powerful.
The other counties, Urgell and Cerdanya, were given to Wilfred the Hairy. Wilfred would later become a very famous count in Catalan history.
In 872, King Charles the Bald put his brother-in-law, Boso, in charge of Aquitaine. Bernard of Gothia and Bernard Plantapilosa were asked to help Boso govern the empire.
The Rebellion of 877
By 876, King Charles made more changes to his government in the south. He gave the County of Berry to Bernard of Gothia. Bernard's power continued to grow.
However, Bernard started to disagree with the King's decisions. When a new bishop, Frotario, was chosen for Bourges, Bernard opposed him. Bernard saw the new bishop as someone who would challenge his great power.
In 877, Bernard of Gothia, along with Boso, Bernard Plantapilosa, and others, openly rebelled against King Charles. But King Charles died on October 6, 877, in the middle of the rebellion.
The fighting did not stop. The rebels then fought against Charles's son, Louis the Stammerer, who became the new king. Eventually, many of the rebels were defeated. This left Bernard, his brother Emeno, and his uncles to fight alone.
Louis the Stammerer was crowned king in December 877. The Church also condemned the rebels for their actions.
On September 11, 878, King Louis took away all of Bernard's titles and lands. Autun was given to his Chamberlain, Theodoric. Bernard Plantapilosa received Berry and Septimania. Wilfred the Hairy was given Barcelona, Ausona, Girona, and Besalú. Miró the Old received Roussillon.
Bernard continued to resist in Autun for a short time, but he died in 879.
See also
In Spanish: Bernardo de Gothia para niños
