Charles the Younger facts for kids

Charles the Younger (born around 772 – died 4 December 811) was an important member of the Carolingian dynasty. He was the second son of the famous emperor Charlemagne and his wife, Hildegard of Swabia. Charles was also the brother of Louis the Pious and Pepin Carloman. When Charlemagne decided to divide his large empire among his sons, Charles was chosen to be the King of the Franks.

Early Life and Family

Charles the Younger had an older half-brother named Pepin the Hunchback. Pippin was sent to a monastery in 792 after he was involved in a rebellion against their father, Charlemagne. Charles also had two younger brothers. Carloman (who was later renamed Pippin) became the sub-king of Italy. His other brother, Louis the Pious, was made the sub-king of Aquitaine.

Charles's Role as King

Charles was mainly busy dealing with the Bretons, who lived near his border. They rebelled against him at least twice, but Charles easily put down these uprisings. He was also sent to fight against the Saxons many times.

In 790, his father Charlemagne gave Charles a role in governing the lands of Francia and Saxony. Charles was also made the ruler of an area called the ducatus Cenomannicus, which is now known as the Duchy of Maine. He was given the title of king for this region.

Coronation in Rome

A very important event happened on 25 December 800. On this day, Charles was crowned King of the Franks in Rome. This was the exact same day that his father, Charlemagne, was crowned Emperor.

A Royal Marriage Idea

Around 789, Charlemagne suggested that Charles the Younger should marry Ælfflæd. She was the daughter of Offa, who was the King of Mercia in England. However, King Offa had a condition. He said the marriage could only happen if Charlemagne's daughter, Bertha, married Offa's son, Ecgfrith. Charlemagne did not like this idea at all. He stopped all contact with Offa and closed his ports to English traders.

Eventually, things returned to normal between them. The ports were reopened, and just a few years later, in 796, Charlemagne and Offa made a special agreement. This was the first known trade treaty in English history.

Military Campaigns

In 806, Charles led a Frankish military campaign. During this campaign, he defeated and killed a Sorbian duke named Miliduch. He also killed a Slavic leader called Knez Nussito (also known as Nessyta). This happened near a place that is now called Weißenfels.

Death and Legacy

Sadly, Charles the Younger died before his father, Charlemagne. On 4 December 811, Charles had a stroke and passed away in Bavaria. He was about 39 years old. Charles did not have any children. Because he died before his father, the entire kingdom eventually went to his younger brother, Louis the Pious. Pippin, Charles's other brother, had also passed away.

In old stories and legends, especially those from the Matter of France, Charles is sometimes shown as a fictional character named Charlot.

See also

In Spanish: Carlos el Joven para niños