Lothair II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lothair II |
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Seal of Lothair II
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| King of Lotharingia | |
| Reign | 855–869 |
| Predecessor | Lothair I |
| Successor | Charles the Bald |
| Born | 835 |
| Died | 8 August 869 Piacenza |
| Burial | Basilica of Sant'Antonino |
| Spouse | Teutberga Waldrada |
| Issue more... |
Hugh, Duke of Alsace Bertha |
| Dynasty | Carolingian |
| Father | Lothair I |
| Mother | Ermengarde of Tours |
Lothair II (born 835 – died August 8, 869) was a king who ruled the land of Lotharingia. He was king from 855 until he died in 869. He was the second son of Emperor Lothair I and Ermengarde of Tours. Lothair II was married to a woman named Teutberga.
Contents
Lothair's Kingdom
Lothair's father, Emperor Lothair I, divided his large kingdom among his three sons. This happened just before the Emperor died in 855. This division was called the Treaty of Prüm.
Lothair II received a part of the kingdom called Middle Francia. This land was west of the Rhine River. It stretched from the North Sea all the way to the Jura Mountains. This area became known as Regnum Lotharii. Later, in the 900s, people started calling it Lotharingia. Today, parts of it are known as Lorraine.
His older brother, Louis II, received northern Italy. Louis also got the important title of Emperor. Lothair's younger brother, Charles, received the western parts of their father's lands. These included Burgundy and the Provence.
Expanding His Lands
In 863, Lothair's brother Charles died. Lothair then added some lands south of the Jura Mountains to his own kingdom. He didn't do much to protect his kingdom. He only made a few small efforts against Viking pirates. We know about Lothair's rule from 36 royal papers he signed.
His Marriage and Succession
Lothair II's reign was mostly focused on his marriage. For political reasons, his father had arranged for him to marry Teutberga in 855. However, Lothair and Teutberga did not have children together. This was a big problem for a king, as he needed a son to inherit his throne.
Lothair wanted to end his marriage to Teutberga. He hoped to marry another woman named Waldrada, with whom he had children. His efforts to end his marriage affected his relationships with his uncles. These uncles were Charles the Bald and Louis the German. Lothair wanted their help to get his marriage annulled.
Challenges and Decisions
The three kings often argued and then made up. Generally, Louis the German supported Lothair's wish to end his marriage. Charles the Bald was against it. Both uncles knew that Lothair had no sons who could legally inherit his lands.
Lothair tried to send Teutberga away. But a man named Hucbert fought for her. After Teutberga went through a special test, Lothair had to take her back in 858.
Lothair still wanted to end his marriage. He got help from his brother, Emperor Louis II. Lothair gave Louis some land in return for his support. Lothair also got local church leaders to agree to end his marriage. They also agreed to his marriage to Waldrada. This new marriage happened in 862.
The Pope's Decision
In 863, a meeting of church leaders in Metz confirmed Lothair's new marriage. But Teutberga went to the court of Charles the Bald for help. Pope Nicholas I then said that the church leaders' decision was not valid.
The Emperor tried to pressure the Pope, but it didn't work. In 865, Lothair was threatened with being kicked out of the church. He also thought his uncles were planning to divide his kingdom. So, he took Teutberga back as his wife again.
However, Teutberga herself then said she wanted the marriage to end. Lothair traveled to Italy to get the new pope, Adrian II, to agree. Lothair thought the Pope had given his approval. But on his way back, he became sick with a fever and died in Piacenza on August 8, 869.
What Happened Next?
Lothair had a son named Hugh with Waldrada. But Hugh was not considered a legal heir because his parents' marriage was not officially recognized. So, Lothair's brother, Louis II of Italy, was his legal heir.
At the time of Lothair's death, Louis was fighting in Italy. Because of this, Lothair's kingdom was divided between his two uncles. These were Charles the Bald and Louis the German. This division was made by the Treaty of Meerssen.
Lothair's Children
Lothair II had several children with Waldrada. All of them were considered not legal heirs at the time.
- Hugh (born around 855 – died 895): He was the Duke of Alsace from 867 to 885.
- Gisela (born around 865 – died 908): In 883, she married Godfrey. He was a Viking leader who ruled in Frisia. Godfrey was killed in 885.
- Bertha (born around 863 – died 925): She first married Count Theobald of Arles. He was a nephew of Teutberga. They had two sons, Hugh of Italy and Boso of Tuscany. After Theobald died, Bertha married Adalbert II of Tuscany. They had at least three children: Guy, Lambert, and Ermengard.
- Ermengarde (died around 90?)
- Odo (died around 879)
See also
In Spanish: Lotario II de Lotaringia para niños
