Charles the Fat

Charles the Fat was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope John VIII on February 12, 881, in Rome. This coronation recognized his authority over Italy and the imperial title, but his actual power remained limited and contested.

Charles the Fat inherited the kingdoms of East Francia (876), Italy (879), and West Francia (884), briefly reuniting the Carolingian Empire under a single ruler for the last time. This reunification was fragile and did not last beyond his deposition.

Viking forces besieged Paris for nearly a year. Charles the Fat led a relief army but chose to pay the Vikings a tribute of 700 pounds of silver to lift the siege, rather than fight. This decision was widely seen as cowardly and weakened his authority.

Charles the Fat was deposed by an assembly of nobles at Tribur in November 887. His deposition was due to his failure to defend against Viking raids and his declining health. The empire was then divided among regional rulers, ending the unified Carolingian Empire.

Charles the Fat died on January 13, 888, in Neidingen, shortly after his deposition. His death marked the final collapse of the unified Carolingian Empire. The empire fragmented into several successor kingdoms, including France, Germany, and Italy.