Louis the Pious

MedievalEmperorFrankish Empire778 — 840

Son of Charlemagne, his reign saw the beginning of Carolingian decline.

Compare Louis the Pious with another historical figure:

Quick Facts

Born

778

Died

840

Country

Frankish Empire

Era

Medieval

Occupation

Emperor

Score Overview

Military (10%)50

Political (20%)39

Influence (20%)54

Legacy (20%)45

Leadership (15%)62

Strategy (15%)39

Total Score48.9

Louis the Pious — Complete Timeline

817 AD

Ordinatio ImperiiPolitical Action◆ Major

Louis issued the Ordinatio Imperii, dividing the Frankish Empire among his three sons: Lothair, Pepin, and Louis the German. This plan aimed to maintain unity under Lothair's seniority but led to civil wars after Pepin's death.

SuccessionDivisionCivil War

Impact: regional

822 AD

Penance at AttignyPolitical Action

Louis performed public penance at Attigny for the death of his nephew Bernard of Italy, whom he had blinded. This act weakened his authority and set a precedent for ecclesiastical intervention in royal affairs.

PenanceChurchBernard of Italy

Impact: nationaltragic

841 AD

Battle of FontenoyWar◆ Major

After Louis's death, his sons fought the Battle of Fontenoy, where Charles the Bald and Louis the German defeated Lothair. This battle was a key event in the Carolingian civil wars that led to the empire's fragmentation.

Civil WarCarolingianDivision

Impact: regionaldestructive