German History

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. A Dictionary of World History Further reading

Treaty of Mersen

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Treaty of Mersen 870, redivision of the Carolingian empire by the sons of Louis I , Charles the Bald (later Charles II ) of the West Franks (France) and Louis the German of the East Franks (Germany), signed at Mersen (Dutch Meersen ), now in the Netherlands. The treaty superseded the tripartite division of the empire in 843 (see Verdun, Treaty of ). It divided the kingdom of Lotharingia between Charles and Louis, following the death (869) of their nephew, Lothair, king of Lotharingia. France obtained the territories roughly corresponding to the modern Netherlands, Belgium, and Lorraine and Germany received Alsace and the left bank of the Lower Rhine. The borders established did not last long.

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Charles II

A Dictionary of World History | 2000 | Copyright

Charles II (or Charles the Bald) (823–77) King of the West Franks (843–77), Emperor of Germany (875–77). He was the son of Emperor Louis the Pious. After the death of their father he and his brother, Louis the German, made war on their eldest brother Lothair, who had inherited the title of King of the West Franks. By the Treaty of Verdun in 843 Charles gained that kingdom. He and Louis divided Lothair's central kingdom between them in 870 by the Treaty of Mersen and Charles gained the imperial title in 875. The internal conflicts of his reign were further complicated by VIKING incursions. He was a noted patron of scholarship and the arts.