The Fall of a Carolingian Kingdom

Opening up Carolingian history to a new generation, this book draws on recently translated primary sources to examine the collapse of an early medieval kingdom.

The Fall of a Carolingian Kingdom investigates how the first royal divorce scandal led to the collapse of a kingdom, changing the fate of medieval Europe. Through a set of annotated translations of key contemporary sources, the book presents the downfall of the Frankish middle kingdom Lotharingia as a case study in early medieval politics, equipping readers to develop their own independent interpretations.

The book tracks the twists and turns of the scandal as it unfolded over a crucial decade and a half in the ninth century. It pinpoints key decisions and traces their consequences, placing them in the wider context of Carolingian politics, as the heirs of the Frankish emperors Charlemagne and Louis the Pious struggled to master their legacies. Drawing on primary sources such as letters, material culture, and secret treaties, The Fall of a Carolingian Kingdom offers readers a sharply defined window onto one of the most dramatic episodes in Carolingian history, rich with insights into the workings of early medieval society.

" The Fall of a Carolingian Kingdom offers lucid translations of a complex body of sources previously unavailable, providing cogent introductions and full contextualization to enable readers to trace the rise and fall of a short-lived early medieval kingdom. Marrying elegant translation with incisive analysis, Charles West invites readers to join him in exploring the complexity of early medieval politics and, in so doing, beautifully illustrates the task of the historian."

--Jennifer R. Davis, Associate Professor of History, The Catholic University of America

" The Fall of a Carolingian Kingdom is a wonderfully clear guide to the events and evidence of the great drama of a medieval divorce that transcended the confines of the royal bedroom to involve Vikings, popes, warriors, and a massive supporting cast. This murky tragedy of tormented queens and kings is now accessible for scrutiny by the wide audience it deserves."

--Stuart Airlie, University of Glasgow

"With The Fall of a Carolingian Kingdom, Charles West gives readers access to a real-life game of thrones , a gripping early medieval contest whose rules were uncertain and negotiable and whose stakes were life, death, and the very future of Europe."

--Courtney M. Booker, University of British Columbia

Charles West is a professor of medieval history at the University of Edinburgh.

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