Nominoe’s Continued Raids in Neustria and Charles…

Nominoe’s Continued Raids in Neustria and Charles the Bald’s Response (849)

Despite the orders from the Council of Meerssen (847) demanding that Nominoe of Brittany and Pepin II of Aquitaine cease their attacks on Charles the Bald, both rulers persist in their campaigns, likely with support from Emperor Lothair I.

Nominoe’s Opportunistic Raids in 849

• Nominoe, likely funded by Lothair, refuses to desist and continues his raids into Neustria.
• In the spring of 849, while Charles is occupied in Aquitaine, Nominoe takes advantage of his absence to raid Neustria once again.
• When Charles returns to the region in the fall, Nominoe launches a second campaign, further demonstrating his independent power.

The Breton Invasion of Anjou and the Restoration of Lambert in Nantes

• Nominoe invades Anjou, expanding Breton control deeper into Frankish territory.
• In response, Charles reestablishes Lambert II of Nantes in his former position, reinforcing Frankish presence on the Breton border.
• This move signals Charles’ renewed attempt to curb Breton expansion, using loyal Frankish nobles to counter Nominoe’s influence.

The Ongoing Carolingian-Breton Conflict

• Nominoe’s continued defiance shows that he is no longer acting as a mere Carolingian vassal but is instead building an autonomous Breton state.
• The failure of Charles to permanently subdue Brittany foreshadows further conflicts, culminating in Nominoe’s victories over Frankish forces in the early 850s.
• Lothair’s possible financial support for Nominoe and Pepin II suggests that he still seeks to weaken Charles, using these regional rulers as proxy forces.

By 849, Brittany is no longer just a rebellious province, but a rising power actively expanding into Carolingian lands, setting the stage for further Breton-Franconian warfare.