Meerssen Limburg Netherlands
870 CE
Worlds
The Atlantic Lands
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Nominoe’s Wars Against the Vikings and Raids into Neustria (844–847)
According to the Annales Bertiniani, Nominoe, ruler of Brittany, wages war against the Vikings in 844 and 847, demonstrating his commitment to defending Breton territory against Norse incursions. At the same time, however, he continues his campaigns against West Francia, launching further raids into Neustria, particularly near Bayeux in late December 846.
Nominoe’s Dual Wars: Against Vikings and Franks
- In 844, Nominoe fights the Vikings, likely attempting to secure Brittany’s coastline against Norse raids.
- By late 846, his Breton forces raid Neustria, particularly near Bayeux, extending their influence into Carolingian lands.
- This suggests that while Nominoe opposes Viking raids, he simultaneously seeks to expand Breton autonomy at the expense of Charles the Bald.
Possible Instigation by Lothair I
- The raids near Bayeux may have been instigated by Emperor Lothair I, who rivals Charles the Bald for control over Carolingian territories.
- Lothair had previously tried to gain allies among Charles’ enemies, possibly encouraging Nominoe’s continued aggression to weaken his brother.
The Council of Meerssen (February 847)
- In February 847, Charles the Bald meets with his brothers, Lothair I and Louis the German, at Meerssen, seeking a resolution to the ongoing Breton and Aquitanian conflicts.
- The three rulers agree to send orders to Nominoe and Pepin II of Aquitaine, demanding that they cease hostilities against Charles.
- This marks a rare moment of unity among the Carolingian brothers, demonstrating their recognition of Nominoe and Pepin II as significant threats.
The Growing Power of Brittany
- Despite these orders, Nominoe continues to act independently, further solidifying Breton sovereignty.
- His military campaigns against both Vikings and Franks illustrate his ambition to make Brittany not just a vassal duchy, but a fully independent state.
- By resisting Frankish authority, he sets the stage for continued conflicts between Brittany and West Francia throughout the 9th century.
Thus, while the Meerssen agreement in 847 attempts to curb Nominoe’s expansion, it ultimately fails to halt Brittany’s path toward independence, as Nominoe remains defiant against Carolingian rule.
The Treaty of Meerssen (870): The Final Partition of Lotharingia
Following the death of Lothair II on August 8, 869, the fate of his kingdom, Lotharingia, becomes a matter of contention among the remaining Carolingian rulers. Although Lothair’s elder brother, Emperor Louis II of Italy, was his rightful heir, he is engaged in a military campaign against the Emirate of Bari and unable to defend his claim. Seizing the opportunity, Louis the German (East Francia) and Charles the Bald (West Francia) divide Lotharingia between themselves, formalizing the Treaty of Meerssen in 870.
Background: The Fragmentation of Middle Francia
- 843 - Treaty of Verdun: Lothair I receives Middle Francia, a long, narrow kingdom stretching from the North Sea to Italy.
- 855 - Treaty of Prüm: After Lothair I’s death, Middle Francia is divided among his three sons:
- Louis II → Italy (Imperial Crown).
- Lothair II → Lotharingia (Austrasia, Frisia, and Upper Burgundy).
- Charles of Provence → Lower Burgundy and Provence.
- 863 - Death of Charles of Provence: His lands are split between Lothair II and Louis II, further complicating territorial claims.
- 869 - Death of Lothair II: Lotharingia becomes a target for division between his uncles Louis the German and Charles the Bald, excluding Emperor Louis II from any inheritance.
The Partition of Lotharingia (870)
The Treaty of Meerssen effectively replaces the Treaty of Verdun (843) by dividing the northern half of Middle Francia between East and West Francia:
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Charles the Bald (West Francia) receives:
- The western part of Lower Burgundy, including Lyon, Vienne, Vivarais, and Uzès.
- A small portion of Upper Burgundy, including Portois and Varais (Besançon), securing a route toward Italy.
- The western half of Lotharingia, forming a new Frankish frontier against Viking incursions.
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Louis the German (East Francia) receives:
- Most of Austrasia, including the key cities of Aachen and Metz.
- Most of Frisia, though large portions remain under Viking control and are only claimed on paper.
- Most of Upper Burgundy, joining it with Louis the Younger’s subkingdom of eastern Austrasia.
- Preventing Charles the Bald from reclaiming his family’s ancestral holdings in Lotharingia, reinforcing East Frankish dominance in the region.
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Lothair II’s illegitimate son, Hugh, is granted the Duchy of Alsace, but his claim to power remains tenuous.
Impact of the Treaty of Meerssen
- The dissolution of Lotharingia → The treaty permanently fragments Lotharingia, making it a contested region between East and West Francia for centuries.
- Exclusion of Emperor Louis II → The fact that Louis II of Italy receives no part of his brother’s landsweakens his imperial claim, ensuring that Italy remains separate from Francia.
- Strengthening of East Francia → With the addition of Austrasia, Frisia, and Upper Burgundy, Louis the German’s realm grows significantly, consolidating the foundations of what will become Germany.
- Charles the Bald’s expansion into Burgundy → Although weaker than his brother, Charles now secures an Alpine route to Italy, a move that will later aid his imperial ambitions.
- Rise of Regional Power Struggles → The Carolingian rulers’ inability to maintain unity leads to increased feudal fragmentation, paving the way for the rise of independent duchies and local rulers.
Conclusion: The Carolingian Empire Moves Toward Disintegration
The Treaty of Meerssen (870) marks the last major territorial division of the Carolingian Empire, further weakening its imperial structure. With Lotharingia divided and contested, East and West Francia become separate political entities, setting the stage for the eventual formation of medieval France and Germany. Though nominally still part of the Carolingian realm, the empire continues to unravel, as Viking invasions, feudal decentralization, and dynastic disputes erode central authority.