The Second Rebellion Against Otto I and the West Frankish Involvement (c. 939)

Following his initial reconciliation with Otto I, Eberhard of Franconia begins planning a second rebellion, seeking to dethrone Otto and replace him with his younger brother, Henry. This revolt sparks a wider conflict by drawing in King Louis IV of West Francia and his vassal, Gilbert, Duke of Lorraine, leading to a major confrontation between East and West Francia.

Eberhard’s Second Rebellion Against Otto I

• Eberhard, Duke of Franconia, once a loyal supporter of Otto I, becomes disillusioned with Otto’s rule and begins conspiring to place Henry, Otto’s younger brother, on the throne.
• To strengthen his cause, Eberhard allies with Gilbert, Duke of Lorraine, who is married to Otto’s sister, Gerberga of Saxony, but has sworn fealty to King Louis IV of West Francia.
• Henry, Otto’s brother, is exiled from Germany and flees to the court of Louis IV, who sees this as an opportunity to reclaim Lorraine, which had been lost to East Francia in 925.

West Francia Enters the Conflict

• Louis IV of West Francia joins the rebellion, hoping to restore his control over Lorraine, which had been ruled by East Francia since Henry the Fowler’s conquest.
• With Henry and Gilbert now leading a pro-Carolingian faction in Lorraine, Otto seeks support from Hugh the Great, Count of Paris, who is both:
  • The most powerful noble in West Francia.
  • Otto’s brother-in-law, as he is married to Otto’s sister, Hedwige.

The Campaign: A Two-Front War

1. Henry Captures Merseburg and Plans to Join Gilbert in Lorraine

   • Otto’s exiled brother, Henry, leads an army to capture Merseburg, a strategic fortress in Saxony.
   • He then plans to merge forces with Gilbert in Lorraine, creating a unified front against Otto.

2. Otto Besieges Henry and Gilbert at Chevremont (Near Liège)

   • Before Henry and Gilbert can join forces, Otto moves quickly to besiege them at Chevremont near Liège.
   • If successful, Otto could crush the rebellion before it fully materializes.

3. Louis IV Seizes Verdun, Forcing Otto to Shift Focus

   • While Otto is occupied at Chevremont, Louis IV marches into Lorraine and captures Verdun, further solidifying his control over contested territory.
   • This forces Otto to abandon the siege of Chevremont and turn his army against Louis IV, opening up a new phase in the war.