The Creation of Lotharingia (855): Emperor Lothair I’s Final Act

In 855, Emperor Lothair I, ruler of Middle Francia, decides to divide his kingdom among his sons before abdicating and retiring to the monastery of Prüm, where he dies soon after. His decision permanently fragments the Middle Kingdom, creating new political entities that will shape the future of medieval Europe.

The Division of Middle Francia

Lothair I's empire is split among his three sons:

1. Louis II → Receives Italy, inheriting the imperial title and the crown of Lombardy.
2. Lothair II → Inherits the northern part of Middle Francia, including Alsace-Lorraine and much of the present-day Low Countries.
3. Charles of Provence → Takes control of Provence, which extends from Burgundy to the Mediterranean coast.

The Birth of Lotharingia

• The realm of Lothair II comes to be known as Lotharingia, named after him.
• It stretches from the North Sea to the Alps, including key territories such as:
  • Frisia (modern Belgium and the Netherlands).
  • Alsace-Lorraine (a contested region between France and Germany for centuries).
  • Burgundy and Upper Lorraine.
• Unlike West Francia (France) and East Francia (Germany), which develop into stable medieval kingdoms, Lotharingia remains politically unstable, frequently contested by France and Germany.

The Significance of Lotharingia

• A Kingdom Without a Lasting Identity → While West and East Francia gradually evolve into France and Germany, Lotharingia becomes a battleground, torn between rival Carolingian and later Holy Roman Empire factions.
• The Root of Franco-German Rivalry → The division of Lotharingia sets the stage for centuries of territorial disputes over Alsace-Lorraine and the Low Countries.
• Eventual Absorption → After Lothair II's death in 869, Lotharingia is partitioned between West Francia and East Francia, ensuring that the region remains divided and contested for generations.

Thus, Lotharingia, born from Lothair I’s abdication, becomes a short-lived but historically significant kingdom, shaping the political geography of medieval Europe and fueling future conflicts between France and the Holy Roman Empire.