When Louis the Pious (Charlemagne’s son and successor) took over the empire, he implemented some changes in the hopes of keeping the empire united. The pope crowned his first wife Ermengard as empress in 816. Then in 817, Lothar (first-born son) was made emperor and co-ruler with his father. Pippin and Louis the German, their other two sons, were named subkings. Louis instituted this process so if any son die, only the firstborn could legitimately take the throne. Unfortunately, things changed after Ermengard died. Louis married Judith and they
When Louis the Pious (Charlemagne’s son and successor) took over the empire, he implemented some changes in the hopes of keeping the empire united. The pope crowned his first wife Ermengard as empress in 816. Then in 817, Lothar (first-born son) was made emperor and co-ruler with his father. Pippin and Louis the German, their other two sons, were named subkings. Louis instituted this process so if any son die, only the firstborn could legitimately take the throne. Unfortunately, things changed after Ermengard died. Louis married Judith and they