On This Day

Louis III becomes King of West Francia

In medieval historiography, West Francia or the Kingdom of the West Franks constitutes the initial stage of the Kingdom of France and extends from the Treaty of Verdun in 843 to 987, the beginning of...

In medieval historiography, West Francia or the Kingdom of the West Franks constitutes the initial stage of the Kingdom of France and extends from the Treaty of Verdun in 843 to 987, the beginning of the Capetian dynasty. It was created from the division of the Carolingian Empire following the death of Louis the Pious, with its neighbor East Francia eventually evolving into the Kingdom of Germany.

Historical Significance

In medieval historiography, West Francia or the Kingdom of the West Franks constitutes the initial stage of the Kingdom of France and extends from the Treaty of Verdun in 843 to 987, the beginning of the Capetian dynasty.

Events Before

  1. John VIII elected as Catholic Pope

    John VIII elected as Catholic Pope

  2. Charles the Bald crowned emperor of Rome

    Charles the Bald (French: Charles le Chauve; 13 June 823 – 6 October 877) was a king of West Francia (843–77), king of Italy (875–77) and emperor of the Carolingian Empire (875–77).

  3. Battle at Andernach: East Frankish king Louis the Younger heavily defeats the West Frankish king Charles the Bald

    Louis the German (German: Ludwig der Deutsche; c. 806/810 – 28 August 876), also known as Louis II of Germany (German: Ludwig II.

  4. Alfred, King of Wessex, is surprised by a nighttime attack in Chippenham, by the Great Viking Army led by Guthrum the Da

    Alfred, King of Wessex, is surprised by a nighttime attack in Chippenham, by the Great Viking Army led by Guthrum the Dane. Alfred escapes into the Somerset marshes.

  5. Syracuse is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily

    Syracuse is a city and municipality, capital of the free municipal consortium of the same name, located in the autonomous region of Sicily in Southern Italy.

Events After

  1. Battle of Saucourt: French King Louis III defeats the Vikings

    Louis III (863/65 – 5 August 882) was King of West Francia from 879 until his death in 882.

  2. Marinus I begins his reign as Catholic Pope succeeding John VIII

    Marinus I begins his reign as Catholic Pope succeeding John VIII

  3. Marinus I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

    Marinus I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

  4. St Adrian III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    St Adrian III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

  5. The end of the Carolingian Empire: King Charles III resigns as Emperor after a revolt led by his nephew Arnulf, the empi

    The end of the Carolingian Empire: King Charles III resigns as Emperor after a revolt led by his nephew Arnulf, the empire is then split up

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 10, 879?
In medieval historiography, West Francia or the Kingdom of the West Franks constitutes the initial stage of the Kingdom of France and extends from the Treaty of Verdun in 843 to 987, the beginning of the Capetian dynasty. It was created from the division of the Carolingian Empire following the death of Louis the Pious, with its neighbor East Francia eventually evolving into the Kingdom of Germany.
Why is Louis III becomes King of West Francia significant?
In medieval historiography, West Francia or the Kingdom of the West Franks constitutes the initial stage of the Kingdom of France and extends from the Treaty of Verdun in 843 to 987, the beginning of the Capetian dynasty.

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