Charles de Lorraine I le Gros de basse

• Preferred Name: Charles de Lorraine I le Gros de basse^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}
  
• Alternate Name: de France
  
• Alternate Name: Charles Of Laon
  
• Alternate Name: Charles I le Gros de Basse-Lorraine
  
• Gender: M
  
• Birth: Sommer 0953 in Reims, Champagne, Frankreich at LATI: N9.2546 LONG: E0.0313
  
• Nickname:
  
• Burial: 21 MAY 992 in St. Servatius, Maastricht, Brabant, Niederlande at LATI: N0.8528 LONG: E0.7016
  
• Death: 12 JUN 991 in Orléans, Loiret, Centre, France at LATI: N7.9167 LONG: E0.0833
  
• http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: with note: Description: Prince of the Franks
  
• http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: "Duc de Basse-Lotharingie"
  
• FSID: LZLQ-664
  
• Notes:

  === Life Sketch ===
  Charles of France was the son of King Louis IV of France and his wife Gerberga of Saxony, daughter of King of East Francia Henry the Fowler. He was born the summer of 953 at Reims.
  
  Charles was the younger brother of King Lothair of France, he also had an older brother named Charles/Carloman born in 945 who died before he was born. Care should be taken not to confuse them. His other siblings were: Matilda, Hildegarde, Louis, Alberade, and Henry. Charles also had several older siblings from his mother's first marriage to Gilbert, Duke of Lorraine: Alberade of Lorraine; Henry, Duke of Lorraine; Gerberge of Lorraine, and Wiltrude.
  
  In 970 Charles married Adelaide of Troyes, daughter of Robert de Vermandois, Count of Troyes and Meaux. The children of Charles and Adelaide were:
  - Otto, succeeded as Duke of Lower Lotharingia
  - Ermengarde, who married Albert I, Count of Namur
  - Gerberga of Lower Lorraine (b. 975–1018), who married Lambert I, Count of Louvain
  - Louis (c. 989 – aft. 993)
  - Charles (b. 989)
  
  - Another daughter "Adelaide" was also named by Richer of Reims.
  
  In 976 Charles accused the wife of his brother, Queen Emma, of infidelity. Emma was absolved, but Charles maintained his claim was truthful and was therefore driven from the kingdom by his angry brother Lothair. He fled to the kingdom of his cousin Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor, and in 977 Otto made Charles Duke of Lower Lorraine (Lotharingia).
  
  The charge of infidelity would cause a lasting rift between the brothers and result in Charles being excluded from the line of succession to the throne. To assure his brother would never succeed, Lothair crowned his son, Prince Louis, as iunior rex, associated ruler or Junior King, on 8 June 979.
  
  Emperor Otto II died in 983 and shortly thereafter Charles reconciled with his brother King Lothair.
  
  King Lothair died in 986 and was succeeded by his son Louis V, who died in 987. Charles was the next blood heir to the throne, Lothair's legitimate sons were both dead. However, Charles claim to the throne of France was totally ignored, and Hugh Capet was made king.
  
  Charles left his oldest son Otto behind in Lotharingia as regent duke and made war on Hugh Capet. In his attempt to take the throne of France he was supported by Arnulf Archbishop of Reims, the illegitimate son of his brother Lothair. Charles took Rheims and Laon but was captured at Laon in late March 991 and imprisoned in Orléans. Richer of Reims, chief chronicler for the period, recorded in his "Historia congressus Gallorum" that Hugh Capet imprisoned not only Charles but also his wife Adelaide, son Louis, two daughters, Gerberga and Adelaidis, as well as his nephew Arnulfo"
  
  Charles died in Orleans on 22 June probably in the year 993, certainly before 995.
  
  It is not known exactly when Charles family was released from their imprisonment, Louis is known to have still been in custody in 993.
  
  Charles was succeeded as Duke of Lower Lorraine by his oldest son Otto.
  
  ------------------------------------
  
  Born at Reims in the summer of 953, Charles was the son of Louis IV of France and Gerberga of Saxony and the younger brother of King Lothair. He was a sixth generation descendant of Charlemagne. When his father was captured by the Normans and held, both his sons were demanded as ransom for his release. Queen Gerberga would only send Charles, who was then handed over and his father was released into the custody of Hugh Capet.
  
  In or before 976, he accused Lothair's wife, Emma, daughter of Lothair II of Italy, of infidelity with Adalberon, Bishop of Laon. The council of Sainte-Macre at Fismes (near Reims) exonerated the queen and the bishop, but Charles maintained his claim and was driven from the kingdom, finding refuge at the court of his cousin, Otto II. Otto promised to crown Charles as soon as Lothair was out of the way and Charles paid him homage, receiving back Lower Lorraine.
  
  In August 978, Lothair invaded Germany and captured the imperial capital of Aachen, but failed to capture either Otto or Charles. In October, Otto and Charles in turn invaded France, devastating the land around Reims, Soissons and Laon. In the latter city, the chief seat of the kings of France, Charles was crowned by Theodoric I, Bishop of Metz. Lothair fled to Paris and was there besieged. But a relief army of Hugh Capet's forced Otto and Charles to lift the siege on 30 November. Lothair and Capet, the tables turned once more, chased the German king and his liege back to Aachen and retook Laon.
  
  Around 979, Charles transferred the relics of Saint Gudula from Moorsel to the Saint Gaugericus chapel on Saint-Géry Island near Brussels. This is generally accepted as the time when the city was founded. Charles would construct the first permanent fortification in the city, doing so on that same island.
  
  As he had been a vassal also of Lothair, Charles's acts on behalf of Otto were considered treason and he was thereafter excluded from the throne. On Lothair's death (986), the magnates elected his son Louis V and on the latter's death (987), Hugh Capet. Thus, the House of Capet came to the throne over the disgraced and ignored Charles. Charles's unexceptional marriage and his lack of wealth are two of the reasons he was denied the throne. Charles made war on Hugh, even taking Rheims and Laon. However, on Maundy Thursday (26 March) 991, he was captured, through the perfidy of the Bishop Adalberon, and was imprisoned by Hugh in Orléans. He was succeeded as Duke of Lower Lorraine by his son Otto.
  
  There is uncertainty over the date and place of Charles's death. The necrology of the diocese of Liège dates Charles's death to 22 June without specifying the year. Sigebert of Gembloux records it under the year 991, but he may have confused it with his capture, since two documents of January 992 seem to imply that Charles was still alive. One was dated by a supporter to the fifth year of "Charles king in waiting" (sperante Karolo rege), the other is dated by Hugh's reign, "Charles being thrown in prison" (Karolo trusus in carcere). He must have been dead by 995, when Adalberon and Count Odo of Blois tried to install his son Louis on the throne. His death is sometimes placed in Orléans, but this is pure conjecture.
  
  The Historia Francorum Senonensis, written between 1015 and 1034, propagated the view that Charles was the rightful king in 987 and Hugh a usurper. In 1666, the lead sarcophagus of Charles was discovered in the Basilica of Saint Servatius in Maastricht with an inscription bearing the date 1001. This appears to be the date of his interment in Maastricht, however, and not of his death. Probably his son Otto had his body moved. While the sarcophagus remains, the original inscription has been lost.
  
  In 970 Charles married Adelaide of Troyes. Together he and Adelaide had:
  - Otto, succeeded as Duke of Lower Lotharingia
  - Ermengarde, who married Albert I, Count of Namur
  - Gerberga of Lower Lorraine (b. 975–1018), who married Lambert I, Count of Louvain
  - Louis (c. 989 – aft. 993)
  - Charles (b. 989)
  
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles,_Duke_of_Lower_Lorraine
  
  "Charles de Basse-Lotharingie, né à Laon durant l'été 953 et mort le 12 juin 991 à Orléans, est un prince carolingien, fils du roi Louis IV d'Outremer et de Gerberge de Saxe. Il fut duc de Basse-Lotharingie de 977 à 991 et prétendant au royaume des Francs de 987 à 991. On le nomme également Charles de Lorraine, bien que la Lorraine corresponde à la Haute-Lotharingie alors qu'il était duc de Basse-Lotharingie. Mais les ducs de Lorraine descendants des Carolingiens par son intermédiaire le considèrent comme duc de Lorraine à part entière afin d'apparaître comme les continuateurs des Carolingiens. D'ailleurs, les ducs prénommés Charles par la suite, se numérotent à partir de lui.
  
  En 1666, la sépulture de Charles est retrouvée dans la basilique Saint-Servais à Maastricht aux Pays-Bas. Il semble que sa dépouille y ait été inhumée seulement en 1001, ce qui conduit certains auteurs à considérer qu'il est mort à cette date.
  
  D'après Christian Settipani, il épouse en première noces vers 970 une fille de Robert de Vermandois, comte de Meaux et de Troyes.
  
  Il pourrait également être le père d'Ermengarde, épouse d'Albert Ier de Namur, mais selon Christian Settipani et Hervé Pinoteau, cette dernière serait la fille d'Otton30,31. "
  
  Avec l'Empereur Otton II, il envahit la France en 978. Ils ravagent Reims, Soisson et Laons. Lothaire doit s'enfuir et Charles est proclamé roi des Francs par l'évêque Thierry. Les deux alliés mettent le siège à Paris et se retrouvent face à l'armée de Hugues Capet. Ils doivent lever le siège et se réfugient à Aix-la-Chapelle.
  
  En 988, il s'empare de Laon, capitale des derniers rois Carolingiens. Hugues Capet parvient à le faire excommunier et assiège la ville. Charles réalise une sorte victorieuse et met les forces royales en déroute.
  À la fin de 988, il libère la reine Emma et en 989, lance une série d'offensives. Il s'empare de la forteresse royale de Montaigu, envahit le Soissonnais et se rapproche ainsi dangereusement de Reims.
  Le neveu de Charles, Arnoul, batard du roi Lothaire, est nommé archevêque de Reims. Il livre la ville à son oncle.
  
  En 990, Charles tient Laon et Reims. Il a le soutient des comtes de Vermandois, de Rethel, de Soissons, de Roucy et de Troyes. Le puissant comte Eude de Blois s'apprête à lui accorder son soutient.
  
  Alors que les deux camps s'apprêtent à s'affronter, Adalbéron de Laon fait croire à Charles qu'il veut rejoindre son camp. Il lui jure fidélité et, le 02 avril 991, ses hommes envahissent la chambre du roi en pleine nuit. Ils saisissent Charles, sa femme et ses enfants. Ils seront enfermés à Orléans où Charles décédera peu après.
  
  Charles de Basse-Lotharingie (953-991)
  Charles de Basse-Lotharingie, né à Laon durant l'été 953 et mort le 12 juin 991 à Orléans, est un prince carolingien, fils du roi Louis IV d'Outremer et de Gerberge de Saxe. Il fut duc de Basse-Lothar
  
  === !DUKE OF LOWER LORRAINE, MARRIED BOUNE, ===
  !DUKE OF LOWER LORRAINE, MARRIED BOUNE, DAUGHTER OF GODFREY, COUNT OF ARDENNES,
  MARRIED 2ND AGNES DAU OF HERIBERT OF VERMANDOIS, COUNT OF TROYES
  MARRIED ADELHIED PARENTAGE UNKNOWN.
  
  === ?? Line 6222: (New PAF RIN=4977) 1 NAME ===
  ?? Line 6222: (New PAF RIN=4977) 1 NAME Charles Prince Of The /FRANKS/ ?? Line 6223: (New PAF RIN=4977) 1 TITL [Duke of Lorraine]
  
  === Name Suffix: Duke or Lorraine Ance ===
  Name Suffix: Duke or Lorraine Ancestral File Number: 9GDD-8J 1 _UID 31B04DA605D79D419D2041ABE2F853FB5F9E 1 _UID 31B04DA605D79D419D2041ABE2F853FB5F9E
  
  === -Duke of Lower Lorraine. -While waging w ===
  -Duke of Lower Lorraine. -While waging war for the French throne, with his cousin Hugh Capet, he was taken prisoner and confined until his death. ---------------------------- References: 1) Blue 42, chart ("The Caroligians"). 2) Blue 43(a), page 188 3) Blue 43(d), page 1155

1. Adelheid von Nieder-Lotharingen, b. ABT 975 in Lorraine, France     d. AFT 1013 in Namur, Belgium
2. Gerberga Van Neder-Lotharingen, b. ABT 975 in Moselle, Lorraine, France     d. 27 JAN 1019 in Reims, Marne, Champagne-Ardenne, France

1. Title: Find A Grave
   Publication: Name: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117393193/charles-of_lower_lorraine;
   
2. Title: Wikipedia (D) - Karl von Niederlothringen
   Publication: Name: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_(Niederlothringen);
   
3. Title: Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine = Wikipedia
   Publication: Name: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles,_Duke_of_Lower_Lorraine;
   Note: Charles (953 – 22 June 992×995) was the Duke of Lower Lorraine from 977 until his death. Born at Reims in the summer of 953, Charles was the son of Louis IV of France and Gerberga of Saxony. In 970 Charles married Adelaide of Troyes. Together he and Adelaide had: Otto, succeeded as Duke of Lower Lotharingia Ermengarde, who married Albert I, Count of Namur Gerberga of Lower Lorraine (b. 975–1018), who married Lambert I, Count of Louvain Louis (c. 989–aft. 993) Charles (b. 989) Duke of Lower Lorraine (977–993)
   
4. Title: Findagrave
   Publication: Name: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11128/count-charles;
   
5. Title: Heinrich II, Count of Louvain, in The American Genealogist, Volume XXV, No. 4, pgs. 225, 226 and 227 [See document in the Memories section]
   Publication: Name: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/141644184;
   Note: Heinrich II, Count of Louvain, in The American Genealogist, Volume XXV, No. 4, pgs. 225, 226 and 227 [See document in the Memories section]
   Page: Heinrich II, Count of Louvain, in The American Genealogist, Volume XXV, No. 4, pgs. 225, 226 and 227 [See document in the Memories section]
   
6. Title: Charles, Duke of Lower Lotharingia, in the Foundation for Medieval Genealogy ~https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/LOTHARINGIA.htm#CharlesdukeLowerLothringiadied991 [See document in the Memories section]
   Publication: Name: https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/LOTHARINGIA.htm#CharlesdukeLowerLothringiadied991;
   Note: Charles, Duke of Lower Lotharingia, in the Foundation for Medieval Genealogy ~https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/LOTHARINGIA.htm#CharlesdukeLowerLothringiadied991 [See document in the Memories section]
   Page: Charles, Duke of Lower Lotharingia, in the Foundation for Medieval Genealogy ~https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/LOTHARINGIA.htm#CharlesdukeLowerLothringiadied991 [See document in the Memories section]
   
7. Title: Ancestry Family Trees
   Author: Ancestry Family Tree