Bernard, King of Lombardy

Find-a-Grave memorial #66394545, located at:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66394545/bernard-de_carolingian

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A3.B4.C1 Bernard ([797]-Milan 17 Aug 818, bur Milan, San Ambrosio). Thegan's Vita Hludowici Imperatoris names "Bernhardus filius Pippini ex concubina"[627]. He was confirmed 11 Sep 813 at Aix-la-Chapelle as BERNARD I King of Italy. http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ITALY,%20Kings%20to%20962.htm#Pepin...
- see Bernard's Descent Line Project WIP

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_of_Italy

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Louis the Pious sentenced him to "blinding" - the process of blinding carried out by means of pressing a red-hot stiletto to the eyeballs - proved so traumatic that Bernard died in agony two days after the procedure

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_of_Italy

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernardo_d%27Italia

http://genealogics.org/getperson.php?personID=I00020183&tree=LEO

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Bernard King of Italy was born out of wedlock about 797. He was the son of Pépin King of Italy and Lombardy and Chrothais. In 813 Bernard, married Cunigunde. Bernard  was crowned King of Italy in September 813. He revolted in July 817 when his uncle, Louis (I) the Pious who had succeeded Charlemagne as Emperor, proceeded to divide the empire among his sons, Bernhard's cousins. Bernhard doubtless felt that his father Pépin had been crowned King of Italy by Charlemagne and that he should follow his father as the full fledged King of Italy. Louis the Pious, however, had a different view of the situation. Seeing as Pépin had died before Charlemagne, Louis the Pious felt that as Charlemagne's heir, he was overall king or emperor; and that Bernhard was perhaps sort of a sub-king. Bernhard's revolt didn't work, and he was forced to submit to Louis in December 817, and he abdicated. He died on Tuesday, 17 April 818 in St. Amrosius, Milan, Italy. He was buried in Milan, Italy

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Bernard was the illegitimate son of King Pepin of Italy, the second legitimate son of the Emperor Charlemagne. In 810, Pepin died from an illness contracted at a siege of Venice; although Bernard was illegitimate, Charlemagne allowed him to inherit Italy. Bernard married Cunigunda of Laon in 813. They had one son, Pepin, Count of Vermandois.

Prior to 817, Bernard was a trusted agent of his grandfather, and of his uncle. His rights in Italy were respected, and he was used as an intermediary to manage events in his sphere of influence - for example, when in 815 Louis the Pious received reports that some Roman nobles had conspired to murder Pope Leo III, and that he had responded by butchering the ringleaders, Bernard was sent to investigate the matter.

A change came in 817, when Louis the Pious drew up an Ordinatio Imperii, detailing the future of the Frankish Empire. Under this, the bulk of the Frankish territory went to Louis' eldest son, Lothair; Bernard received no further territory, and although his Kingship of Italy was confirmed, he would be a vassal of Lothair. This was, it was later alleged, the work of the Empress, Ermengarde, who wished Bernard to be displaced in favour of her own sons. Resenting Louis' actions, Bernard began plotting with a group of magnates: Eggideo, Reginhard, and Reginhar, the last being the grandson of a Thuringian rebel against Charlemagne, Hardrad. Anshelm, Bishop of Milan and Theodulf, Bishop of Orléans, were also accused of being involved: there is no evidence either to support or contradict this in the case of Theodulf, whilst the case for Anshelm is murkier.[1][2]

Bernard's main complaint was the notion of his being a vassal of Lothair. In practical terms, his actual position had not been altered at all by the terms of the decree, and he could safely have continued to rule under such a system. Nonetheless, "partly true" reports came to Louis the Pious that his nephew was planning to set up an 'unlawful' - i.e. independent - regime in Italy.[1]

Louis the Pious reacted swiftly to the plot, marching south to Chalon. Bernard and his associates were taken by surprise; Bernard travelled to Chalon in an attempt to negotiate terms, but he and the ringleaders were forced to surrender to him. Louis had them taken to Aix-la-Chapelle, where they were tried and condemned to death. Louis 'mercifully' commuted their sentences to blinding, which would neutralize Bernard as a threat without actually killing him; however, the process of blinding (carried out by means of pressing a red-hot stiletto to the eyeballs) proved so traumatic that Bernard died in agony two days after the procedure was carried out. At the same time, Louis also had his half-brothers Drogo, Hugh and Theoderic tonsured and confined to monasteries, to prevent other Carolingian off-shoots challenging the main line. He also treated those guilty or suspected of conspiring with Bernard treated harshly: Theodulf of Orleans was imprisoned, and died soon afterwards; the lay conspirators were blinded, the clerics deposed and imprisoned; all lost lands and honours.[1][2][3]

[edit] LegacyHis Kingdom of Italy was reabsorbed into the Frankish empire, and soon after bestowed upon Louis' eldest son Lothair. In 822, Louis made a display of public penance at Attigny, where he confessed before all the court to having sinfully slain his nephew; he also welcomed his half-brothers back into his favour. These actions possibly stemmed from guilt over his part in Bernard's death. It has been argued by some historians that his behaviour left him open to clerical domination, and reduced his prestige and respect amongst the Frankish nobility.[1] Others, however, point out that Bernard's plot had been a serious threat to the stability of the kingdom, and the reaction no less a threat; Louis' display of penance, then, "was a well-judged gesture to restore harmony and re-establish his authority."

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Pepin was the second son of Charlemagne by his then-wife Hildegard.[1] He was born Carloman, but was rechristened with the royal name Pepin (also the name of his older half-brother Pepin the Hunchback, and his grandfather Pepin the Short) when he was a young child. He was made "king of Italy"[2] after his father's conquest of the Lombards, in 781, and crowned by Pope Hadrian I with the Iron Crown of Lombardy.

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Born: 797, Vermandois, Austrasia 1039
Married: 813 Died: 17 Apr 818, Milan, Italy 1038,1039 Buried: St Amrosius, Milan, Italy

  Ancestral File Number: 9G83-46.

General Notes:
He was the King of Italy. King of Italy 813-December 817.

Louis' brother Pepin was sub-king of Italy until his death in 810, and he was succeeded by his son Bernard (812-817). Louis, however, replaced Bernard with his own son Lothair (or Lothar; 817-855); Bernard revolted in 817 and Louis had him captured and blinded. Bernard died as a result of the blinding.

  Events:

1. Occupation. King of Italy (806-818)

  Marriage Information:

Bernard married Kunigunda DI PARMA Queen of Italy, daughter of Adelgis DI PARMA Conte di Parma and Unknown, in 813. (Kunigunda DI PARMA Queen of Italy was born about 797 in Parma, Italy and died after 15 Jun 835 1039,1040.) Parents: 1. Pépin (Pippin) I Carloman CAROLING King of Italy & Bertha DE TOULOUSE Queen of Italy 2. Pépin (Pippin) I Carloman CAROLING King of Italy & Ingletrude D' AUTUN Spouses/Children: Kunigunda DI PARMA Queen of Italy Pépin II DE ST. QUENTIN Count of Perronne & St-Quentin+

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Bernard (797, Vermandois, Picardy – 17 April 818, Milan, Lombardy) was the King of the Lombards from 810 to 818. He plotted against his uncle, Emperor Louis the Pious, when the latter's Ordinatio Imperii made Bernard a vassal of his cousin Lothair. When his plot was discovered, Louis had him blinded, a procedure which killed him.

Life[edit] Bernard was the illegitimate son of King Pepin of Italy, the second legitimate son of the Emperor Charlemagne. In 810, Pepin died from an illness contracted at a siege of Venice; although Bernard was illegitimate, Charlemagne allowed him to inherit Italy. Bernard married a woman named Cunigunde, but the year of their marriage, and her origins are obscure; spuriously she has been called "of Laon". They had one son, Pepin, Count of Vermandois.

Prior to 817, Bernard was a trusted agent of his grandfather, and of his uncle. His rights in Italy were respected, and he was used as an intermediary to manage events in his sphere of influence - for example, when in 815 Louis the Pious received reports that some Roman nobles had conspired to murder Pope Leo III, and that he had responded by butchering the ringleaders, Bernard was sent to investigate the matter.

A change came in 817, when Louis the Pious drew up an Ordinatio Imperii, detailing the future of the Frankish Empire. Under this, the bulk of the Frankish territory went to Louis' eldest son, Lothair; Bernard received no further territory, and although his Kingship of Italy was confirmed, he would be a vassal of Lothair. This was, it was later alleged, the work of the Empress, Ermengarde, who wished Bernard to be displaced in favour of her own sons. Resenting Louis' actions, Bernard began plotting with a group of magnates: Eggideo, Reginhard, and Reginhar, the last being the grandson of a Thuringian rebel against Charlemagne, Hardrad. Anshelm, Bishop of Milan and Theodulf, Bishop of Orléans, were also accused of being involved: there is no evidence either to support or contradict this in the case of Theodulf, whilst the case for Anshelm is murkier.[1][2]

Bernard's main complaint was the notion of his being a vassal of Lothair. In practical terms, his actual position had not been altered at all by the terms of the decree, and he could safely have continued to rule under such a system. Nonetheless, "partly true" reports came to Louis the Pious that his nephew was planning to set up an 'unlawful' - i.e. independent - regime in Italy.[1]

Louis the Pious reacted swiftly to the plot, marching south to Chalon. Bernard and his associates were taken by surprise; Bernard travelled to Chalon in an attempt to negotiate terms, but he and the ringleaders were forced to surrender to him. Louis had them taken to Aix-la-Chapelle, where they were tried and condemned to death. Louis 'mercifully' commuted their sentences to blinding, which would neutralize Bernard as a threat without actually killing him; however, the process of blinding (carried out by means of pressing a red-hot stiletto to the eyeballs) proved so traumatic that Bernard died in agony two days after the procedure was carried out. At the same time, Louis also had his half-brothers Drogo, Hugh and Theoderic tonsured and confined to monasteries, to prevent other Carolingian off-shoots challenging the main line. He also treated those guilty or suspected of conspiring with Bernard harshly: Theodulf of Orleans was imprisoned, and died soon afterwards; the lay conspirators were blinded, the clerics deposed and imprisoned; all lost lands and honours.[1][2][3]

Legacy[edit] His Kingdom of Italy was reabsorbed into the Frankish empire, and soon after bestowed upon Louis' eldest son Lothair. In 822, Louis made a display of public penance at Attigny, where he confessed before all the court to having sinfully slain his nephew; he also welcomed his half-brothers back into his favour. These actions possibly stemmed from guilt over his part in Bernard's death. It has been argued by some historians that his behaviour left him open to clerical domination, and reduced his prestige and respect amongst the Frankish nobility.[1] Others, however, point out that Bernard's plot had been a serious threat to the stability of the kingdom, and the reaction no less a threat; Louis' display of penance, then, "was a well-judged gesture to restore harmony and re-establish his authority."[3]

References[edit] ^ Jump up to: a b c d McKitterick, Rosamond, The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians ^ Jump up to: a b Riché, Pierre, The Carolingians, p. 148 ^ Jump up to: a b McKitterick, Rosamond, The New Cambridge History, 700-900 Sources[edit] McKitterick, Rosamond, The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians Riché, Pierre, The Carolingians McKitterick, Rosamond, The New Cambridge History, 700-900 Bernard of Italy Carolingian dynasty Died: 17 April 818 Regnal titles Preceded by Pepin Carloman King of the Lombards 8 July 810 – 17 April 818 with Charlemagne as King of the Lombards (810–814) Succeeded by Lothair I [show] v t e Kings of Italy between 476 and 963

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http://www.our-royal-titled-noble-and-commoner-ancestors.com/p297.h...

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_of_Italy

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Bernard of Italy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bernard

King of the Lombards

17th century commemorative fresco from Bernard's grave in Milan, Italy.

Reign

810–818

Born

797

Birthplace

Vermandois, Picardy, France

Died

17 April 818

Place of death

Aachen, Rhineland, Germany

Buried

Milan, Lombardy, Italy

Predecessor

Pepin Carloman

Successor

Lothair I

Consort

Cunigunda of Laon

Offspring

Pepin, Count of Vermandois

Royal House

Carolingian

Father

Pepin Carloman

Bernard (797, Vermandois, Picardy – 17 April 818, Milan, Lombardy) was the King of the Lombards from 810 to 818. He plotted against his uncle, Emperor Louis the Pious, when the latter's Ordinatio Imperii made Bernard a vassal of his cousin Lothair. When his plot was discovered, Louis had him blinded, a procedure which killed him.

Contents

 [hide]  1 Life

2 Legacy

3 References

4 Sources

[edit] Life

Bernard was the illegitimate son of King Pepin of Italy, the second legitimate son of the Emperor Charlemagne. In 810, Pepin died from an illness contracted at a siege of Venice; although Bernard was illegitimate, Charlemagne allowed him to inherit Italy. Bernard married Cunigunda of Laon in 813. They had one son, Pepin, Count of Vermandois.

Prior to 817, Bernard was a trusted agent of his grandfather, and of his uncle. His rights in Italy were respected, and he was used as an intermediary to manage events in his sphere of influence - for example, when in 815 Louis the Pious received reports that some Roman nobles had conspired to murder Pope Leo III, and that he had responded by butchering the ringleaders, Bernard was sent to investigate the matter.

A change came in 817, when Louis the Pious drew up an Ordinatio Imperii, detailing the future of the Frankish Empire. Under this, the bulk of the Frankish territory went to Louis' eldest son, Lothair; Bernard received no further territory, and although his Kingship of Italy was confirmed, he would be a vassal of Lothair. This was, it was later alleged, the work of the Empress, Ermengarde, who wished Bernard to be displaced in favour of her own sons. Resenting Louis' actions, Bernard began plotting with a group of magnates: Eggideo, Reginhard, and Reginhar, the last being the grandson of a Thuringian rebel against Charlemagne, Hardrad. Anshelm, Bishop of Milan and Theodulf, Bishop of Orléans, were also accused of being involved: there is no evidence either to support or contradict this in the case of Theodulf, whilst the case for Anshelm is murkier.[1][2]

Bernard's main complaint was the notion of his being a vassal of Lothair. In practical terms, his actual position had not been altered at all by the terms of the decree, and he could safely have continued to rule under such a system. Nonetheless, "partly true" reports came to Louis the Pious that his nephew was planning to set up an 'unlawful' - i.e. independent - regime in Italy.[1]

Louis the Pious reacted swiftly to the plot, marching south to Chalon. Bernard and his associates were taken by surprise; Bernard travelled to Chalon in an attempt to negotiate terms, but he and the ringleaders were forced to surrender to him. Louis had them taken to Aix-la-Chapelle, where they were tried and condemned to death. Louis 'mercifully' commuted their sentences to blinding, which would neutralize Bernard as a threat without actually killing him; however, the process of blinding (carried out by means of pressing a red-hot stiletto to the eyeballs) proved so traumatic that Bernard died in agony two days after the procedure was carried out. At the same time, Louis also had his half-brothers Drogo, Hugh and Theoderic tonsured and confined to monasteries, to prevent other Carolingian off-shoots challenging the main line. He also treated those guilty or suspected of conspiring with Bernard treated harshly: Theodulf of Orleans was imprisoned, and died soon afterwards; the lay conspirators were blinded, the clerics deposed and imprisoned; all lost lands and honours.[1][2][3]

[edit] Legacy

His Kingdom of Italy was reabsorbed into the Frankish empire, and soon after bestowed upon Louis' eldest son Lothair. In 822, Louis made a display of public penance at Attigny, where he confessed before all the court to having sinfully slain his nephew; he also welcomed his half-brothers back into his favour. These actions possibly stemmed from guilt over his part in Bernard's death. It has been argued by some historians that his behaviour left him open to clerical domination, and reduced his prestige and respect amongst the Frankish nobility.[1] Others, however, point out that Bernard's plot had been a serious threat to the stability of the kingdom, and the reaction no less a threat; Louis' display of penance, then, "was a well-judged gesture to restore harmony and re-establish his authority."[3]

[edit] References

1.^ a b c d McKitterick, Rosamond, The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians

2.^ a b Riche, Pierre, The Carolingians, p. 148

3.^ a b McKitterick, Rosamond, The New Cambridge History, 700-900

[edit] Sources

McKitterick, Rosamond, The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians

Riche, Pierre, The Carolingians

McKitterick, Rosamond, The New Cambridge History, 700-900

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Alternative data from merges: Born Vermandois Austrasia; Born Vermandois Neustria

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Louis the Pious sentenced him to "blinding" - the process of blinding carried out by means of pressing a red-hot stiletto to the eyeballs - proved so traumatic that Bernard died in agony two days after the procedure

Bernard King of Italy was born out of wedlock about 797. He was the son of Pépin King of Italy and Lombardy and Chrothais. In 813 Bernard, married Cunigunde. Bernard was crowned King of Italy in September 813. He revolted in July 817 when his uncle, Louis (I) the Pious who had succeeded Charlemagne as Emperor, proceeded to divide the empire among his sons, Bernhard's cousins. Bernhard doubtless felt that his father Pépin had been crowned King of Italy by Charlemagne and that he should follow his father as the full fledged King of Italy. Louis the Pious, however, had a different view of the situation. Seeing as Pépin had died before Charlemagne, Louis the Pious felt that as Charlemagne's heir, he was overall king or emperor; and that Bernhard was perhaps sort of a sub-king. Bernhard's revolt didn't work, and he was forced to submit to Louis in December 817, and he abdicated. He died on Tuesday, 17 April 818 in St. Amrosius, Milan, Italy. He was buried in Milan, Italy

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Bernard was the illegitimate son of King Pepin of Italy, the second legitimate son of the Emperor Charlemagne. In 810, Pepin died from an illness contracted at a siege of Venice; although Bernard was illegitimate, Charlemagne allowed him to inherit Italy. Bernard married Cunigunda of Laon in 813. They had one son, Pepin, Count of Vermandois.

Prior to 817, Bernard was a trusted agent of his grandfather, and of his uncle. His rights in Italy were respected, and he was used as an intermediary to manage events in his sphere of influence - for example, when in 815 Louis the Pious received reports that some Roman nobles had conspired to murder Pope Leo III, and that he had responded by butchering the ringleaders, Bernard was sent to investigate the matter.

A change came in 817, when Louis the Pious drew up an Ordinatio Imperii, detailing the future of the Frankish Empire. Under this, the bulk of the Frankish territory went to Louis' eldest son, Lothair; Bernard received no further territory, and although his Kingship of Italy was confirmed, he would be a vassal of Lothair. This was, it was later alleged, the work of the Empress, Ermengarde, who wished Bernard to be displaced in favour of her own sons. Resenting Louis' actions, Bernard began plotting with a group of magnates: Eggideo, Reginhard, and Reginhar, the last being the grandson of a Thuringian rebel against Charlemagne, Hardrad. Anshelm, Bishop of Milan and Theodulf, Bishop of Orléans, were also accused of being involved: there is no evidence either to support or contradict this in the case of Theodulf, whilst the case for Anshelm is murkier.[1][2]

Bernard's main complaint was the notion of his being a vassal of Lothair. In practical terms, his actual position had not been altered at all by the terms of the decree, and he could safely have continued to rule under such a system. Nonetheless, "partly true" reports came to Louis the Pious that his nephew was planning to set up an 'unlawful' - i.e. independent - regime in Italy.[1]

Louis the Pious reacted swiftly to the plot, marching south to Chalon. Bernard and his associates were taken by surprise; Bernard travelled to Chalon in an attempt to negotiate terms, but he and the ringleaders were forced to surrender to him. Louis had them taken to Aix-la-Chapelle, where they were tried and condemned to death. Louis 'mercifully' commuted their sentences to blinding, which would neutralize Bernard as a threat without actually killing him; however, the process of blinding (carried out by means of pressing a red-hot stiletto to the eyeballs) proved so traumatic that Bernard died in agony two days after the procedure was carried out. At the same time, Louis also had his half-brothers Drogo, Hugh and Theoderic tonsured and confined to monasteries, to prevent other Carolingian off-shoots challenging the main line. He also treated those guilty or suspected of conspiring with Bernard treated harshly: Theodulf of Orleans was imprisoned, and died soon afterwards; the lay conspirators were blinded, the clerics deposed and imprisoned; all lost lands and honours.[1][2][3]

[edit] LegacyHis Kingdom of Italy was reabsorbed into the Frankish empire, and soon after bestowed upon Louis' eldest son Lothair. In 822, Louis made a display of public penance at Attigny, where he confessed before all the court to having sinfully slain his nephew; he also welcomed his half-brothers back into his favour. These actions possibly stemmed from guilt over his part in Bernard's death. It has been argued by some historians that his behaviour left him open to clerical domination, and reduced his prestige and respect amongst the Frankish nobility.[1] Others, however, point out that Bernard's plot had been a serious threat to the stability of the kingdom, and the reaction no less a threat; Louis' display of penance, then, "was a well-judged gesture to restore harmony and re-establish his authority."

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Pepin was the second son of Charlemagne by his then-wife Hildegard.[1] He was born Carloman, but was rechristened with the royal name Pepin (also the name of his older half-brother Pepin the Hunchback, and his grandfather Pepin the Short) when he was a young child. He was made "king of Italy"[2] after his father's conquest of the Lombards, in 781, and crowned by Pope Hadrian I with the Iron Crown of Lombardy. -------------------- http://www.celtic-casimir.com/webtree/3/3044.htm Born: 797, Vermandois, Austrasia 1039 Married: 813 Died: 17 Apr 818, Milan, Italy 1038,1039 Buried: St Amrosius, Milan, Italy

Ancestral File Number: 9G83-46. General Notes: He was the King of Italy. King of Italy 813-December 817.

Louis' brother Pepin was sub-king of Italy until his death in 810, and he was succeeded by his son Bernard (812-817). Louis, however, replaced Bernard with his own son Lothair (or Lothar; 817-855); Bernard revolted in 817 and Louis had him captured and blinded. Bernard died as a result of the blinding.

Events: 1. Occupation. King of Italy (806-818)

Marriage Information: Bernard married Kunigunda DI PARMA Queen of Italy, daughter of Adelgis DI PARMA Conte di Parma and Unknown, in 813. (Kunigunda DI PARMA Queen of Italy was born about 797 in Parma, Italy and died after 15 Jun 835 1039,1040.) Parents: 1. Pépin (Pippin) I Carloman CAROLING King of Italy & Bertha DE TOULOUSE Queen of Italy 2. Pépin (Pippin) I Carloman CAROLING King of Italy & Ingletrude D' AUTUN Spouses/Children: Kunigunda DI PARMA Queen of Italy Pépin II DE ST. QUENTIN Count of Perronne & St-Quentin+ -------------------- Bernard (797, Vermandois, Picardy – 17 April 818, Milan, Lombardy) was the King of the Lombards from 810 to 818. He plotted against his uncle, Emperor Louis the Pious, when the latter's Ordinatio Imperii made Bernard a vassal of his cousin Lothair. When his plot was discovered, Louis had him blinded, a procedure which killed him.

Life[edit] Bernard was the illegitimate son of King Pepin of Italy, the second legitimate son of the Emperor Charlemagne. In 810, Pepin died from an illness contracted at a siege of Venice; although Bernard was illegitimate, Charlemagne allowed him to inherit Italy. Bernard married a woman named Cunigunde, but the year of their marriage, and her origins are obscure; spuriously she has been called "of Laon". They had one son, Pepin, Count of Vermandois.

Prior to 817, Bernard was a trusted agent of his grandfather, and of his uncle. His rights in Italy were respected, and he was used as an intermediary to manage events in his sphere of influence - for example, when in 815 Louis the Pious received reports that some Roman nobles had conspired to murder Pope Leo III, and that he had responded by butchering the ringleaders, Bernard was sent to investigate the matter.

A change came in 817, when Louis the Pious drew up an Ordinatio Imperii, detailing the future of the Frankish Empire. Under this, the bulk of the Frankish territory went to Louis' eldest son, Lothair; Bernard received no further territory, and although his Kingship of Italy was confirmed, he would be a vassal of Lothair. This was, it was later alleged, the work of the Empress, Ermengarde, who wished Bernard to be displaced in favour of her own sons. Resenting Louis' actions, Bernard began plotting with a group of magnates: Eggideo, Reginhard, and Reginhar, the last being the grandson of a Thuringian rebel against Charlemagne, Hardrad. Anshelm, Bishop of Milan and Theodulf, Bishop of Orléans, were also accused of being involved: there is no evidence either to support or contradict this in the case of Theodulf, whilst the case for Anshelm is murkier.[1][2]

Bernard's main complaint was the notion of his being a vassal of Lothair. In practical terms, his actual position had not been altered at all by the terms of the decree, and he could safely have continued to rule under such a system. Nonetheless, "partly true" reports came to Louis the Pious that his nephew was planning to set up an 'unlawful' - i.e. independent - regime in Italy.[1]

Louis the Pious reacted swiftly to the plot, marching south to Chalon. Bernard and his associates were taken by surprise; Bernard travelled to Chalon in an attempt to negotiate terms, but he and the ringleaders were forced to surrender to him. Louis had them taken to Aix-la-Chapelle, where they were tried and condemned to death. Louis 'mercifully' commuted their sentences to blinding, which would neutralize Bernard as a threat without actually killing him; however, the process of blinding (carried out by means of pressing a red-hot stiletto to the eyeballs) proved so traumatic that Bernard died in agony two days after the procedure was carried out. At the same time, Louis also had his half-brothers Drogo, Hugh and Theoderic tonsured and confined to monasteries, to prevent other Carolingian off-shoots challenging the main line. He also treated those guilty or suspected of conspiring with Bernard harshly: Theodulf of Orleans was imprisoned, and died soon afterwards; the lay conspirators were blinded, the clerics deposed and imprisoned; all lost lands and honours.[1][2][3]

Legacy[edit] His Kingdom of Italy was reabsorbed into the Frankish empire, and soon after bestowed upon Louis' eldest son Lothair. In 822, Louis made a display of public penance at Attigny, where he confessed before all the court to having sinfully slain his nephew; he also welcomed his half-brothers back into his favour. These actions possibly stemmed from guilt over his part in Bernard's death. It has been argued by some historians that his behaviour left him open to clerical domination, and reduced his prestige and respect amongst the Frankish nobility.[1] Others, however, point out that Bernard's plot had been a serious threat to the stability of the kingdom, and the reaction no less a threat; Louis' display of penance, then, "was a well-judged gesture to restore harmony and re-establish his authority."[3]

References[edit] ^ Jump up to: a b c d McKitterick, Rosamond, The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians ^ Jump up to: a b Riché, Pierre, The Carolingians, p. 148 ^ Jump up to: a b McKitterick, Rosamond, The New Cambridge History, 700-900 Sources[edit] McKitterick, Rosamond, The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians Riché, Pierre, The Carolingians McKitterick, Rosamond, The New Cambridge History, 700-900 Bernard of Italy Carolingian dynasty Died: 17 April 818 Regnal titles Preceded by Pepin Carloman King of the Lombards 8 July 810 – 17 April 818 with Charlemagne as King of the Lombards (810–814) Succeeded by Lothair I [show] v t e Kings of Italy between 476 and 963

Konge av Langobard, Italia

Bernard var uekte sønn av kong Pepin av Italia, den andre legitime sønn av keiser Karl den store. I 810, Faren Pepin døde av sykdom på en beleiring av Venezia. Selv om Bernard var uekte tillot berstefaren Charlemagne han å arve Italia. Bernard giftet seg med en kvinne som het Cunigunde, Hennes opprinnelse er uklar men hun har blitt "Laon". De hadde en sønn, Pepin, Greve av Vermandois.

Før 817 var Bernard var en betrodd agent for sin bestefar, og hans onkel. Dens rettigheter i Italia ble respektert, og han ble brukt som et mellomledd for å håndtere hendelser i sin innflytelsessfære - for eksempel i 1815 når Ludvig den fromme mottok rapporter om at noen av den romerske adelen konspirerte for å drepe pave Leo III, og at han svarte med å slakte lederne, ble Bernard sendt for å undersøke saken.

De ble forandring på dette i 817, da Ludvig den fromme trakk opp en plan for fremtiden Frankerriket, og mesteparten av territoriet gikk til Louis 'eldste sønn, Lothair; Bernard fikk ikke lenger territorium, og selv om hans kongedømme i Italia ble bekreftet, ville han være en vasallstat av Lothair. Dette var et verk av keiserinne, Ermengarde, som ønsket at Bernard skullefortrenges til fordel for sine egne sønner.

Bernard dannet et komplott og hans viktigste klage var tanken på at han skulle drive en vasallstat under Lothair. I praksis hadde hans faktiske posisjon ikke endret i det hele tatt op grunn av vilkårene i resolusjon, og han kunne sikkert ha fortsatt å styre under et slikt system. Likevel, "delvis sanne" rapporter kom til Ludvig den fromme om at hans nevø var planer om å sette opp et "ulovlig" - dvs. uavhengig -. regimet i Italia

Ludvig den fromme reagerte raskt på komplottet, marsjerte sørover til Chalon. Bernard og hans medarbeidere ble tatt med overraskelse; Bernard reiste til Chalon i et forsøk på å forhandle, men han og hans menn ble tvunget til å overgi seg. Ludvig tok dem til Aix-la-Chapelle, hvor de ble dømt til døden. Ludvig gjorde om dommen til blinding, noe som ville nøytralisere Bernard som en trussel uten faktisk å drepe ham; Men prosessen med blinding (utføres ved hjelp av å trykke på en rødglødende stiletto til øyeepler) vist seg så traumatisk at Bernard døde med store smerter to dager etter inngrepet ble utført.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_of_Italy

https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernhard_av_Italien