Königsnähe and Rebellion in the Ninth Century

Königsnähe and Rebellion in the Ninth Century

Session: Carolingian Studies: Secular Culture II

By Cullen J. Chandler, Lycoming College

This paper discussed Königsnähe (proximity/closeness to the King) and the reasons aristocratic rebellion during the 9th century. This paper argues a different view of why magnates rebelled against their King and examines the revolts of the late ninth century.

In the 9th century, the aristocracy took up arms in rebellion against Kings to ensure their interests were met. This was part of secular aristocratic behaviour. In the late 870′s, there were attempts by magnates to overthrow Charles the Bald. The prevailing thought has been that government was completely reliant on powerful people who became increasingly independent as the 9th century wore on with the rise of territorial aristocrats asserting their independence. There is another line of thought to this: the aristocracy rebelled not to be independent but to assert their closeness to the King (Königsnähe). This is apparent in the reign of Charles the Bald. He encountered many difficulties during his reign.

Why did these men revolt? The paper postulates that these magnates were playing both sides. There were revolts in 858 and 866 by west-Frankish aristocracy. Was Charles’s quest for empire in 875 Königsnähe? Bernard “Hairy Paws” started his career on Charles’s bad side, lost Charles’ patronage but then gained patronage with Lothar. In 875, another magnate, Engleram incited Louis the German to invade (he had fallen out of favour with Charles the Bald). Did he too seek patronage elsewhere? When Carloman (son of Louis the German) threatened to invade, the Aquitanian magnates did not come to Charles’ aid. Charles expected loyalty from these men – why did they not come to his aid? Most magnates were loyal but the struggles of the 870′s and 880′s caused confusion amongst them. The rivalry amongst nobles, (brothers, fathers, uncles etc…) was to increase their status and access to the court and King through rebellion.