Charles III "the Simple" of France (17 September 879-7 October 929) was King of France from 898 to 922, succeeding Odo of France and preceding Robert I of France, and later King of Lotharingia from 911 to 923, succeeding Louis the Child and preceding Gilbert of Lorraine.
Biography[]
Charles the Simple was born on 17 September 879, the third son of Louis the Stammerer and Adelaide of Paris. The nobles of the realm asked his cousin Charles the Fat to rule France when his half-brother Carloman of France died in 884, and the unpopular Charles would be succeeded by the old Count of Paris, Odo of France, on his deposition in 887. Charles the Simple would finally be crowned King of France in 893 at Reims Cathedral by nobles in opposition to Odo, and he became king on his death in 898. On 26 August 911, he defeated Rollo at Chartres, repelling his assault on Paris; Charles decided to allow Rollo and the Vikings to settle between Epte and Brittany as Christians, and the land became known as "Normandy", meaning "land of the northmen". In 911, the death of Louis the Child of Lotharingia allowed for Charles to become king there as well, and in 919 he married Eadgifu of Wessex. His son with her would be the future Louis IV of France.
Eventually, Charles' favoritism towards his courtier Hagano (whom he granted several monasteries that were owned by other nobles) led to the nobles revolting against him in 920. He was captured by their leader, Robert of Neustria, but he was freed; he led the Normans against Robert on 15 July 923, losing the Battle of Soissons, but killing Robert in the process. Robert's son-in-law Rudolph of Burgundy took over the rebellion and recaptured Charles, who died in captivity in 929.
| King of West Francia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Odo of France |
898 - 922 | Succeeded by: Robert I of France |