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  • 810-818: King of Italy
  • 818: Rebellion and Murder

Biography

Bernard Carolingian of Italy, King of the Lombards, was born 797 in Vermandois to Pepin of Italy (773-810) and Ingeltrude (?-?) and died 17 April 818 Chalon of Trauma from blinding. He married Cunigunda of Laon (c797-) 816 JL .

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Bernard of Italy was a member of the Carolingian dynasty, which ruled over much of Europe during the early Middle Ages. He was the grandson of Charlemagne, the famous Frankish king who conquered much of Western Europe and became the first Holy Roman Emperor.

Bernard was born in 797 to King Pepin of Italy, who was the son of Charlemagne. He was educated at the court of his grandfather in Aachen, where he likely received a classical education and learned Latin. In 810, Charlemagne designated Bernard as his heir in Italy, but this was later changed in 813 to his own son, Louis the Pious.

818 Rebellion and Death

In 817, Louis the Pious drew the 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, as he had been to Louis and to Charles.[1] Certain of his counselors, including Count Eggideo, and his chamberlain Reginhard, persuaded Bernard that arrangement threatened his position. Other names were Reginhar, the last being the grandson of a Thuringian rebel against Charlemagne, and 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.[2][3]

Prior to this, Bernard's relationship with his uncle appears to have been cooperative.[1] 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.[2]

Louis the Pious reacted swiftly to the plot, marching south to Chalon. Bernard (age 21) 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 Louis, who had them taken to Aachen 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 offshoots 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.[2][3][4]

Legacy

9705 - Milano - S. Ambrogio - Tesoro - Tomba di Bernardo & arc

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

During his brief reign, Bernard faced a number of challenges, including a rebellion in Benevento and a revolt by the Byzantine Empire in southern Italy. He was also faced with the task of maintaining control over a region that was becoming increasingly fragmented and difficult to govern.

Bernard was known for his piety and his support for the Church. He was a patron of the arts and commissioned a number of manuscripts and works of art during his reign. He also helped to spread Christianity throughout Italy by building churches and supporting missionary work.

Despite his short reign, he played an important role in the history of the Carolingian dynasty and in the development of Italy during the early Middle Ages.


Family

Bernard married a woman named Cunigunda of Laon (c797-) (also spelled as Cunegonde or Kunigund), but the year of their marriage, and her origins, are obscure. Some sources refer to her as "of Laon". They had one son, Pepin, Count of Vermandois, who was born in 817.



Children


Offspring of King Bernard of Italy and Cunigunda of Laon (c797-)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Pepin de Vermandois (c815-aft848) 815



Siblings


Offspring of Pepin of Italy (773-810) and Ingeltrude (c780-)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Bernard of Italy (797-818) 797 Vermandois 17 April 818 Chalon Cunigunda of Laon (c797-)
Adelaide of Italy (?-?) Lambert I de Nantes (-c836)
Adula of Italy (?-?)
Goundrade of Italy (?-?)
Berthe of Italy (?-?)
Theodrade of Italy (?-?) Lambert II de Nantes (-852)


Vital Records

Tomb in Italy

Bernardg-I
Bernardn-I

See Also

Ancestry Trees

External Links

Contemporary Sources

King Bernard of Italy (also known as Bernard of Septimania) lived during the 9th century, and there are several contemporary sources that can provide insight into his life.

  1. The Annales Bertiniani (Annals of Saint Bertin), would be The most important contemporary source of his life. It is a chronicle of events that covers the period from the year 830 to 882. The Annales Bertiniani contains a number of references to Bernard's activities in Italy, including his appointment as king of Italy in 875 and his subsequent conflicts with the Holy Roman Emperor Charles the Bald.
  2. Chronicon Salernitanum (Salerno Chronicle), which was written in the 10th century but is based on earlier sources. The Chronicon Salernitanum covers the period from the Roman Empire to the 10th century and contains information about Bernard's campaigns in southern Italy.
  3. Historia Langobardorum Beneventanorum (History of the Lombards of Benevento), which covers the history of the Lombard principality of Benevento from the 7th to the 9th century, and the Liber Pontificalis (Book of the Popes), a collection of biographies of the popes from Saint Peter to the 15th century.
  4. Finally, there are several charters and diplomas that were issued during Bernard's reign, which can provide insight into his political and administrative activities in Italy. These documents include charters granting privileges to monasteries and other institutions, as well as diplomas that record the boundaries of territories and the rights of nobles and other officials.

References

  1. ^ a b "Revolt of Bernard of Italy", The Cambridge Medieval History Series volumes 1-5, Plantagenet Publishing
  2. ^ a b c McKitterick, Rosamond, The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians
  3. ^ a b Riché, Pierre, The Carolingians, p. 148
  4. ^ McKitterick, Rosamond, The New Cambridge History, 700–900
Bernard of Italy (797-818)
Died: 17 April 818
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Pepin Carloman
King of Italy
8 July 810 – 17 April 818
with Charlemagne (810–814)
Succeeded by
Lothair I



Footnotes (including sources)

AMK152, Phlox, Rtol, MainTour

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