Charlemagne Assassinated in 792

[robertp6165]

King Charles of the Franks, popularly known as Charlemagne, had a son named Pepin the Hunchback, who was unhappy at being excluded from the succession to the throne in 780. Pepin, Charles' eldest son, plotted with various discontented nobles who planned to assassinate Charles and then place Pepin on the throne in the year 792. The plot nearly succeeded, but was exposed by a Lombard deacon named Fardulf, and the conspirators were arrested, tried and executed (with the exception of Pepin, who Charles still loved, apparently, and who was sent to live in a monastery instead).

But what if something happens to Fardulf on his way to tell Charles about the plot, and the assassination is carried out?

Some early thoughts...

1) Pepin's brothers, Charles the Younger, Carloman, and Louis, if they are not assassinated as well during the coup, are not going to sit still for this, and a civil war is the likely result. Very possible the Frankish Empire falls apart during the process.

2) Charlemagne is not crowned "Emperor of the Romans." Likely nobody else is either. Very possible the title of Roman Emperor is never revived in the West. No Holy Roman Empire, with huge butterflies for later European and world history.

3) Pope Leo III is successfully deposed by a revolt of Roman nobility in 799. Whoever becomes Pope could send the history of Roman Catholicism off in a different direction...

Any other thoughts?

 

[Byzantine]

Pope Leo III

1) Pepin's brothers, Charles the Younger, Carloman, and Louis, if they are not assassinated as well during the coup, are not going to sit still for this, and a civil war is the likely result. Very possible the Frankish Empire falls apart during the process.

Lets see their ages at the time of the incident and likely power-bases.

*Charles the Younger was about 20-years-old in 792. Since 790, Charles (II) was groomed as heir to Francia and co-governor in Saxony. His father also created for him a new realm, "Ducatus Cenomannicus", effectively making him Duke of Maine. There were negotiations between Charlemagne and Offa, King of Mercia (reigned 757-796) over a marriage contract between Charles (II) and one of Offa's daughters. Probably said daughter was Aelflaed, who went on to marry Aethelred, King of Northumbria instead.

Charles (II) is arguably the greatest threat to Pepin as the "rightful" heir to Charlemagne. His power-base probably is in Saxony and he might seek assistance from Offa in exchange for an alliance.

*Carloman/Pepin, King of Lombards was about 15-years-old in 792. He was the co-ruler of Charlemagne in Lombardy (Italy) since 781, though his authority was mostly nominal. Pepin is known to have led his first military campaign in 793.

While Pepin can probably establish a power-base in Italy but at this point his military experience is minimal. Not much of a threat to the other Pepin.

*Louis the Pious was about 14-years-old in 792. He was King of Aquitaine since 781, though his authority was mostly nominal. His armies had already conquered Girona, Urgel and Cerdanya in his name.

His power-base is obviously Aquitaine and he benefits from inheriting the troops intended for the Frankish campaigns into the Iberian Peninsula. However he is the youngest and less experienced of the four surviving sons.

3) Pope Leo III is successfully deposed by a revolt of Roman nobility in 799. Whoever becomes Pope could send the history of Roman Catholicism off in a different direction...

Leo III would not get elected until 795. In 792, Pope Adrian I (term 772-795) is still alive. Adrian relied entirely on the protection of Charlemagne to maintain his position against various threats. What happens when his protector is removed? Will he try to get Penin of Lombardy to act as his new protector? Or will he follow Charlemagne to an early grave?

 

[MNP]

I involved Pepin the Hunchback a lot in that period during my own TL. As near as I can figure out, he was to be a puppet. The fact that he was excluded from the succession for many years prior because of his deformity and the fact that Charlemagne didn't actually kill him after suggest that Pepin was basically a nothing, a vehicle for the nobles to put more space between them and Charles. If there's a civil war among the sons, Pepin is probably not going to last very long.

Leo III would not get elected until 795. In 792, Pope Adrian I (term 772-795) is still alive. Adrian relied entirely on the protection of Charlemagne to maintain his position against various threats. What happens when his protector is removed? Will he try to get Penin of Lombardy to act as his new protector? Or will he follow Charlemagne to an early grave?

I think that he would be deposed rather than adhere to a pro-Lombard policy. From New Advent.org which even if it has little other use, is a good site for Catholic history:

The time seemed propitious for subjecting all Italy to the Lombard rule; and with less able antagonists than Adrian and Charles (to be famous in later ages as Charlemagne), most probably the ambition of Desiderius would have been gratified. There seemed little prospect of Frankish intervention. The Lombards held the passes of the Alps, and Charles was engrossed by the difficulties of the Saxon war; moreover, the presence in Pavia of Gerberga and her two sons, the widow and orphans of Carloman, whose territories, on his brother's death, Charles had annexed, seemed to offer an excellent opportunity of stirring up discord among the Franks, if only the Pope could be persuaded, or coerced, to anoint the children as heirs to their father's throne. Instead of complying, Adrian valiantly determined upon resistance. He strengthened the fortifications of Rome, called to the aid of the militia the inhabitants of the surrounding territory, and, as the Lombard host advanced, ravaging and plundering summoned Charles to hasten to the defense of their common interests. An opportune lull in the Saxon war left the great commander [Charlemagne] free to act.

Even if his patron is gone after so many years, he is going to be even more set on opposing the Lombards.