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XLII. Charles III, “the Fat”
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340 The lords lodged a complaint with Pope Adrian against King Louis, saying that it was his fault that the Empire was torn apart and destruction wrought upon Christendom. He never wanted to hold court, and they could not put up with this state of affairs any longer. Pope Adrian settled the conflict by directing Louis to judge again according to the Imperial Law of Charles [the Great], which was being neglected, and that expenses for restoring lords’ estates, leaseholds and outlying rented lands back to the same way they were in that Charles’s time should be paid for from the royal treasury. That settled matters peacefully among the nobles, and great honor abounded all around as they departed. The pope consecrated the emperor. No argument was to be made against the need for Charles and Pippin to lay down arms. The king sent one of them to his old relatives of the house from which the whole family descended, the other to the land of the Burgundians , who—this is a known fact—killed him. Louis judged the Empire in a way that was pleasing to the princes. The Book tells us that he ruled for thirty-six years and three months. The princes greatly lamented his passing. XLII Charles III, “the Fat” Charles the Fat (Roman emperor 881–887) is numbered “the Third” in deference to Charles the Bald, skipped over by our author , who had received as king the western part of the three-way division of the Empire and later served as Emperor Charles II from 875 to his death in 877. Charles III was constantly at war in Italy, attempting in vain to pacify it. He brought disgrace upon himself by coming with a large army to defend Paris against the Normans, but eventually buying them off with the payment of a large sum as tribute and giving them permission to invade and Charles III 341 plunder Burgundy with no interference from the Empire. This was enough to make the German princes convoke an assembly in 887 to demand that he abdicate, which he did. He died the following year. The story that Charles’s wife, variously recorded as Richardis or Richildis, was accused of adultery but proved her innocence through an ordeal by fire became a widespread legend in the German -speaking territories. The version that follows found its way over the centuries from the Book of Emperors into Grimm’s German Sagas. Other versions have Richardis proving her innocence by walking barefoot over a bed of coals. when Louis departed from this world, he left behind three sons—the fabled Charles [III, “the Fat”], brave Louis, and a third who was called Carloman. They all became praiseworthy and noble in their deeds. Charles held the Empire, and the Book tells us that he took a wife whose soul, we should know by the trust we have in God, is with those of the just. She was free of any evil. The lady was attractive and honorable, and she adorned herself with many virtues, but there were jealous people at the court, who, when they observed the queen’s virtues, developed resentment toward her. They said that she had illicit relations with a man. They attacked her with lies, but afterwards they all suffered from what they did. One morning quite early, the king was on his way to matins when he was followed by a senior servant named Siegerat, whose advising remarks were malicious. “Sire,” he began. “What my queen has been doing is unworthy of the honors due you, but I dare say nothing further.” The king looked at him, and his words were sad. “Keep on talking— may God keep you in his care! You should reveal the truth to me. If you have observed anything that goes against the honor of the Empire, keep it secret no longer.” “Sire,” answered the old man. “I am unable to regain peace of mind because of what I have seen. My queen loves another man. Sire, if I am found to be lying, have me hanged from a tree.” [3.235.199.19] Project MUSE (2024-03-19 07:19 GMT) 342 Chapter Forty-two The king hurried back again to his chamber and lay down on the bed. His lady spoke to him. “Milord, I am unaccustomed to this. Why have you come back here so quickly? Until now you always were at prayers until daylight.” He hit her a rough...