Louis the German

Louis the German was also known as Louis II or Louis the Bavarian.  He was the grandson of Emperor Charlemagne and would become king of the area which would later become known as Germany.  He would fight for the continuation of the Carolingian Dynasty against the Bohemians, Moravians, Magyars, Slavs, and the Vikings.

Louis’ first war troubles as king were against his half-brothers, also grandsons of Charlemagne.  Although he had spent much of his early youth at the court of his Grandfather, Louis became embroiled in the politics of the age and was forced into rebellions against his own father.  His stepmother, Judith, wanted to secure lands for her own sons.  Louis was soon interfering and the path to war was discovered.  The lands were divided by then King Louis (Charlemagne’s son and Louis II’s father).

The years from 840 to 841 were very tumultuous and soon the only road to peace would be by force of arms.  Louis squared off against Charles the Bald (Charles II) and Lothaire the First (Lothar I).  He still searched for a way out of the fighting and eventually allied with his brother, Charles, against Lothaire.  History tells us what happened after that.