Page:Outlines of European History.djvu/451

 CHAPTER XVT THE AGE OF DISORDER ; FEUDALISM Section 63. The Disruption of Charlemagne's Empire It was a matter of great importance to Europe whether Charlemagne's extensive empire held together or fell apart after his death in 814. He does not seem to have had any expectation that it would hold together, because some years before his death he arranged that it should be divided among his three sons. But as two of these died before he did, it fell into the hands of the only surviving son, Louis, who succeeded his august father as king of all the various parts of the Prankish domains and was later crowned Emperor. Louis, called '' the pious," proved a feeble ruler. He tried all sorts of ways of dividing the Empire peaceably among his rebellious and unruly sons, but he did not succeed, and after his death they, and their sons as well, continued to fight over the question of how much each should have. It is not neces- sary to speak of the various temporary arrangements that were made. Finally, it was agreed in 870, by the Treaty of Mersen, 381 Division of Charle- magne's empire Division of Prankish empire into three king- doms at Mersen, 870