Individual Details
King Louis IV "Transmarinus" OF FRANCE
(10 Sep 921 - 10 Sep 954)
Louis IV (10 September 920 – 30 September 954), called d'Outremer or
Transmarinus (both meaning "from overseas"), reigned as King of
Western Francia from 936 to 954. He was a member of the Carolingian
dynasty, the son of Charles III and Eadgifu of England, a daughter of
King Edward the Elder.[1]
Early years across the sea
He was only two years old when his father was deposed by the nobles,
who set up Robert I in his place. When he was only three years old,
Robert died and was replaced by Rudolph, duke of Burgundy. Rudolph's
ally, a Carolingian himself, Count Herbert II of Vermandois, took
Charles captive by treachery and the young Louis's mother took the boy
"over the sea" to the safety of England, hence his nickname.
Return to France
Charles died in 929, but Rudolph ruled on until 936, when Louis was
summoned back to France unanimously by the nobles, especially Hugh the
Great, who had probably organised his return to prevent Herbert II, or
Rudolph's brother Hugh the Black, taking the throne. He was crowned
king at Laon by Artald, archbishop of Rheims, on Sunday 19 June 936.[
Effectively, his sovereignty was limited to the town of Laon and to
some places in the north of France, Louis displayed a keenness beyond
his years in obtaining the recognition of his authority by his feuding
nobles. Nonetheless, his reign was filled with conflict; in particular
with Hugh the Great, count of Paris.
Louis IV fell from his horse and died 10 September 954, at Rheims, in
the Marne, and is interred there at Saint Rémi Basilica.
Marriage and children
In 939, Louis became involved in a struggle with the Emperor Otto the
Great on the question of Lorraine, but then married Otto's sister
Gerberga of Saxony (914 – 5 May 984). They were parents to eight
children:
Lothair of France (941–986)
Matilda, b. about 943; married Conrad of Burgundy
Hildegarde b. about 944
Carloman b. about 945
Louis b. about 948
Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine (953–993)
Alberade b. before 953
Henri b. about 953
Transmarinus (both meaning "from overseas"), reigned as King of
Western Francia from 936 to 954. He was a member of the Carolingian
dynasty, the son of Charles III and Eadgifu of England, a daughter of
King Edward the Elder.[1]
Early years across the sea
He was only two years old when his father was deposed by the nobles,
who set up Robert I in his place. When he was only three years old,
Robert died and was replaced by Rudolph, duke of Burgundy. Rudolph's
ally, a Carolingian himself, Count Herbert II of Vermandois, took
Charles captive by treachery and the young Louis's mother took the boy
"over the sea" to the safety of England, hence his nickname.
Return to France
Charles died in 929, but Rudolph ruled on until 936, when Louis was
summoned back to France unanimously by the nobles, especially Hugh the
Great, who had probably organised his return to prevent Herbert II, or
Rudolph's brother Hugh the Black, taking the throne. He was crowned
king at Laon by Artald, archbishop of Rheims, on Sunday 19 June 936.[
Effectively, his sovereignty was limited to the town of Laon and to
some places in the north of France, Louis displayed a keenness beyond
his years in obtaining the recognition of his authority by his feuding
nobles. Nonetheless, his reign was filled with conflict; in particular
with Hugh the Great, count of Paris.
Louis IV fell from his horse and died 10 September 954, at Rheims, in
the Marne, and is interred there at Saint Rémi Basilica.
Marriage and children
In 939, Louis became involved in a struggle with the Emperor Otto the
Great on the question of Lorraine, but then married Otto's sister
Gerberga of Saxony (914 – 5 May 984). They were parents to eight
children:
Lothair of France (941–986)
Matilda, b. about 943; married Conrad of Burgundy
Hildegarde b. about 944
Carloman b. about 945
Louis b. about 948
Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine (953–993)
Alberade b. before 953
Henri b. about 953
Events
| Birth | 10 Sep 921 | ||||
| Death | 10 Sep 954 | Abbaye De St Rhemy, Reims, Champagne, France | |||
| Marriage | Queen Gerberge OF FRANCE | ||||
| Residence | Laon, Champagne, France |
Families
| Spouse | Queen Gerberge OF FRANCE (913 - 984) |
| Child | Prince Charles OF FRANCE (953 - 993) |
| Child | Princess Mathilde OF FRANCE (943 - 981) |
| Father | King Charles "The Simple" III OF FRANCE (879 - 929) |
| Mother | Queen Eadgifu OF WESSEX (904 - 951) |