The political development of the Carolingian Kingdom of Lotharingia, 870-925
George Hope
The subject of this thesis is the Carolingian regnum Lotharingia in years between Treaty Meersen 870 and its incorporation into kingdom Henry I 925. Traditionally, history half-century told conventional terms. Despite loss king 869 subsequent division 870, Lotharii apparently remained a coherent geo-political structure which, maintaining permanent presence landscape, provided focus for contemporary political action, thus suitable straightforward topic historical investigation.

This challenges that traditional approach demonstrates that, much initial period following was precisely not such structure. Arguing standard methodological approaches are flawed seeing survival terminology as evidence permanence offers more nuanced explanation, shows survived because it an elastic legacy could be deployed at opportune moments by either kings, or their challengers, constructing images own power authority.

Lotharingia politically active unit early tenth century proceeds to show emergence. It again exposes explanations unsatisfactory. This alternative explanation proposing emergence distinct aristocracy only end ninth century. In re-examining narrative charter evidence, reveals new identity reaction moment crisis within ranks one particular aristocratic community. residual from earlier independence waiting reactivation.