In 794, Charlemagne gave four former Gallo-Roman villas to Louis, in the thought that he would take in each in turn as winter residence: Doué, Ebreuil, Angeac and the Chasseneuil. Charlemagne's intention was to see all his sons brought up as natives of their given territories, wearing the national costume of the region and ruling by the local customs. Thus were the children sent to their respective realms at a young age. The marches—peripheral principalities—played a vital role as bulwarks against exterior threats to the empire. Louis reigned over the Spanish March. In 797, Barcelona, the largest city of the Marca, fell to the Franks when Zeid, its governor, rebelled against Córdoba and, failing, handed it to them. The Córdoban authority recaptured it in 799. However, Louis marched the entire army of his kingdom, including Gascons with their duke Sancho I of Gascony, Provençals under Leibulf, and Goths under Bera, over the Pyrenees and besieged it for seven months, wintering there from 800 to 801, when it capitulated.Riché (1993), The Carolingians:The Family who Forged Europe, 94. King Louis was formally invested with his armour in 791 at the age of fourteen. However, the princes were not given independence from central authority as Charlemagne wished to implant in them the concepts of empire and unity by sending them on remote military expeditions. Louis joined his brother Pippin at the Mezzogiorno campaign in Italy against the Duke Grimoald of Benevento at least once.
In 794 Charlemagne gave four former Gallo-Roman villas to Louis in the thought that he would take in each in turn as winter residence Doué Ebreuil Angeac and the Chasseneuil Charlemagne's intention was to see all his sons brought up as natives of their given territories wearing the national costume of the region and ruling by the local customs Thus were the children sent to their respective realms at a young age The marches—peripheral principalities—played a vital role as bulwarks against exterior threats to the empire Louis reigned over the Spanish March In 797 Barcelona the largest city of the Marca fell to the Franks when Zeid its governor rebelled against Córdoba and failing handed it to them The Córdoban authority recaptured it in 799 However Louis marched the entire army of his kingdom including Gascons with their duke Sancho I of Gascony Provençals under Leibulf and Goths under Bera over the Pyrenees and besieged it for seven months wintering there from 800 to 801 when it capitulatedRiché (1993) The CarolingiansThe Family who Forged Europe 94 King Louis was formally invested with his armour in 791 at the age of fourteen However the princes were not given independence from central authority as Charlemagne wished to implant in them the concepts of empire and unity by sending them on remote military expeditions Louis joined his brother Pippin at the Mezzogiorno campaign in Italy against the Duke Grimoald of Benevento at least once