Prince Charles Duke of (Lower) Lorraine

  General Notes:

Legitimate heir to throne of France but failed in his claim.

Accused King Lothair's wife of having an affair with Adalbero, Bishop of Laon.

This caused falling out with his brother Lothair, the king, and sought refuge with his cousin Otho II in Germany who agreed to support his succession as King of France and confirmed to him his rights as Duke of Lorraine in 987.

Otho II and Charles attacked France and Charles was briefly crowned King. His brother Lothair retaliated with support of Hugh Capet and drove them back to Germany. Charles was now viewed as more german than french - at least by Hugh Capet who had designs on the crown.

Briefly proclaimed king of France by Theudebert, Bishop of Metz.

Should have succeeded as king, but was ousted by Hugh Capet. Charles's brother was King Lothaire and when he died, his son, Louis V briefly became king, but died within one year. This was when Charles began to press his rightful claim - but was captured by supporters of Capet and imprisoned in 991 on Palm Sunday.

This was the end of the Carolingian line. Capetians from here forward.
Source: Feudal Society By Marc Bloch, L. A. Manyon

After the deaths of Lothar (986) and Lothar’s son and successor Louis V (987), Charles asserted his claim to the French throne. But Adalbero, archbishop of Reims, (see above) convinced the assembly of Frankish nobles that the Frankish crown was elective rather than hereditary and that Charles was unworthy of the kingship. The assembly then proclaimed Hugh Capet king of France. [Ency Britannica]




May have had a twin brother, Henri.
http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/LOTHARINGIA.htm#CharlesdukeLowerLothringiadied991

When father Louis IV was captured by Normans, his mother sent Charles as hostage for his father's release to Hugh Capet.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Duchy of Lorraine confirmed: by Emperor Otho II, 987.

Charles married Bonne (Bona) Adelaide d'Ardennes Duchess of Lorraine, daughter of Godefroy Verdun Count d'Ardenne and Mathilde of Saxony, in 970. (Bonne (Bona) Adelaide d'Ardennes Duchess of Lorraine was born in 953.)

Charles next married AGNES (ADELAIDE) De Vermandois, Troyes & Meaux, daughter of Herbert (Henry) (the elder) Count of Vermandois, Meaux & Troyes and Princess of England Eadgifu (Edgiva, Gewissa) Of Wessex Queen of the Franks, in 979. (AGNES (ADELAIDE) De Vermandois, Troyes & Meaux was born in 951 in Vermandois and died in 991 in Orleans.)