Treaty of Meerssen
Meerssen, Limburg, Netherlands
What happened
The Frankish kings Louis the German of East Francia and Charles the Bald of West Francia made the treaty. When King Lothair II died in 869, his kingdom of Lotharingia was left without a clear ruler. Meeting at Meerssen, Louis and Charles divided it between them. Louis took lands including Aachen, Metz and most of Frisia, and Charles took lands including Lyon, Vienne and Besançon.
Why it matters
It replaced the division made by the Treaty of Verdun in 843 and joined the Frankish lands into larger eastern and western parts. Some historians count it as the third major division of the Frankish realm.
What came next
The arrangement did not last. After Louis the Younger defeated Charles the Bald at Andernach in 876, the Treaty of Ribemont in 880 gave all of Lotharingia to East Francia.
Did you know?
Much of the Frisian coast was under Viking control, so the border there was drawn only on paper.
Timeline
- 843Treaty of Verdun.
- 869Lothair II dies.
- 8 August 870Treaty of Meerssen.
- 876Battle of Andernach.
- 880Treaty of Ribemont.