Chapter 1
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Chapter 1: One King, One Germany
Aachen was abuzz with activity. Accommodations were prepared for the Dukes of the German tribes: Saxony, Lotharingia, Franconia, Swabia, Bavaria, Thuringia. And, leading the Saxon contingent, Otto, son of Heinrich the Fowler, the late King of East Francia.
It was, admittedly, hard to keep referring to the kingdom as "East Francia." It had been about 25 years since a Karling led the Germans. When Louis the Child died at the age of 18 without issue, the dukes decided they did not want the kingdom to be ruled by the most eligible Karling: Charles the Simple, King of West Francia. So, they agreed to elect one of their own, Conrad of Franconia, as the next king. Conrad had hoped to maintain control over the other tribes, but that proved impossible, and East Francia was a hotbed of rebellion until Conrad passed away in 918. He asked the other dukes, including Eberhard, his brother and the next Duke of Franconia, to rally behind the Duke of Saxony, Heinrich the Fowler, to lead East Francia. Henry did lead with a strong arm and clever politicking, pushing the Magyars back, and even convincing oft-wayward Lotharingia back into the German fold. Calling himself First Among Equals, he assuaged the other dukes with promises that he was not above them, and they remained loyal. And so, wielding such control, he convinced the other dukes to agree to allowing Otto, his first son, to become the new king, taking full control of his holdings.
The problem, of course, is that Otto was not Heinrich's first son.
After the coronation, Thankmar stayed in Aachen a few more days. He visited with Geberga, his half-sister, wife of Giselbert, Duke of Lotharingia.
"Did you see how he sat in Charlemagne's throne? Does he think he's some sort of emperor? He is no Karling," Giselbert fumed to his guests.
"He's not even Frankish, but you never would have guessed it from what he wore to that coronation," Eberhard interjected.
"He's Saxon. His father ruled us not forgetting that. Oh, but when I punish a minor lord for not swearing fealty to me for not being Saxon, Otto decrees that I'm the party at fault, and sentences my commanders to carrying dead dogs in public. But when it's time for the coronation, 'Oh, no, I'm Frankish, not Saxon, and you'll all bow to me anyway.' He has no right insulting our traditions that way!"
"The Pomeranian marches were supposed to be mine," Wichmann added, "but Otto gave them to my little brother, instead."
"Plenty has been going to the little brother," Thankmar concluded. "It's not our traditions, and Otto does not have the mandate. Saxons are Saxons, and Franconians are Fanconians, and the dukes are free to rule their people by the grace of God. We were bound under Charlemagne and banded together to support his rule and the rule of his family as ordained by God. We kept that rule together for Conrad, for Heinrich. But now, we have strayed from Karling rule. We are not East Francians. We have strayed from our free choice of ruler. For Saxony, for Lotharingia, for Franconia, we hold the mandate for ourselves. What say you?"
"I've already told Otto that Lotharingia will not be part of this farce. I've pledged my support to Louis of West Francia," Giselbert replied. "Lotharingia wishes you well, and will be happy to have you as an ally."
"Franconia agrees, this insult has gone on long enough. You have our support as first son of Heinrich the Fowler, and will support you in battle." Eberhard rapped on the table in emphasis.
"Anything to put that pie-eyed charlatan in his place," Wichmann spat. "I support you, Thankmar."
"In the months after my wedding, then. I am marrying Strezislava of Bohemia, and her brother Boleslav has promised to ally as well. My sister Hedwig is betrothed to Louis, so West Francia will do nothing against us."
"As winter falls, so shall we descend on Otto."
Aachen was abuzz with activity. Accommodations were prepared for the Dukes of the German tribes: Saxony, Lotharingia, Franconia, Swabia, Bavaria, Thuringia. And, leading the Saxon contingent, Otto, son of Heinrich the Fowler, the late King of East Francia.
It was, admittedly, hard to keep referring to the kingdom as "East Francia." It had been about 25 years since a Karling led the Germans. When Louis the Child died at the age of 18 without issue, the dukes decided they did not want the kingdom to be ruled by the most eligible Karling: Charles the Simple, King of West Francia. So, they agreed to elect one of their own, Conrad of Franconia, as the next king. Conrad had hoped to maintain control over the other tribes, but that proved impossible, and East Francia was a hotbed of rebellion until Conrad passed away in 918. He asked the other dukes, including Eberhard, his brother and the next Duke of Franconia, to rally behind the Duke of Saxony, Heinrich the Fowler, to lead East Francia. Henry did lead with a strong arm and clever politicking, pushing the Magyars back, and even convincing oft-wayward Lotharingia back into the German fold. Calling himself First Among Equals, he assuaged the other dukes with promises that he was not above them, and they remained loyal. And so, wielding such control, he convinced the other dukes to agree to allowing Otto, his first son, to become the new king, taking full control of his holdings.
The problem, of course, is that Otto was not Heinrich's first son.
After the coronation, Thankmar stayed in Aachen a few more days. He visited with Geberga, his half-sister, wife of Giselbert, Duke of Lotharingia.
"Did you see how he sat in Charlemagne's throne? Does he think he's some sort of emperor? He is no Karling," Giselbert fumed to his guests.
"He's not even Frankish, but you never would have guessed it from what he wore to that coronation," Eberhard interjected.
"He's Saxon. His father ruled us not forgetting that. Oh, but when I punish a minor lord for not swearing fealty to me for not being Saxon, Otto decrees that I'm the party at fault, and sentences my commanders to carrying dead dogs in public. But when it's time for the coronation, 'Oh, no, I'm Frankish, not Saxon, and you'll all bow to me anyway.' He has no right insulting our traditions that way!"
"The Pomeranian marches were supposed to be mine," Wichmann added, "but Otto gave them to my little brother, instead."
"Plenty has been going to the little brother," Thankmar concluded. "It's not our traditions, and Otto does not have the mandate. Saxons are Saxons, and Franconians are Fanconians, and the dukes are free to rule their people by the grace of God. We were bound under Charlemagne and banded together to support his rule and the rule of his family as ordained by God. We kept that rule together for Conrad, for Heinrich. But now, we have strayed from Karling rule. We are not East Francians. We have strayed from our free choice of ruler. For Saxony, for Lotharingia, for Franconia, we hold the mandate for ourselves. What say you?"
"I've already told Otto that Lotharingia will not be part of this farce. I've pledged my support to Louis of West Francia," Giselbert replied. "Lotharingia wishes you well, and will be happy to have you as an ally."
"Franconia agrees, this insult has gone on long enough. You have our support as first son of Heinrich the Fowler, and will support you in battle." Eberhard rapped on the table in emphasis.
"Anything to put that pie-eyed charlatan in his place," Wichmann spat. "I support you, Thankmar."
"In the months after my wedding, then. I am marrying Strezislava of Bohemia, and her brother Boleslav has promised to ally as well. My sister Hedwig is betrothed to Louis, so West Francia will do nothing against us."
"As winter falls, so shall we descend on Otto."
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