On September 24, 768, Pepin, King of the Franks, died and split his realm between his two sons. Charles, later known as Charlemagne, received the outer portions, and his 17-year-old brother Carloman recieved the interior of the kingdom. They ruled with "joint kingship" but were highly competitive.
Charles attempted to surround Carloman with allies by signing a treaty with the Duke of Bavaria and marrying the a daughter of Desiderius, King of the Lombards. Less than a year later, Charlemagne left her for a 13-year-old Swabian. The repudiated princess returned to hier father's court, where he angrily began to seek an alliance with Carloman to oppose Charles. Before any open hostilities could be declared, however, Carloman died of seemingly natural causes.
What if Carloman had not died?
I made this map to illustrate the two sides of the war, but it might not be very accurate. Would Duke Tassilo of Bavaria honor his alliance with Charles? Would the Pope pick a side? Would the recently conquered Aquitaine take this opportunity to rebel? And, most importantly, who would win?
Charles attempted to surround Carloman with allies by signing a treaty with the Duke of Bavaria and marrying the a daughter of Desiderius, King of the Lombards. Less than a year later, Charlemagne left her for a 13-year-old Swabian. The repudiated princess returned to hier father's court, where he angrily began to seek an alliance with Carloman to oppose Charles. Before any open hostilities could be declared, however, Carloman died of seemingly natural causes.
What if Carloman had not died?
I made this map to illustrate the two sides of the war, but it might not be very accurate. Would Duke Tassilo of Bavaria honor his alliance with Charles? Would the Pope pick a side? Would the recently conquered Aquitaine take this opportunity to rebel? And, most importantly, who would win?