Bernard of Italy: Difference between revisions

Bernard
Bernard
	Bernard (left) and Iustitia (right)
King of Italy
Reign	810–818
Predecessor	Pepin Carloman
Successor	Lothair I
Born	797; Vermandois, Francia
Died	17 April 818 (aged 20–21); Aachen, Francia
Burial	Milan, Lombardy
Consort	Cunigunda of Laon
Issue	Pepin, Count of Vermandois
House	Carolingian
Father	Pepin Carloman

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Bernard (797 – 17 April 818) was the illegitimate son of Pepin of Italy and the King of Italy from 810 to 818. He plotted against his uncle, Emperor Louis the Pious, when the latter's Ordinatio Imperii made Bernard a vassal of his cousin Lothair. When his plot was discovered, Louis had him blinded, a procedure which killed him.

Life

Bernard was born in 797, the son of King Pepin of Italy, himself the son of the Emperor Charlemagne. In 810, Pepin died from an illness contracted at the siege of Venice. Bernard married a woman named Cunigunde, but the year of their marriage, and her origins, are obscure. Some sources refer to her as "of Laon". They had one son, Pepin, Count of Vermandois, who was born in 817.

In 817, Louis the Pious drew the Ordinatio Imperii, detailing the future of the Frankish Empire. Under this, the bulk of the Frankish territory went to Louis' eldest son, Lothair; Bernard received no further territory, and although his kingship of Italy was confirmed, he would be a vassal of Lothair, as he had been to Louis and to Charles.^[2] Certain of his counselors, including Count Eggideo, and his chamberlain Reginhard, persuaded Bernard that this arrangement threatened his position. Other names were Reginhar, the last being the grandson of a Thuringian rebel against Charlemagne, and Hardrad. Anshelm, Bishop of Milan and Theodulf, Bishop of Orléans, were also accused of being involved: there is no evidence either to support or contradict this in the case of Theodulf, whilst the case for Anshelm is murkier.^[3]^[4]

Prior to this, Bernard's relationship with his uncle appears to have been cooperative.^[2] Bernard's main complaint was the notion of his being a vassal of Lothair. In practical terms, his actual position had not been altered at all by the terms of the decree, and he could safely have continued to rule under such a system. Nonetheless, "partly true" reports came to Louis the Pious that his nephew was planning to set up an 'unlawful'—i.e. independent—regime in Italy.^[3]

Louis the Pious reacted swiftly to the plot, marching south to Chalon. Bernard and his associates were taken by surprise; Bernard travelled to Chalon in an attempt to negotiate terms, but he and the ringleaders were forced to surrender to Louis, who had them taken to Aachen where they were tried and condemned to death. Louis 'mercifully' commuted their sentences to blinding, which would neutralize Bernard as a threat without actually killing him; however, the process of blinding (carried out by means of pressing a red-hot stiletto to the eyeballs) proved so traumatic that Bernard died in agony two days after the procedure was carried out. At the same time, Louis also had his half-brothers Drogo, Hugh and Theoderic tonsured and confined to monasteries, to prevent other Carolingian offshoots challenging the main line. He also treated those guilty or suspected of conspiring with Bernard harshly: Theodulf of Orleans was imprisoned, and died soon afterwards; the lay conspirators were blinded, the clerics deposed and imprisoned; all lost lands and honours.^[3]^[4]^[5]

A text called The Vision of the Poor woman of Laon criticizes Louis for Bernard's death.^[6]

Legacy

His Kingdom of Italy was reabsorbed into the Frankish empire, and soon after bestowed upon Louis' eldest son Lothair. In 822, Louis made a display of public penance at Attigny, where he confessed before all the court to having sinfully slain his nephew; he also welcomed his half-brothers back into his favour. These actions possibly stemmed from guilt over his part in Bernard's death. It has been argued by some historians that his behaviour left him open to clerical domination, and reduced his prestige and respect amongst the Frankish nobility.^[3] Others, however, point out that Bernard's plot had been a serious threat to the stability of the kingdom, and the reaction no less a threat; Louis' display of penance, then, "was a well-judged gesture to restore harmony and re-establish his authority."^[5]

References

^ This is the identification of Huber Mordek, followed by Johannes Fried Charlemagne (Harvard University Press, 2016), p. 504. See Ildar Garipzanov, The Symbolic Language of Authority in the Carolingian World (c.751–877) (Brill, 2008), p. 233n.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Revolt of Bernard of Italy", The Cambridge Medieval History Series volumes 1-5, Plantagenet Publishing
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d McKitterick, Rosamond, The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians
^ ^a ^b Riché, Pierre, The Carolingians, p. 148
^ ^a ^b McKitterick, Rosamond, The New Cambridge History, 700–900
^ Knechtges, David R. and Vance, Eugene. Rhetoric and the Discourses of Power in Court Culture, University of Washington Press, 2012, ISBN 9780295802367

Regnal titles
Bernard of Italy Carolingian dynasty Died: 17 April 818
Preceded by Pepin Carloman	King of Italy 8 July 810 – 17 April 818 with Charlemagne (810–814)	Succeeded by Lothair I

[1] This is the identification of Huber Mordek, followed by Johannes Fried Charlemagne (Harvard University Press, 2016), p. 504. See Ildar Garipzanov, The Symbolic Language of Authority in the Carolingian World (c.751–877) (Brill, 2008), p. 233n.

[Cambridge-2] "Revolt of Bernard of Italy", The Cambridge Medieval History Series volumes 1-5, Plantagenet Publishing

[ReferenceA-3] McKitterick, Rosamond, The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians

[Riche,_Pierre_p._148-4] Riché, Pierre, The Carolingians, p. 148

[ReferenceB-5] McKitterick, Rosamond, The New Cambridge History, 700–900

[6] Knechtges, David R. and Vance, Eugene. Rhetoric and the Discourses of Power in Court Culture, University of Washington Press, 2012, ISBN 9780295802367

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
 {{Infobox monarch
 | name           = Bernard
-| title          = King of the Lombards
+| succession     = [[King of Italy]]
-| image          = 9705 - Milano - S. Ambrogio - Tesoro - Tomba di Bernardo & arc. Anselmo I - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto 25-Apr-2007.jpg
+| image          = Frontispiece, St. Paul im Lavanttal, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. 4-1.jpg
+| caption        = Bernard (left) and [[Iustitia]] (right)<ref>This is the identification of Huber Mordek, followed by Johannes Fried ''Charlemagne'' (Harvard University Press, 2016), p. 504. See Ildar Garipzanov, ''The Symbolic Language of Authority in the Carolingian World (c.751–877)'' (Brill, 2008), p. 233n.</ref>
-| caption        = 17th century commemorative fresco from Bernard's grave in Milan, Italy.
 | reign          = 810–818
 | coronation     =
@@ Line 17: / Line 18: @@
 | mother         =
 | birth_date     = 797
-| birth_place    = [[Vermandois]], [[Picardy (region)|Picardy]], [[France]]
+| birth_place    = [[Vermandois]], [[Francia]]
-| death_date     = {{date of death and age|818|4|17|797|df=y}}
+| death_date     = {{date of death and age|818|4|17|797|df=y}}<ref name=Cambridge/>
-| death_place    = [[Aachen]], [[Rhineland]], [[Germany]]
+| death_place    = [[Aachen]], [[Francia]]
 | date of burial =
-| place of burial= [[Milan]], [[Lombardy]], [[Italy]]
+| place of burial= [[Milan]], [[Lombardy]]
 |}}
-'''Bernard''' (797 in [[Vermandois]], [[Picardy (region)|Picardy]] – 17 April 818 in [[Milan]], [[Lombardy]]) was the [[King of the Lombards]] from 810 to 818. He plotted against his uncle, [[Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor]] [[Louis the Pious]], when the latter's ''Ordinatio Imperii'' made Bernard a vassal of his cousin [[Lothair I|Lothair]]. When his plot was discovered, Louis had him [[Blinding (punishment)|blinded]], a procedure which killed him.
+'''Bernard''' (797 – 17 April 818) was the illegitimate son of [[Pepin of Italy]] and the [[King of Italy]] from 810 to 818. He plotted against his uncle, [[Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor]] [[Louis the Pious]], when the latter's ''Ordinatio Imperii'' made Bernard a [[vassal]] of his cousin [[Lothair I|Lothair]]. When his plot was discovered, Louis had him [[Blinding (punishment)|blinded]], a procedure which killed him.
 ==Life==
-Bernard was born in 797, the illegitimate son of King [[Pepin of Italy]], himself the son of the Emperor [[Charlemagne]]. In 810, Pepin died from an illness contracted at the siege of [[Venice]]. Despite being illegitimate, his grandfather allowed Bernard to inherit Italy.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=LUCPcwybApIC&pg=PA10&dq=Bernard+of+Italy&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi4mIyl-5PXAhVCOyYKHUBcD6oQ6AEINTAC#v=onepage&q=Bernard%20of%20Italy&f=false Noble, Thomas F. X., ''Charlemagne and Louis the Pious''], Penn State Press, 2009, {{ISBN|9780271035734}}, p. 10</ref> Bernard married a woman named [[Cunigunda of Laon|Cunigunde]], but the year of their marriage, and her origins are obscure. Some sources refer to her as "of Laon". They had one son, [[Pepin, Count of Vermandois]], who was born in 817.
+Bernard was born in 797, the son of King [[Pepin of Italy]], himself the son of the Emperor [[Charlemagne]]. In 810, Pepin died from an illness contracted at the siege of [[Venice]]. Bernard married a woman named [[Cunigunda of Laon|Cunigunde]], but the year of their marriage, and her origins, are obscure. Some sources refer to her as "of Laon". They had one son, [[Pepin, Count of Vermandois]], who was born in 817.
-In 817, Louis the Pious drew the ''Ordinatio Imperii'', detailing the future of the Frankish Empire. Under this, the bulk of the Frankish territory went to Louis' eldest son, Lothair; Bernard received no further territory, and although his Kingship of Italy was confirmed, he would be a vassal of Lothair, as he had been to Louis and to Charles.<ref name=Cambridge>[https://books.google.com/books?id=9lHeh36S8ooC&pg=PT904&dq=Bernard+of+Italy&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi4mIyl-5PXAhVCOyYKHUBcD6oQ6AEIRzAF#v=onepage&q=Bernard%20of%20Italy&f=false "Revolt of Bernard of Italy"], ''The Cambridge Medieval History Series'' volumes 1-5, Plantagenet Publishing</ref>  Certain of his counselors, including Count Eggideo, and his chamberlain Reginhard, persuaded Bernard that arrangement threatened his position. Other named were [[Reginar I, Frankish Count|Reginhar]], the last being the grandson of a Thuringian rebel against Charlemagne, and Hardrad. Anshelm, Bishop of Milan and [[Theodulf of Orléans|Theodulf, Bishop of Orléans]], were also accused of being involved: there is no evidence either to support or contradict this in the case of Theodulf, whilst the case for Anshelm is murkier.<ref name="ReferenceA">McKitterick, Rosamond, ''The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians''</ref><ref name="Riche, Pierre p. 148">Riché, Pierre, ''The Carolingians'', p. 148</ref>
+In 817, Louis the Pious drew the ''Ordinatio Imperii'', detailing the future of the Frankish Empire. Under this, the bulk of the Frankish territory went to Louis' eldest son, Lothair; Bernard received no further territory, and although his kingship of Italy was confirmed, he would be a vassal of Lothair, as he had been to Louis and to Charles.<ref name=Cambridge>[https://books.google.com/books?id=9lHeh36S8ooC&dq=Bernard+of+Italy&pg=PT904 "Revolt of Bernard of Italy"], ''The Cambridge Medieval History Series'' volumes 1-5, Plantagenet Publishing</ref> Certain of his counselors, including Count Eggideo, and his chamberlain Reginhard, persuaded Bernard that this arrangement threatened his position. Other names were [[Reginar (died 818)|Reginhar]], the last being the grandson of a Thuringian rebel against Charlemagne, and Hardrad. Anshelm, Bishop of Milan and [[Theodulf of Orléans|Theodulf, Bishop of Orléans]], were also accused of being involved: there is no evidence either to support or contradict this in the case of Theodulf, whilst the case for Anshelm is murkier.<ref name="ReferenceA">McKitterick, Rosamond, ''The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians''</ref><ref name="Riche, Pierre p. 148">Riché, Pierre, ''The Carolingians'', p. 148</ref>
-Prior to this, Bernard's relationship with his uncle appears to have been sexual.<ref name=Cambridge/> Bernard's main complaint was the notion of his being a vassal of Lothair. In practical terms, his actual position had not been altered at all by the terms of the decree, and he could safely have continued to rule under such a system. Nonetheless, "partly true" reports came to Louis the Pious that his nephew was planning to set up an 'unlawful' – i.e. independent – regime in Italy.<ref name="ReferenceA" />
+Prior to this, Bernard's relationship with his uncle appears to have been cooperative.<ref name=Cambridge/> Bernard's main complaint was the notion of his being a vassal of Lothair. In practical terms, his actual position had not been altered at all by the terms of the decree, and he could safely have continued to rule under such a system. Nonetheless, "partly true" reports came to Louis the Pious that his nephew was planning to set up an 'unlawful'—i.e. independent—regime in Italy.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
-Louis the Pious reacted swiftly to the plot, marching south to [[Chalon-sur-Saône|Chalon]]. Bernard and his associates were taken by surprise; Bernard travelled to Chalon in an attempt to negotiate terms, but he and the ringleaders were forced to surrender to Louis, who had them taken to [[Aix-la-Chapelle]] where they were tried and condemned to death. Louis 'mercifully' commuted their sentences to blinding, which would neutralize Bernard as a threat without actually killing him; however, the process of blinding (carried out by means of pressing a red-hot stiletto to the eyeballs) proved so traumatic that Bernard died in agony two days after the procedure was carried out. At the same time, Louis also had his half-brothers [[Drogo of Metz|Drogo]], [[Hugh, son of Charlemagne|Hugh]] and Theoderic [[Tonsure|tonsured]] and confined to monasteries, to prevent other Carolingian offshoots challenging the main line. He also treated those guilty or suspected of conspiring with Bernard harshly: Theodulf of Orleans was imprisoned, and died soon afterwards; the lay conspirators were blinded, the clerics deposed and imprisoned; all lost lands and honours.<ref name="ReferenceA" /><ref name="Riche, Pierre p. 148"/><ref name="ReferenceB">McKitterick, Rosamond, ''The New Cambridge History, 700–900''</ref>
+Louis the Pious reacted swiftly to the plot, marching south to [[Chalon-sur-Saône|Chalon]]. Bernard and his associates were taken by surprise; Bernard travelled to Chalon in an attempt to negotiate terms, but he and the ringleaders were forced to surrender to Louis, who had them taken to [[Aachen]] where they were tried and condemned to death. Louis 'mercifully' commuted their sentences to blinding, which would neutralize Bernard as a threat without actually killing him; however, the process of blinding (carried out by means of pressing a red-hot [[stiletto]] to the eyeballs) proved so traumatic that Bernard died in agony two days after the procedure was carried out. At the same time, Louis also had his half-brothers [[Drogo of Metz|Drogo]], [[Hugh (abbot of Saint-Quentin)|Hugh]] and Theoderic [[Tonsure|tonsured]] and confined to monasteries, to prevent other Carolingian offshoots challenging the main line. He also treated those guilty or suspected of conspiring with Bernard harshly: Theodulf of Orleans was imprisoned, and died soon afterwards; the lay conspirators were blinded, the clerics deposed and imprisoned; all lost lands and honours.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="Riche, Pierre p. 148"/><ref name="ReferenceB">McKitterick, Rosamond, ''The New Cambridge History, 700–900''</ref>
-A text called ''The Vision of the Poor woman of Laon'' criticizes Louis for Bernard's death.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=3CQ3IZHbvLYC&pg=PT198&dq=Bernard+of+Italy&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj1guSRg5TXAhWJQCYKHb9eD1s4KBDoAQg8MAQ#v=onepage&q=Bernard%20of%20Italy&f=false Knechtges, David R. and Vance, Eugene. ''Rhetoric and the Discourses of Power in Court Culture''], University of Washington Press, 2012, {{ISBN|9780295802367}}</ref>
+A text called ''The Vision of the Poor woman of Laon'' criticizes Louis for Bernard's death.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=3CQ3IZHbvLYC&dq=Bernard+of+Italy&pg=PT198 Knechtges, David R. and Vance, Eugene. ''Rhetoric and the Discourses of Power in Court Culture''], University of Washington Press, 2012, {{ISBN|9780295802367}}</ref>
 ==Legacy==
+[[File:9705 - Milano - S. Ambrogio - Tesoro - Tomba di Bernardo & arc. Anselmo I - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto 25-Apr-2007.jpg|thumb|17th-century commemorative fresco from Bernard's grave in Milan, Italy]]
-His Kingdom of Italy was reabsorbed into the Frankish empire, and soon after bestowed upon Louis' eldest son Lothair. In 822, Louis made a display of public penance at [[Attigny, Ardennes|Attigny]], where he confessed before all the court to having sinfully slain his nephew; he also welcomed his half-brothers back into his favour. These actions possibly stemmed from guilt over his part in Bernard's death. It has been argued by some historians that his behaviour left him open to clerical domination, and reduced his prestige and respect amongst the [[Franks|Frankish]] nobility.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> Others, however, point out that Bernard's plot had been a serious threat to the stability of the kingdom, and the reaction no less a threat; Louis' display of penance, then, "was a well-judged gesture to restore harmony  and re-establish his authority."<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
+His Kingdom of Italy was reabsorbed into the Frankish empire, and soon after bestowed upon Louis' eldest son Lothair. In 822, Louis made a display of public penance at [[Attigny, Ardennes|Attigny]], where he confessed before all the court to having sinfully slain his nephew; he also welcomed his half-brothers back into his favour. These actions possibly stemmed from guilt over his part in Bernard's death. It has been argued by some historians that his behaviour left him open to clerical domination, and reduced his prestige and respect amongst the [[Franks|Frankish]] nobility.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Others, however, point out that Bernard's plot had been a serious threat to the stability of the kingdom, and the reaction no less a threat; Louis' display of penance, then, "was a well-judged gesture to restore harmony and re-establish his authority."<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
-==Ancestry==
-{{ahnentafel
-|collapsible=yes
-|collapsed=yes
-|align=center
-|ref=
-|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
-|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
-|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
-|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
-|boxstyle_5=background-color: #9fe;
-|1=1. '''Bernard of Italy'''
-|2=2. [[Pepin of Italy]]
-|4=4. [[Charlemagne]]
-|5=5. [[Hildegard of the Vinzgau]]
-|8=8. [[Pepin the Short]]
-|9=9. [[Bertrada of Laon]]
-|10=10. [[Gerold of the Vinzgau]]
-|11=11. [[:fr:Emma d'Alémanie|Emma of Alemannia]]
-|16=16. [[Charles Martel]]
-|17=17. [[Rotrude of Hesbaye]]
-|18=18. [[Charibert of Laon]]
-|20=20. Hado of the Vinzgau
-|22=22. [[Hnabi]]
-|23=23. Hereswind
-}}
 ==References==
 {{Reflist}}
-==Sources==
-*McKitterick, Rosamond, ''The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians''
-*Riché, Pierre, ''The Carolingians''
-*McKitterick, Rosamond, ''The New Cambridge History, 700–900''
 {{s-start}}
@@ Line 78: / Line 48: @@
 {{s-reg|}}
 {{s-bef|before=[[Pepin of Italy|Pepin Carloman]]}}
-{{s-ttl|title=[[King of the Lombards]]|years=8 July 810 – 17 April 818|regent1=[[Charlemagne]]|years1=810–814}}
+{{s-ttl|title=[[King of Italy]]|years=8 July 810 – 17 April 818|regent1=[[Charlemagne]]|years1=810–814}}
 {{s-aft|after=[[Lothair I]]}}
 {{s-end}}
 {{Antique Kings of Italy}}
+{{Carolingians footer}}
 {{Authority control}}
@@ Line 90: / Line 61: @@
 [[Category:9th-century kings of Italy]]
 [[Category:Herbertien dynasty]]
-[[Category:Rulers of the Carolingian Empire]]
 [[Category:Frankish warriors]]
-[[Category:Italian monarchs]]
+[[Category:Medieval child monarchs]]
-[[Category:Medieval child rulers]]
+[[Category:Frankish kings]]
-[[Category:9th-century rulers in Europe]]
-[[Category:Blind royalty and nobility]]

v t e Kings of Italy between 476 and 1556
Non-dynastic	Odoacer (476–493)
Ostrogoths	Theodoric (493–526) Athalaric (526–534) Theodahad (534–536) Vitiges (536–540) Ildibad (540–541) Eraric (541) Totila (541–552) Teia (552–553)
Lombards	Alboin (568–572) Cleph (572–574) Interregnum (574–584) Authari (584–590) Agilulf (590–616) Adaloald (616–626) Arioald (626–636) Rothari (636-652) Rodoald (652–653) Aripert I (653–661) Godepert (661–662) Perctarit (661–662) Grimoald (662–671) Garibald (671) Perctarit (671–688) Cunipert (688–689) Alahis (689) Cunipert (689–700) Liutpert (700–702) Raginpert (701) Aripert II (702–712) Ansprand (712) Liutprand (712–744) Hildeprand (744) Ratchis (744–749) Aistulf (749–756) Desiderius (756–774)
Carolingians	Charlemagne (774–814) Pepin (781–810) Bernard (810–818) Lothair I (818–855) Louis I (855–875) Charles II (875–877) Carloman (877–879) Charles III (879–887) Arnulf (896–899) Ratold (896)
Non-dynastic (title disputed 887–933)	Unruochings: Berengar I (887–924) Guideschi: Guy (889–894) Lambert (891–897) Welfs: Rudolph (922–933) Bosonids: Louis II (900–905) Hugh (926–947) Lothair II (945–950) Anscarids: Berengar II (950–963) Adalbert (950–963)
Kingdom of Italy within the Holy Roman Empire (962–1556)	Otto I (962–973) Otto II (980–983) Otto III (996–1002) Arduin I (1002–1014) Henry II (1004–1024) Conrad II (1026–1039) Henry III (1039–1056) Henry IV (1056–1105) Conrad II (1093–1101) Henry V (1106–1125) Lothair III (or II) (1125–1137) Conrad III (1138–1152) Frederick I (1154–1186) Henry VI (1186–1197) Otto IV (1209–1212) Frederick II (1212–1250) Henry VII (1311–1313) Louis IV (1327–1347) Charles IV (1355–1378) Sigismund (1431–1437) Frederick III (1452–1493) Charles V (1530–1556)

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