HST3155   Breaking up (in) the Carolingian Empire   (20 credits)

Description

In 858, an event took place that scandalised Europe. At a public assembly, a Frankish king, Lothar II, accused his wife Theutberga of the most outrageous crimes, in order to secure a divorce so he could marry his mistress Waldrada. Yet despite his best efforts, and to everyone's surprise, Lothar failed to get his way - and so his kingdom spiralled into crisis, exacerbated by Viking attacks, interfering popes and predatory uncles. This Special Subject concentrates on this crisis, and the rich documentation it produced, to investigate the politics, society and culture of early medieval Europe under the Carolingian kings.

Reading List