v09_0871 - PÉPIN II OF AQUITAINE Obole

PÉPIN II OF AQUITAINE

(839-852)

Pepin II of Aquitaine (823-865) is the eldest son of Pepin I (797-838) and the grandson of Louis the Pious. He succeeded his father Pepin I, who died on December 13, 838, by illegally seizing the throne and taking Toulouse in 843. Charles II the Bald tried to dislodge him but was forced to recognize his sovereignty over Aquitaine in exchange of the oath of vassalage. On the other hand, Pépin loses the county of Poitiers. The following years are nothing but an uninterrupted series of wars and betrayals. Toulouse and Poitiers are looted by the Normans. In 852, Pepin was delivered to Charles the Bald who had him locked up in Saint-Médard de Soissons. He escapes and revolts against his uncle again. The last ten years of his life, Pepin tries in vain to regain possession of his kingdom and dies captive in Senlis in 865.