# Lothair II of Lotharingia

> King of Lotharingia from 855 to 869

**Wikidata**: [Q298945](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298945)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lothair_II)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lothair-ii-of-lotharingia

## Summary
Lothair II of Lotharingia was a King and human who ruled the medieval kingdom of Lotharingia from 855 to 869. As a monarch within the Carolingian dynasty, he governed a territory that emerged from the fragmentation of the Carolingian Empire and Middle Francia.

## Biography
*   **Known for:** Ruling as King of Lotharingia from 855 to 869.
*   **Field(s):** Monarchy, Governance.

## Contributions
Lothair II served as the monarch of Lotharingia, a former medieval kingdom and duchy that existed from 855 to 959. His reign began following the inception of the kingdom on January 1, 855. He inherited the political legacy of the Carolingian Empire (800–888) and the subsequent realm of Middle Francia, which was established in 843. His leadership spanned 14 years, during which he managed the affairs of the kingdom before his death in 869.

## FAQs
**Who was Lothair II of Lotharingia?**
Lothair II was a King and human defined by his role as the ruler of Lotharingia from 855 until 869.

**What historical entities preceded Lothair II's rule?**
His rule was preceded by the Carolingian Empire, the final stage of early medieval Frankish history starting in 800, and Middle Francia, a former country established in 843.

**How long did the Kingdom of Lotharingia exist?**
The kingdom and subsequent duchy of Lotharingia existed from its inception in 855 until 959, with Lothair II ruling for the first 14 years of this period until 869.

## Why They Matter
Lothair II matters historically as a key figure in the post-Carolingian fragmentation of Western Europe. His rule over Lotharingia represents a critical bridge between the unified Carolingian Empire and the later political structures of the region. By governing a territory carved out of Middle Francia, he played a role in the transition of power dynamics following the Treaty of Verdun, influencing the geopolitical boundaries that would define the medieval era.

## Notable For
*   Serving as King of Lotharingia from 855 to 869.
*   Being a monarch within the Carolingian dynasty.
*   Ruling a territory that originated from the Carolingian Empire (800–843) and Middle Francia (843).
*   Governing during the inception period of the Kingdom of Lotharingia.

## Body

### Royal Identity and Classification
Lothair II is classified as a human and a monarch. He is identified specifically as a "King" and a "writer" in historical records, though his primary notability stems from his sovereignty. As a member of the Carolingian lineage, his identity is intrinsically linked to the broader history of the Franks and the early medieval aristocracy.

### Historical Context and Predecessors
The reign of Lothair II must be understood through the context of the Carolingian Empire. This empire, described as the final stage in the history of the early medieval realm of the Franks, was ruled by the Carolingian dynasty from 800 until 843. Following the dissolution of the empire in 843, Middle Francia emerged as a distinct entity. Middle Francia existed as a former country with its inception dated to 843. Lothair II's domain, Lotharingia, was a direct successor to these political entities.

### The Kingdom of Lotharingia
Lotharingia is defined as a former medieval kingdom and duchy that lasted from 855 to 959. The inception of this kingdom is precisely dated to January 1, 855. Lothair II ascended to the throne at this time, ruling as king until 869. The kingdom itself held significant strategic importance, evolving from a kingdom into a duchy that persisted nearly a century after his death. The entity is noted as a distinct political unit separate from its predecessors, the Carolingian Empire and Middle Francia.

## References

1. La Préhistoire des Capétiens
2. Integrated Authority File
3. The Peerage
4. Mirabile: Digital Archives for Medieval Culture
5. general catalog of BnF
6. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
7. BnF authorities
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. British Museum person-institution thesaurus
10. [Source](http://genealogy.euweb.cz/carolin/carolin1.html#L1A)
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. Czech National Authority Database
13. Sejm-Wielki.pl
14. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
15. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands