Charles the Younger

Charles the Younger
Duke of Maine
King of the Franks
Reign789–811
Coronation25 December 800
Bornc. 772
Died4 December 811
DynastyCarolingian
FatherCharlemagne
MotherHildegard

Charles the Younger (c. 772 – 4 December 811) was the son of the Frankish ruler Charlemagne and his wife Queen Hildegard. Charlemagne's second son, Charles gained favour over his older, possibly illegitimate half brother Pepin. Charles was entrusted with lands and important military commands by his father. In 800, Charlemagne was crowned emperor by Pope Leo III, and during this ceremony Charles was anointed a king. Charles was designated as the heir of the bulk of Charlemagne's lands but predeceased his father, leaving the empire to be inherited by his younger brother Louis the Pious.