The last Carolingian on the royal throne

Louis the Child is crowned King of East Francia

Arnolf of Carinthia cut a poor figure. The last Carolingian to be crowned emperor, his dominion had been reduced to East Francia and he fathered only a single legitimate son, Louis. Worse still, Louis was just six years old when Arnolf died. Crowned King of the East Franks on 4 February 900, Louis’ young age and weak constitution meant that his rule had to be exercised through a council. His death in 911 at the age of 17 or 18 meant the end of the once-proud lineage of the East Frankish Carolingians.

Louis was succeeded not by the West Frankish king Charles the Simple; instead the dukes of East Francia chose Conrad I, Duke of Franconia.