• Born: Summer 953, Laon, Aisne, Picardy, France
• Married: Abt 970
• Died: 12 Jun 991, Kerker, Orléans, France

  Research Notes:

Twin with his brother Henri. Flodoard records the birth of twins to "Gerberga regina" in 953 "unus Karolus, alter Heinricus, sed Henricus mox post baptismum defunctus est". Flodoard records war between "Karolum regis filium fratrem" and "Godefridum atque Arnulfum, Lotharienses comites" in 975.

Banished from the Frankish court after accusing Queen Emma of adultery with Adalbero Bishop of Laon, he sought refuge at the court of Emperor Otto II who created him Duke of Lower Lotharingia in May 977 at Diedenhofen. The Gesta Episcoporum Cameracensium record that "Karolum ducem, regis Lotharii fratrem" had been granted Lotharingia by Emperor Otto. During Emperor Otto's campaign against his brother King Lothaire, Duke Charles captured Laon in 978 and was proclaimed King of the Franks by Dietrich Bishop of Metz. He claimed the French throne after the death of his brother in 986, and that of his nephew in 987. He captured Laon in [May] 988, and Reims in [Aug/Sep] 989, thanks to his nephew Arnoul Archbishop of Reims. He was captured at Laon 30 Mar 991 with his wife and children and taken to Senlis. Richer records that "Karolum…cum uxore Adelaide et filio Ludovico, et filiabus duabus, quarum altera Gerberga, altera Adelaidis dicebatur, necnon et Arnulfo nepote" were imprisoned. From there, they were imprisoned by Hugues Capet King of France at Orléans, where he died. "Otto…rex" donated property "Vvalbisci in comitatu Karoli comitis" to Quedlinburg by charter dated 6 Jan 992. It is assumed that this refers to Charles ex-Duke of Lotharingia as no other Count Charles or Karl has been identified in Germany at the time. If this is correct, the charter demonstrates that Charles was still recognised with a title in Germany after his capture by the French, although this was "comes" rather than "dux".

The necrology of Liège Saint-Lambert records the death "X Kal Jul" of "Karoli ducis". Sigebert records that "Karolus dux" died in 991 and that "Otto filius eius" succeeded in the duchy of Lotharingia. ¹