Biography of Odo I King West Franks 857-898

Around 857 Odo I King West Franks was born to Robert "Strong" King West Francia (age 27).

Assers Life of Alfred 887. 887. 85. Division of the Empire.²¹⁶ In that same year Charles²¹⁷, King of the Franks, went the way of all flesh; but Arnolf, his brother's son, six weeks before he died, had expelled him from the kingdom. Immediately after his death five kings were ordained, and the kingdom was split into five parts; but the principal seat of the kingdom justly and deservedly fell to Arnolf, were it not that he had shamefully sinned against his uncle. The other four kings promised fidelity and obedience to Arnolf, as was meet; for none of these four kings was heir to the kingdom on his father's side, as was Arnolf; therefore, though the five kings were ordained immediately upon the death of Charles, yet the Empire remained to Arnolf. Such, then, was the division of that realm; Arnolf received the countries to the east of the river Rhine; Rudolf (age 28) the inner part of the kingdom²¹⁸; Odo (age 30) the western part; Berengar and Wido, Lombardy, and those countries which are on that side of the mountain. But they did not keep such and so great dominions in peace among themselves, for they twice fought a pitched battle, and often mutually ravaged those kingdoms, and drove one another out of their dominions.

Note 216. From the Chronicle.

Note 217. Charles the Fat (age 47).

Note 218. Burgundy.

In 888 Odo I King West Franks (age 31) was elected King of the Franks.