Louis III of France
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Louis III (c. 865 – 5 August 882), king of Western Francia, was the second son of King Louis the Stammerer and Ansgarde, and became king, jointly with his brother Carloman, on his father's death in 879.
He was a fourth generation descendant of Charlemagne.
Some nobles advocated electing him as sole king, but eventually both brothers were elected kings. Although doubts were cast upon their legitimacy, the brothers obtained recognition and in March 880 divided their father's realm at Amiens, Louis received the northern part, Francia (Neustria).
However, Duke Boso had renounced his allegiance to both brothers and had been elected King of Provence. In the summer of 880, the brothers Carloman and Louis marched against him, took Mâcon and the northern parts of Boso's realm. They united their forces with those of Charles the Fat and unsuccessfully besieged Vienne from August to November.
Louis achieved a momentous victory against the Viking pirates at the Battle of Saucourt-en-Vimeu, in 881, an event celebrated in the Old High German short poem Ludwigslied.
He died in August 882 at Saint Denis without an heir, and left his brother Carloman as the sole king.
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| Preceded by Louis II |
King of Western Francia 879 – 882 |
Succeeded by Carloman |
