A Prince Is Born
In a grand castle, on a chilly morning in 751 AD, baby cries echoed through stone halls. A tiny prince named Karlmann had just been born! His father, King Pepin the Short, smiled proudly at his new son.
"He will be strong," whispered Queen Bertrada, holding her baby close. Little did she know that one day, this baby would help rule a huge kingdom!
The castle was super busy that day. Servants ran around getting everything ready for the new prince. Knights in shiny armor stood guard. Everyone wanted to see the baby who might be king someday.
Growing Up Royal
Life as a little prince was different from regular kids. Instead of playing with toys all day, Karlmann had to learn important stuff:
• How to ride horses
• How to speak fancy words
• How to act like a prince
• How to fight with swords
• How to be brave and strong
Brothers and Best Friends
Karlmann and Charles did everything together. They raced horses in the castle yard, practiced sword fighting with wooden sticks, and learned how to be future kings from their dad.
"One day, you'll both help take care of our kingdom," King Pepin would tell them. The boys would nod seriously, trying to look as grown-up as possible.
Learning to Be a Leader
As Karlmann got bigger, he started noticing that being a prince wasn't just fun and games. Sometimes he heard his parents talking about problems in the kingdom:
"The people in the north are fighting again," his father would say with a worried face.
"And what about those Vikings?" his mother would ask. "They keep trying to steal from our villages!"
Young Karlmann would listen and think hard about how he could help when he grew up.
A Special Promise
One evening, King Pepin called both his sons to his big throne room. The room was huge, with tall windows and pretty tapestries on the walls.
"My sons," he said in his kingly voice, "someday you will both rule parts of this kingdom. You must promise to work together and keep our people safe."
"We promise, Father!" both boys said together. They meant it with all their hearts.
Growing Responsibilities
As the years went by, Karlmann learned more and more about being a leader. He started going to important meetings with his father. He helped make decisions about the kingdom. People started treating him differently – not just as a prince, but as a future ruler.
But sometimes, when nobody was looking, he still liked to race horses with his brother or practice sword fighting in the yard. After all, he was still young at heart!
The sun set over the castle walls, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Young Karlmann stood at his window, watching the knights practice below. He didn't know it yet, but his biggest adventures were just beginning…
A Kingdom Divided
The castle was very quiet on that sad day in 768 AD. King Pepin, who had ruled the Franks for many years, had died. Karlmann, now a young man of 17, stood next to his brother Charles as they said goodbye to their father.
Two Brothers, Two Kingdoms
“The kingdom must be split,” said the royal advisor, holding up an old map. “Karlmann will rule the southern lands, and Charles will rule the northern lands.”
Karlmann looked at his part of the kingdom. It had:
• Big cities with tall buildings
• Green farms with lots of food
• Strong castles to keep people safe
• Beautiful churches with gold crosses
• Brave soldiers ready to fight
New Responsibilities
“Being king is harder than I thought,” Karlmann said to his mother one day. He had to make lots of big decisions.
Queen Bertrada smiled kindly. “Your father knew you could do it. That’s why he trusted you with this kingdom.”
Brother Problems
Things started getting tricky between the brothers. They had different ideas about how to rule:
“We should help the people in Italy,” said Karlmann.
“No, we should focus on our own lands first,” Charles argued.
Making Friends and Enemies
Karlmann worked hard to be a good king. He made friends with other rulers nearby. He helped poor people get food. He built new roads so people could travel easier.
But some people didn’t like having two kings. They tried to make the brothers fight each other.
A Mother’s Wisdom
Queen Bertrada worried about her sons growing apart. One day, she called them both to her room.
“Remember when you were little?” she asked. “You promised your father you’d work together. Don’t forget that promise.”
The brothers looked at each other. Maybe their mother was right…
Looking Forward
As the sun set over both kingdoms, Karlmann stood on his castle wall. He could see his brother’s lands in the distance. Being king wasn’t easy, but he would try his best to make his father proud.
He watched as riders galloped between the two kingdoms, carrying messages back and forth. Would the brothers find a way to work together? Only time would tell…
Battles and Brothers
The morning sun sparkled on Karlmann’s armor as he led his army through the mountains. ️ It was 769 AD, and danger was coming to his kingdom.
Trouble in the South
“My king!” A scout rode up fast on his horse. “The Lombards are attacking our friends in Italy!”
Karlmann knew he had to help. The Lombards were mean warriors who wanted to take over Italy. He couldn’t let that happen.
Making Big Plans
Karlmann called his best warriors together. They sat around a big table with maps spread out.
“We must protect our friends,” Karlmann said. “But we need to be smart about it.”
His army wasn’t as big as the Lombards, but Karlmann had a clever plan. He would use the mountains to help him fight.
Friends and Helpers
Karlmann sent messages to other friendly kingdoms:
• The Bavarians promised soldiers
• The Aquitanians sent food
• The Romans offered safe places to rest
• The priests prayed for victory
• The local people helped guide the army
The Big Fight
The battle was scary but exciting. Karlmann’s soldiers hid behind rocks and jumped out to surprise the Lombards.
“For the Franks!” Karlmann shouted, leading his men forward.
A Brother’s Choice
Karlmann sent a message to Charles asking for help. But Charles was busy fighting in his own lands.
“Your brother says he cannot come,” the messenger told Karlmann.
Karlmann felt sad and angry. “Then we will win without him!”
Victory and Peace
After many days of fighting, Karlmann won! The Lombards went away, and Italy was safe.
The people cheered for Karlmann. They gave him gifts and called him “The Brave King.”
Growing Stronger
This battle made Karlmann a better king. He learned how to:
– Lead his army bravely
– Make smart plans
– Help his friends
– Solve big problems
– Trust his own ideas
Looking to Tomorrow
Back in his castle, Karlmann looked at his sword and thought about the battle. He was proud of winning, but he wished Charles had helped.
A messenger rushed in. “My king! There’s news from the north…”
Karlmann stood up quickly. What was his brother doing now?
Brothers at Odds
Dark clouds gathered over Karlmann’s castle as he read the message from the north. His brother Charles was causing trouble again.
Bad News Arrives
“Charles has taken some of your land!” the messenger said, out of breath. “He says it belongs to him now!”
Karlmann’s face turned red with anger. This wasn’t fair! They had promised to share the kingdom fairly.
A Mother’s Worry
Queen Bertrada, their mother, visited Karlmann’s castle. She looked sad.
“My sons must not fight,” she said, touching Karlmann’s arm. “Family should stay together.”
“But Mother,” Karlmann replied, “Charles isn’t being fair!”
Meeting Gone Wrong
The brothers met at a big stone church to talk. Their voices echoed off the walls.
“Those villages chose me as their king,” Charles said proudly.
“They were given to me by Father!” Karlmann shouted back.
Neither brother would listen to the other. They both left angry.
Friends Take Sides
Some nobles picked Charles’s side. Others stayed with Karlmann. Even their friends were splitting apart!
Here’s how people chose sides:
– Northern lords backed Charles
– Southern lords supported Karlmann
– The Church tried to stay neutral
– Common people just wanted peace
– Old family friends felt torn
Trying to Make Peace
Queen Bertrada worked hard to bring peace. She traveled between her sons’ castles with messages.
“Please remember you are brothers first,” she would say. “Kings second.” ❤️
The People Suffer
While the brothers fought, their kingdom had problems:
The farmers couldn’t work safely.
The traders were afraid to travel.
The nobles argued all the time.
Enemy kingdoms watched and waited. ⚔️
A Difficult Choice
Karlmann paced in his castle. Should he fight his brother? Should he give up the land?
“What would Father want?” he asked his advisor.
“He would want his sons to protect the kingdom,” the old man said wisely. “Not tear it apart.”
Strange Times
Karlmann didn’t feel well. His head hurt often, and he was always tired.
Maybe the stress of fighting with Charles was making him sick. Or maybe it was something else…
A new messenger arrived at the castle gate. He carried news that would change everything.
The Shadow Falls
Karlmann sat in his dimly lit chamber, his head pounding. The castle felt colder than usual.
Growing Weakness
“My lord, you must rest,” said Gerard, his trusted advisor. “You look pale.”
Karlmann tried to stand but wobbled. His legs felt like wet clay. “I’m fine,” he said, but his voice was weak.
Worried Whispers
The castle servants whispered in the halls:
“The king can barely eat.”
“He sleeps more and more.”
“His skin is hot like fire.”
“What will happen to us?”
Bad News Spreads
News of Karlmann’s illness traveled fast. Charles heard about it in his castle up north.
“Brother is sick?” Charles asked his messenger. “How bad is it?”
“Very bad, my lord. He can barely leave his bed now.” ️
Mother’s Return
Queen Bertrada rushed to Karlmann’s castle. She found her son burning with fever.
“My baby,” she cried, touching his hot forehead. “We must help you!”
Karlmann opened his eyes slowly. “Mother… the kingdom… Charles…”
The Healers Come
The best healers in the land came to help:
– Herb doctors with special plants
– Wise women with ancient knowledge
– Holy men with prayers
– Even doctors from far lands
A Kingdom Holds Its Breath
Everyone waited for news. Would their king get better?
The farmers prayed in their fields.
The nobles gathered in worried groups.
The children asked about their king.
Enemy kingdoms watched closely.
Charles Makes a Move
“Brother,” Charles wrote in a letter. “Let me help rule while you’re sick. Trust me.”
Karlmann’s advisors read the letter and frowned. They didn’t trust Charles’s offer.
A Queen’s Tears
Queen Bertrada stayed by her son’s bed. She sang the songs from his childhood.
“Remember when you were little?” she said softly. “You and Charles played together so happily.”
Karlmann smiled weakly. Those happy days felt very far away now.
The Future Hangs Dark
The castle doctor looked worried. “The king’s fever won’t break,” he told Gerard.
“And what of his kingdom?” Gerard asked.
“That,” said the doctor, “may be in even greater danger.”
Outside, storm clouds gathered. A cold wind blew through the castle halls. Something big was about to change… ⛈️
A Kingdom’s Fate
The winter winds howled through the castle as Karlmann took his final breath. The room fell silent.
The News Spreads
“The king is gone,” whispered Gerard, tears in his eyes. The sad news raced across the land faster than any horse could gallop.
Queen Gerberga’s Choice
Karlmann’s wife, Queen Gerberga, hugged their little son tight. “We must run,” she told her closest friends. “Charles will want the kingdom for himself.”
In the dark of night, the queen packed a small bag. She took her son and fled to a far-away land called Italy.
Charles Takes Control
Charles rode into Karlmann’s kingdom with his army. The people watched with worried faces.
“I am now your only king,” Charles told them. “I will make our land strong and big!”
A Mother’s Heart
Queen Bertrada cried for both her sons:
“One son I lost to death,
One son I watch become great.
Both were my babies once,
Now everything has changed.”
Charles Becomes Great
Charles grew stronger and stronger. People started calling him by a new name: Charlemagne, which means “Charles the Great.”
He made the kingdom bigger than ever before! Soon, he ruled most of Europe. ⚔️
Remembering Karlmann
As years passed, fewer people remembered the young king who once ruled half the kingdom. But some old stories stayed alive:
- He was brave and kind
- He loved his people
- He tried to be a good ruler
- He faced big challenges without giving up
The Story Lives On
Today, when people visit old castles in France, some still tell tales of two brother kings. They talk about how life can change fast, like leaves in the wind.
A Final Thought
Sometimes the biggest stories come from people history almost forgot. Karlmann’s short life changed the whole world by making way for his brother to become one of the most famous kings ever!
And somewhere, in old books and ancient stones, the story of the young king who ruled for just three years lives on, waiting for new people to discover it. ✨