As the only surviving adult son of Charlemagne and Hildegard, he became the sole ruler of the Franks after his father's death in 814, a position which he held until his death, save for the period 833–34, during which he was deposed.
Ia adalah putra Charlemagne and Hildegard, ia menjadi pemimpin tunggal Franka setelah kematian ayahandanya pada tahun 814, jabatan yang dipegangnya sampai kematiannya, selain pada tahun 833–34, dimana ia dipecat.