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| A Victorian illustration documenting Nominoë's vow of vengeance upon the Franks for killing a Breton emissary. There is no factual backing for this story. |
Spouse: Argentaela
Reign: 831 – 851
Predecessor: Morman
Summary: Brittany was already ancient when Nominoë was declared its sovereign duke in 831 by Louis I, king of the Franks. The region had been founded by Galls and Briton immigrants fleeing from post-Anglo-Saxon Conquest Britain. In the France following Charlemagne's death, civil war and rebellion was rampant. It was not entirely suppressed until 831 and a great assembly was held at Ingelheim in May of that year to establish new laws for the land. It is thought that Nominoë, a prominent Breton aristocrat, was appointed duke of Brittany during this conference. This made a lot of sense, since Nominoë was an ally of the king. Prior to his elevation, Nominoë controlled a small area around the city of Vannetais and he may have been the hereditary count of Vannes.
Despite his loyalty to King Louis I, upon the king's death in 840, he broke ties with the Frankish Empire and began raiding it regularly for financial gain. King Charles II attempted to gain the loyalty of the duke in 841, and Nominoë agreed hesitantly. In 843, the duke switched sides in the growing conflict and allied with Emperor Lothair. He then raided West Francia incessantly, and King Charles II could do absolutely nothing to stop his over-powerful magnate. In 844, a synod demanded that all rebelling lords submit to the authority of King Charles, but Nominoë refused. The duke had his own share of rebellions from within Brittany, but he was always able to suppress them. From 844, the threat of Vikings constantly hounded the coasts of Brittany, but the duke remained resolutely focused on Frankish politics. In 846, Charles finally made peace with Nominoë but the duke continued raids into West Francia, even after his formal sponsorship by Emperor Lothair ended. Nominoë died in 851 while raiding Nantes and Anjou. He was succeeded by his son, Erispoë, who began the slow transformation of Brittany from a Breton to a French state.
Despite his loyalty to King Louis I, upon the king's death in 840, he broke ties with the Frankish Empire and began raiding it regularly for financial gain. King Charles II attempted to gain the loyalty of the duke in 841, and Nominoë agreed hesitantly. In 843, the duke switched sides in the growing conflict and allied with Emperor Lothair. He then raided West Francia incessantly, and King Charles II could do absolutely nothing to stop his over-powerful magnate. In 844, a synod demanded that all rebelling lords submit to the authority of King Charles, but Nominoë refused. The duke had his own share of rebellions from within Brittany, but he was always able to suppress them. From 844, the threat of Vikings constantly hounded the coasts of Brittany, but the duke remained resolutely focused on Frankish politics. In 846, Charles finally made peace with Nominoë but the duke continued raids into West Francia, even after his formal sponsorship by Emperor Lothair ended. Nominoë died in 851 while raiding Nantes and Anjou. He was succeeded by his son, Erispoë, who began the slow transformation of Brittany from a Breton to a French state.
Date of Death: 7 March 851
Successor: Erispoë
Other Monarchs Who Died Today:
- Antoninus Pius, emperor of Rome (161)
- Heraclianus, usurping emperor of Rome (413)
- Innocent XIII, pope of Rome (1724)
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