Testament of Charlemagne

Charlemagne had intended to make a last will and testament in order to share his wealth with his daughters and the children of his concubines (his sons mostly inheriting parts of his kingdom).

Nevertheless, three years prior, he made a division of his possessions, ratified in the presence of the faithful who were called upon as witnesses.

Two of these lots were further divided into twenty-one parts, to be distributed to the recognized metropolitan cities, with each archbishopric receiving alms.

These included: Rome, Ravenna, Milan, Friuli, Grado, Cologne, Mainz, Salzburg, Trier, Sens, Besançon, Lyon, Rouen, Reims, Arles, Vienne, Tarentaise, Embrun, Bordeaux, Tours, and Bourges.

The third lot was allocated to the poor, and the fourth, to the men and maid servants on duty in the palace.