Louis the German, also known as Louis II of East Francia or Louis II, was a significant figure in the Carolingian Empire, born around 805/806 and died on August 28, 876. He was the third son of Louis the Pious and his first wife, Ermengarde of Hesbaye.
Louis was originally appointed king of Bavaria in 817 by his father, who at that time was attempting to divide his empire among his sons. This division was formalized in the Ordinatio Imperii. However, following the death of his father and the subsequent civil wars among his brothers, Louis emerged as the ruler of East Francia after the Treaty of Verdun in 843, which divided the Carolingian Empire among the sons of Louis the Pious.
Louis was known for his efforts to maintain peace and order within his kingdom. He:
Louis died in 876 while campaigning against Moravia. His death marked the end of direct Carolingian rule in East Francia, as his sons continued to rule but with diminishing power and influence. His reign is often seen as a transitional period from the centralized Carolingian Empire to the more decentralized feudal states that characterized the High Middle Ages.