The strength and solidity for which
the kingdom was indebted to Charlemagne still subsisted under Louis the
Debonnaire in such a degree as enabled the state to support its
grandeur, and to command respect from foreign nations. The prince's
understanding was weak, but the nation was warlike. His authority
declined at home, though there seemed to be no diminution of power
abroad.
Charles Martel, Pepin, and Charlemagne were in succession rulers of
the monarchy. The first flattered the avarice of the soldiers: the other
two that of the clergy. Louis the Debonnaire displeased both.
In the French constitution, the whole power of the state was lodged
in the hands of the king, the nobility, and clergy. Charles Martel,
Pepin, and Charlemagne joined sometimes their interest with one of those
parties to check the other and generally with both; but Louis the
Debonnaire could gain the affection of neither. He disobliged the
bishops by publishing regulations which had the air of severity, because
he carried things to a greater length than was agreeable to their
inclination. Very good laws may be ill-timed. The bishops in those days,
being accustomed to take the field against the Saracens and the Saxons,
had very little of the spirit of religion.
[141]
On the other hand, as he
had no longer any confidence in the nobility, he promoted mean
people,
[142]
turning the nobles out of their employments at court to
make room for strangers and upstarts.
[143]
By this means the affections
of the two great bodies of the nobility and clergy were alienated from
their prince, the consequence of which was a total desertion.
