When Charlemagne approached the end of his life, he had but one remaining son to inherit the empire. That one son, Louis the Pious, was less fortunate. Upon his death, the empire was passed on to three sons, who each took a distinct part, of which the middle part ultimately vanished into history. The division went as follows: Lothair I - Middle Francia. Technically he was also the new Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Louis the German - East Francia Charles the Bald - West Francia