Rex Futurus. Chrzest Rollona w kontekście wyobrażeń o władzy królewskiej w monarchii zachodniofrankijskiej na przełomie IX i X w.

Referring in his chronicle to an agreement concluded by the Norman leader and the King of West Francia Charles the Simple, which led to the emergence of the Duchy of Normandy and baptism of the pagan Normans, Dudo of Saint-Quentin noted that Rollo’s godfather was Robert, Margrave of Neustria. Despite various doubts concerning the reliability of this account, Robert’s participation is confirmed by other sources. In the Carolingian tradition the ceremony during which the king acted as godfather to a pagan leader being admitted to the Christian community was one of the most important forms of manifesting monarchical authority. The fact that during Rollo’s baptism Charles was replaced by Robert, brother of the previous King of West Franks, Odo, prompts us to re-examine their mutual relations and the margrave’s royal aspirations. An analysis of both narrative and diplomatic sources reveals that during the reign of Charles the Simple Robert frequently manifested his royal ambitions, presenting himself not only as the rightful successor of his brother, who had died heirless, but also as a defender of the kingdom against the Viking threat, thus demonstrating that he fulfilled all the obligations traditionally associated with the royal title. This is the context in which we should view his participation in Rollo’s baptism as well. Appearing in a role traditionally performed by Carolingian kings, Robert manifested his claims to the throne and suggested that it was he and not Charles the Simple who should wield power as king.