Holy Roman Emperor Charles II is known for his many familial land disputes. After receiving land from his father, emperor Louis I, Charles became embroiled in a series of civil wars among his half-brothers over the maintenance of land for succession status. However, whether or not this Carolingian ruler was actually bald remains a hotly contested point. Some historians theorize that the nickname may have been more ironic than illustrative. But some scholars have another explanation. In the 9th century, baldness provoked laughter, and those who suffered from such ridicule retorted by citing the “great bald men of the past.” If Charles was bald, it is thought he would have welcomed the association with these great historical figures.