- AKA: Frederick the Red Beard
- 1155-1190: Holy Roman Emporer as Frederick I von Schwaben
- 1155-1190: King of Italy
- 1152-1190: King of Germany
- 1152-1190: King of Burgundy
- 1147-1152: Duke of Swabia as Frederick III von Schwaben
- 1147: Veteran of 2nd Crusade
- 1190: Veteran of 3rd Crusade
- House of Hohenstaufen
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Friedrich I Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire, Count of Burgundy, was born 1122 in Ravensburg, Ravensburg District, Baden-Württemberg, Germany to Friedrich II von Schwaben (1090-1147) and Judith von Bayern (c1103-1131) and died 10 June 1190 Turkey of unspecified causes. He married Adela von Vohburg (1128-1187) 1147 JL . He married Béatrice I de Bourgogne (1145-1184) 9 June 1156 JL in Würzburg.
Biography
Frederick I, commonly known as Frederick Barbarossa (Red Beard), was a prominent figure in the history of the Holy Roman Empire during the 12th century. He was born in 1122 in Swabia, a region in present-day Germany. Frederick Barbarossa is renowned for his military campaigns, his attempts to consolidate imperial authority, and his role in shaping the political landscape of medieval Europe.
Frederick Barbarossa's reign symbolizes the challenges and aspirations of the Holy Roman Empire during the High Middle Ages. His military campaigns, political maneuvering, and conflicts with the papacy shaped the political and social landscape of medieval Europe. Today, he is remembered as one of the most prominent figures of his time and a significant ruler in the history of the Holy Roman Empire.
Early Reign:
Frederick Barbarossa ascended to the throne in 1152, succeeding Conrad III as the Holy Roman Emperor. From the beginning of his reign, he sought to establish a strong central authority and restore the empire's former glory. Frederick faced significant challenges, including rebellious vassals, territorial disputes, and conflicts with neighboring powers.
Italian Campaigns:
One of the defining aspects of Frederick Barbarossa's reign was his involvement in the Italian peninsula. He aimed to assert imperial control over the various city-states and regions of northern Italy, which were fragmented and engaged in constant power struggles. Frederick launched several military campaigns in Italy, seeking to consolidate his authority and secure the allegiance of the Italian cities.
During his Italian campaigns, Frederick engaged in numerous conflicts, including battles against the Lombard League, a coalition of cities opposed to imperial control. His most notable military endeavor was the Battle of Legnano in 1176, where he suffered a decisive defeat against the Lombard League. This event marked a turning point in Frederick's ambitions in Italy and led to negotiations for a peace settlement.
Conflict with the Papacy:
Frederick Barbarossa's relationship with the papacy was tumultuous. During his reign, the papacy, led by various popes, sought to assert its authority and independence from imperial influence. This clash of power and interests resulted in a long-standing conflict between the empire and the papacy.
One of the most significant episodes of this conflict was the Investiture Controversy. The Investiture Controversy revolved around the question of who held the authority to appoint and invest bishops and abbots with their ecclesiastical offices. It was a power struggle between the Holy Roman Emperor and the papacy over the control of these appointments.
Frederick Barbarossa clashed with several popes during his reign, most notably Pope Alexander III. The conflict escalated to the point where Frederick supported an antipope, Victor IV, against Alexander III. However, the schism was eventually resolved, and Frederick came to terms with the papacy, recognizing Alexander III as the legitimate pope.
Third Crusade
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Path of the Third Crusade, Frederick Barbarossa's path in red
Around 23 November 1187, Frederick received letters that had been sent to him from the rulers of the Crusader states in the Near East urging him to come to their aid. Around 1 December, Cardinal Henry of Marcy preached a crusade sermon before Frederick and a public assembly in Strasbourg. Frederick expressed support for the crusade but declined to take the cross on the grounds of his ongoing conflict with Archbishop Philip of Cologne. He did, however, urge King Philip II of France to take the cross through messengers and then in a personal meeting on 25 December on the border between Ivois and Mouzon.[1]
Legacy and Death:
Despite encountering setbacks and challenges, Frederick Barbarossa left a lasting impact on the Holy Roman Empire and European history. He worked to strengthen the imperial administration, enacted legal reforms, and established the "Landfrieden," a system of peace and order throughout the empire. Frederick also initiated the codification of German law, which contributed to the development of the legal system.
Sadly, Frederick Barbarossa's life was cut short. In 1190, while leading the Third Crusade to the Holy Land, he drowned in the Saleph River in modern-day Turkey. His unexpected death during the campaign was a blow to the Holy Roman Empire and marked the end of an era.
Marriage and Family
1st Marriage: Adelheid of Vohburg
Frederick's first marriage, to Adelheid of Vohburg, did not produce any children and was annulled.[2]
2nd Marriage: Beatrice of Burgundy
From his second marriage, to Beatrice of Burgundy,[2] he had the following children:[3] Beatrice, also known as Beatrix, was the daughter of Renaud III, Count of Burgundy. Their marriage took place in 1156 and was part of a strategic alliance between the House of Hohenstaufen (Frederick's dynasty) and the House of Burgundy.
It's worth noting that while Frederick Barbarossa had sons who held significant titles and positions, none of his male descendants managed to maintain the unity and authority of the Holy Roman Empire after his death. The Hohenstaufen dynasty faced internal conflicts, external pressures, and the challenges of ruling over a vast and diverse empire. Ultimately, the dynasty fell into decline by the end of the 13th century.
- Beatrice (end 1162/early 1163 – at least early 1174/1179). King William II of Sicily first asked for her hand but the marriage negotiations never came through. She married Guillaume (II) count of Chalon in 1173 and was mother to Beatrix, countess of Chalon.[4]
- Friedrich V von Schwaben (1167-1191), Duke of Swabia: Frederick, born in 1164, held the title of Duke of Swabia. He played a crucial role in his brother Henry VI's rule and supported him in his ambitions for the Kingdom of Sicily.
- Heinrich VI of the Holy Roman Empire (1165-1197)[2] Born in 1165, Henry succeeded his father as the Holy Roman Emperor. He married Constance of Sicily, the daughter of King Roger II, and through this marriage, he gained control over the Kingdom of Sicily. Henry VI's reign marked a significant expansion of Hohenstaufen power and influence.
- Conrad (Modigliana, February 1167 – Acre, 20 January 1191), later renamed Frederick VI, Duke of Swabia after the death of his older brother.[2]
- Gisela (October/November 1168 – end 1184). She was betrothed to Richard, Count of Poitou (later King of England) but died before they could be married.
- Otto I de Bourgogne (1170-1200)[2], Duke of Swabia: Otto, born in 1170, was another son of Frederick Barbarossa. He inherited the title of Duke of Swabia after his brother Frederick V's death. Otto was known for his military prowess and his involvement in the political affairs of the empire.
- Konrad von Schwaben (1172-1196)[2] Duke of Swabia: Conrad, born in 1172, was the youngest son of Frederick Barbarossa. He also held the title of Duke of Swabia, succeeding his brother Otto. Conrad played a prominent role in the political and military events of his time.
- Renaud (October/November 1173 – before April 1174/soon after October 1178).
- William (June/July 1175 – soon after October 1178).
- Philip (February/March 1177 – killed, Bamberg, 21 June 1208) King of Germany in 1198.[2]
- Agnes (early 1179 – 8 October 1184). She was betrothed to King Emeric of Hungary but died before they could be married.
- Possibly Clemence, wife of Sancho VII of Navarre.
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Sophie of the Holy Roman Empire (c1161-1187) | |||
| Beatrix of the Holy Roman Empire (c1161-bef1174) | |||
| Friedrich of the Holy Roman Empire (1164-c1169) | |||
| Heinrich VI of the Holy Roman Empire (1165-1197) | November 1165 Nijmegen | 28 September 1197 Messina | Constance of Sicily (1154-1198) |
| Friedrich V von Schwaben (1167-1191) | |||
| Gisela of the Holy Roman Empire (1168-1184) | |||
| Otto I de Bourgogne (1170-1200) | 1170 | 13 January 1200 | Marguerite de Blois (c1170-1230) |
| Konrad von Schwaben (1172-1196) | |||
| Rainald of the Holy Roman Empire (1173-?) | |||
| Wilhelm of the Holy Roman Empire (1176-?) | |||
| Philipp von Schwaben (1177-1208) | August 1177 | 21 June 1208 Bamberg | Irene Angeline (c1179-1208) |
| Agnes of the Holy Roman Empire (c1179-1184) | |||
Siblings
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Friedrich I Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire (1122-1190) | 1122 Ravensburg, Ravensburg District, Baden-Württemberg, Germany | 10 June 1190 Turkey | Adela von Vohburg (1128-1187) Béatrice I de Bourgogne (1145-1184) |
| Bertha von Schwaben (c1124-c1194) | 1124 | 1194 | Mathieu I de Lorraine (c1119-1176) |
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Jutta von Schwaben (1133-1191) | 1133 | 7 July 1191 | Ludwig II. von Thüringen (1128-1172) |
| Konrad der Staufer (1136-1195) | 1136 | November 1195 | ? von Sponheim (?-c1159) Irmgard von Henneberg (c1146-1197) |
| Liutgard von Schwaben (?-aft1155) | |||
See Also
- Frederick Barbarossa
- Frederick Barbarossa Family Ancestry
- Holy Roman Emporer
- Von Schwaben Family
- Frederick von Schwaben
Bibliographies
- Otto of Freising and his continuator Rahewin, The deeds of Frederick Barbarossa tr. Charles Christopher Mierow with Richard Emery. New York: Columbia University Press, 1953. Reprinted: Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1994.
- Ibn al-Athir
- Romuald of Salerno. Chronicon in Rerum Italicarum scriptores.
- Otto of Sankt Blasien
- The "Bergamo Master". Carmen de gestis Frederici I imperatoris in Lombardia.
- Chronicon Vincentii Canonici Pragensis in Monumenta historica Boemiae by Fr. Gelasius Dobner (1764)[1]
External Links
- wikipedia:en:Frederick Barbarossa
- Friedrich I 'Barbarossa' Hohenstaufen, Holy Roman Emperor at thePeerage
- Frederick Barbarossa, Geni.com, https://www.geni.com/people/Friedrich-I-Barbarossa-Holy-Roman-Emperor/5020177483010087236, retrieved 22 June 2023
- Ancestry of German Kings and Emporers, fmg.ac, https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/GERMANY,%20Kings.htm, retrieved 22 June 2023
- MSN Encarta – Frederick I (Holy Roman Empire) (Archived 2009-10-31)
- Famous Men of the Middle Ages – Frederick Barbarossa
- Charter given by Emperor Frederick for the bishopric of Bamberg showing the Emperor's seal, 6 April 1157. Taken from the collections of the Lichtbildarchiv älterer Originalurkunden at Marburg University
Royal Succession Charts
Friedrich I Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire (1122-1190) Born: 1122 Died: 1190
| ||
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Conrad III |
King of Germany 1152–1190 |
Succeeded by Henry VI |
| King of Italy 1155–1190 | ||
| Preceded by Lothair III |
King of Arles 1152–1190 | |
| Holy Roman Emperor 1155–1190 | ||
| Preceded by Frederick II |
Duke of Swabia 1147–1152 |
Succeeded by Frederick IV |
| Preceded by Beatrice I as sole ruler |
Count of Burgundy 1156–1190 with Beatrice I |
Succeeded by Otto I |
References
- ^ Freed 2016, p. 471.
- ^ a b c d e f g Gislebertus (of Mons), Chronicle of Hainaut, transl. Laura Napran, (Boydell Press, 2005), 55 note245.
- ^ Erwin Assmann: Friedrich Barbarossas Kinder In: German Archives for Research into the Middle Ages, Vol. 33 (1977), pp. 435–472, footnote p. 459.
- ^ Anselme de Sainte-Marie, Augustin (1726) (in FR). Histoire généalogique et chronologique de la maison royale de France, des pairs, grands officiers de la Couronne, de la Maison du Roy et des anciens barons du royaume.... Tome 8 / par le P. Anselme,... ; continuée par M. Du Fourny. p. 62. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k76084q.
Footnotes (including sources)
| This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Frederick II, Duke of Swabia. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License. |