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in: Von Staufen (surname), Born in 1165, Died in 1197,
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Heinrich VI of the Holy Roman Empire (1165-1197)

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 Wikipedia
  • 1191-1197: Holy Roman Emporer
  • 1169-1197: King of the Romans (Germany)
  • 1186-1197: King of Italy
  • 1194-1197: King of Sicily

Heinrich VI of the Holy Roman Empire, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Burgundy, King of Sicily, was born November 1165 in Nijmegen to Friedrich I Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire (1122-1190) and Béatrice I de Bourgogne (1145-1184) and died 28 September 1197 Messina of malaria. He married Constance of Sicily (1154-1198) 25 May 1194 JL .

Biography

Henry VI, born on November 11, 1165, was the son of Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, also known as Frederick Barbarossa. Henry succeeded his father as the German king and Holy Roman Emperor upon Frederick's death in 1190. He was a member of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, which played a significant role in the medieval history of the Holy Roman Empire.

During his reign, Henry VI pursued a policy of expanding his authority and influence across the Empire and beyond. He sought to strengthen the central power of the monarchy and assert imperial control over the German territories and various Italian city-states. To accomplish this, he implemented administrative reforms and established a centralized legal system. He also engaged in military campaigns to suppress rebellions and enforce imperial authority.

One of Henry VI's notable achievements was his marriage to Constance of Sicily, heiress to the Kingdom of Sicily. Through this union, he gained a claim to the Kingdom and aspired to establish a powerful Hohenstaufen dynasty. In 1194, Henry and Constance were crowned as the King and Queen of Sicily. Their son, Frederick II, would later become one of the most prominent Hohenstaufen rulers.

Henry VI's reign, however, was marked by controversy and conflict. His ambitions in Italy and his attempts to exert control over the Papal States created tensions with the papacy. Pope Celestine III and his successor, Pope Innocent III, opposed Henry's actions and viewed him as a threat to the Church's authority. This resulted in a series of conflicts between the Empire and the Papal States.

In 1197, Henry VI died unexpectedly at the age of 31. His sudden death led to a power struggle and instability within the Empire. The subsequent period saw various claimants vying for the throne, leading to a period of instability known as the Interregnum.

Overall, Henry VI's reign as Holy Roman Emperor was characterized by attempts to consolidate imperial power, expansion into Italy, and conflicts with the papacy. While his reign was relatively short, it left a significant impact on the political landscape of the Holy Roman Empire and the Italian peninsula during the Middle Ages.

Family and Children

Henry VI married Constance of Sicily, the daughter of Roger II, King of Sicily, in 1186. Their marriage played a crucial role in Henry's ambitions to expand his power and establish a Hohenstaufen dynasty that would rule over both Germany and Sicily. Heinrich died young (age 31) leaving only one child.

  1. Friedrich II was born in 1194 and later became one of the most renowned Hohenstaufen rulers. He succeeded his father as King of Sicily and Holy Roman Emperor and went on to play a significant role in the politics of the Holy Roman Empire and Italy. Frederick II is often remembered as a patron of science and culture and was known for his intellectual pursuits.


Children


Offspring of Heinrich VI of the Holy Roman Empire and Constance of Sicily (1154-1198)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Friedrich II of the Holy Roman Empire (1195-1250) 15 December 1194 Jesi, Italy 13 December 1250 Lucera, Italy



Siblings


Offspring of Friedrich I Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire (1122-1190) and Béatrice I de Bourgogne (1145-1184)
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)


See Also

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

Contemporary Sources

The best and earliest sources about the life and reign of Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor, can be found in contemporary chronicles and documents from the medieval period. Some of the notable sources include:

  1. Annales Palidenses: This chronicle, also known as the "Palatine Annals," provides a detailed account of the events during the reign of Henry VI. It was written by an anonymous author from the Palatinate and covers the period from 1168 to 1231. The chronicle includes information about Henry's marriage to Constance of Sicily, his campaigns in Italy, and his conflicts with the papacy.
  2. Chronica regia Coloniensis: This chronicle, written by an anonymous author from Cologne, covers the period from 1167 to 1233. It provides valuable information about Henry VI's reign, including his election as king, his coronation as Holy Roman Emperor, and his policies in Germany and Italy.
  3. Gesta Friderici I. imperatoris: Also known as the "Deeds of Frederick I, Emperor," this work was written by Otto of Freising, a prominent medieval historian and bishop. While it primarily focuses on the reign of Henry's father, Frederick I, it also provides insights into the early years of Henry VI's reign.
  4. Chronica regia Casinensis: This chronicle, written by Leo of Ostia, covers the period from 1191 to 1232. It contains information about Henry VI's activities in Italy, his relationships with Italian city-states, and his attempts to assert control over the Papal States.
  5. Letters and charters: Contemporary letters and charters issued by Henry VI and his officials can provide insights into the political and administrative aspects of his reign. They often address matters of governance, alliances, and conflicts, shedding light on the dynamics of Henry's rule.

Royal Succession Charts

Heinrich VI of the Holy Roman Empire (1165-1197)
Born: 1165 Died: 1197
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Frederick I 		King of Germany
1169–1197 		Succeeded by
Philip of Swabia & Otto IV
Holy Roman Emperor
King of Italy
1191–1197 		Succeeded by
Otto IV
Preceded by
William III 		King of Sicily
with Constance
1194 –1197 		Succeeded by
Constance

References



Footnotes (including sources)

Rtol, Thurston, MainTour

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